Who are the footballers in demand for the 2022 M-League season?
According to football agent Faidauz Azhar, seven local players and one foreigner have caught the attention of M-League clubs because of their performance last year.
The seven local players are Zahril Azri Zabri, Nasir Bashiruddin, Azhad Harraz Arman, S.Kumaahran, Khairu Azrin Khazali, Syafiq Ahmad and Fazry Mazlan. The foreigner player is Sony Norde.
Last season, Azhad Harraz Arman, 18-year-old, had scored eight goals for the FAM-NSC Project Squad in the Premier League.
Kumaaahran was on target four times for Melaka United in the Super League and Two times in the Malaysia Cup.
Lethal striker Syafiq from Johor Darul Ta’zim will go on borrowed to Kedah.
Faidauz said Sarawak united midfielder Zahril has attracted enquiries from Terengganu, Sri Pahang, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, KL City and PJ City.
“Of course, Sarawak United are keen to renew his contract,” said Faidauz.
“These are the local ones who are ‘hot’ that I know of. As for foreign players, I would say Norde. Top teams are looking at him like teams from Kedah, Sabah, Selangor and KL City.”
“Strikers are always in demand while teams are also looking for players in certain positions. But, there has been no demand for foreign goalkeepers.
“The foreign players for the 2022 season will mostly be ‘reused’ among the teams.”
However, Faidauz revealed that local footballers are not in a position to demand high salaries like before. Privatisation of the M-League has led to team being more cautious in their spending.
“In contracts last season, there were a few players received good packages. But it is not like before as clubs are more careful with their budgets.
“There are still some who have big salaries, but this is not the normal anymore. This is because of players now cannot demand.”
He pointed out that players still face the issue of not getting paid for December every season as their contracts end in November. Some teams also start paying salaries in January.
Source: Farah Azharie (NST.COM.MY)
