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Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
December 13, 2012 |
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Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
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Amid rumours out of the Netherlands that Atiba Hutchinson has turned down a contract extension from his current club, Dutch powerhouse PSV, the 2012 Male Canadian Player of Year confirmed today that he is most likely looking to move on to another club and league when his contract expires in the summer.
During a conference call arranged with members of the Canadian media to discuss his being named as the male selection for the 2012 BMO Canadian Players of the Year awards, Hutchinson was asked whether or not he would consider a move to Major League Soccer at this point in his career. The classy Canadian International was forthright in dispelling that possibility with respect to his next contract, but did indicate that he would like to play professionally in North America a few years down the line.
“It’s been a thought of mine. I’ve been in Europe for quite some time now. I’d like to have another contract out here in Europe, maybe another 2-3 years and then see what happens after that. But I would definitely like to experience the MLS and maybe play in Canada for one of the Canadian teams. That would be nice,” said Hutchinson.
The Brampton, Ontario native was further pressed when he was asked whether or not he would seriously consider the MLS if a Designated Player offer with a significant salary was offered to him, but the 62 times capped Canadian International reiterated that he is focused on Europe at this point in his career.
“At this precise moment, I don’t think I would consider (MLS). I’d still like to see if I can go to a higher league in Europe. Like I have said, England would be a dream come true for me. I still have thoughts on staying here for another couple of years and then after that we will see what could come from any of the MLS teams, especially those in Canada. It’s definitely a thought of mine to finish off playing in Canada,” stressed Hutchinson. “I would like to continue playing at a high level and being out here (in Europe) and still learning as much as I can.”
In terms of the leagues in which Hutchinson has his eyes on, the 2010 Danish Superliga Player of the Year admitted that he was setting his sights high and that he is very interested in exploring opportunities in England, Germany and Spain.
“England and Germany are definitely two of the leagues that are appealing to me. They get great crowds, they have a number of good teams and both are competitive leagues. Also the Spanish league would be very interesting for me. I think the one that I am really hoping for – and I have always been very ambitious about – is England. I would really love to play there at some point in my career. I think now would be the perfect time if something was to come up. Obviously it is a tough league. We’ll see what happens.”
Hutchinson was also quick to tout the merits of playing in the Netherlands and he admitted that he believes he has improved as a player since signing a 3 year contract with PSV in April of 2010.
“Definitely Holland is the perfectly league to come to in order to develop as a player because you are playing with such good players, especially the players I have here with PSV. It has been a very good learning process and I hope it can continue that way and then we will see what happens.”
Given that Hutchinson will be 30 years old in February, it is not likely that his next contract will be his last significant one. However, money will likely be a major factor in terms of where Hutchinson lands next. While he has in all likelihood made good money during his career to date, the majority of his professional career has been spent in Scandinavia, where taxes are generally higher than in other countries in Europe, with Denmark in particular being a country that is famous for having a very high tax rate that is used to fund very generous social programs.
Therefore, you have to wonder if Hutchinson still might be tempted by an offer similar to the one that lured Julian de Guzman back to his hometown of Toronto back in 2009. Certainly, both Vancouver and Toronto are clubs that would benefit greatly by the presence of a midfielder of Hutchinson’s pedigree, skill and talent in their midfields.
That said, it appears that in many ways Hutchinson is looking at his next move in the context a very pure love of the game. He has labeled the possibility of playing in England as something that he has always dreamed of. So if he receives an offer from England that is satisfactory in terms of remuneration and opportunity, it’s hard to imagine that he would not take it. In many ways, Hutchinson’s career has been one of a very steady progression upwards in terms of the quality of leagues that he has played in. So finishing his European career in England or Germany would seem like the obvious next step for a player who has proven himself as a starter and a very effective player in the Dutch top flight.
Of course the fortunes of clubs can change just as quickly as those of an individual player. Therefore, there are certainly scenarios in which Hutchinson could still likely be convinced to stay with PSV. Should the Boeren qualify for the Champions League, along say with a midfielder such as Kevin Strootman transferring to a bigger club in Europe, as has been rumoured, Hutchinson could then just decide that the opportunity to play for a Dutch Championship team in the Champions League while taking up his preferred spot in central midfield would be something that is just too good to pass up.
This, however, seems unlikely given the intentions he has expressed to date. Most signs point to Hutchinson wanting and being able to step up in competition one last time, to one of the top three leagues in Europe. Each presents its own positives and negatives. A move to England would have him in the biggest stage in the world, but likely with a mid-to-lower table side. La Liga would give him an opportunity to step on the field against two of the biggest clubs in football, but with that comes a league that struggles financially outside of those teams. Germany would be perhaps the least satisfying in terms of checking off one of his career goals, but is the most stable with best supported teams on the continent.
Regardless of where he ends up, one thing that is certain is that Atiba Hutchinson will continue to be a very interesting to player to watch both on the pitch and in terms of where his career takes him in the next six months.
So it appears that the player who is arguably the best Canadian player in the world at the moment will have a major decision to make over the course of 2013. Certainly, his agent is already putting out feelers and likely hoping to lay the groundwork for his client’s next contract in the January transfer window.
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