Over the past week, a number of uncertain issues that City fans have been looking for answers for have been clarified by a source within the football industry for Talking City. From the imminent departure of big-name players to returns from injury and COVID-enforced travel, here’s some of the big news items from around the club:
Club legends Catley and Williams set for dream moves
There’s been plenty of speculation surrounding Catley’s future club situation, with the full-back most closely linked with former-City coach Joe Montemurro at Arsenal in the English FAWSL, but Lydia Williams has also been named as another City W-League star who is on her way out the door. There's been no confirmation of a destination club for either player as of yet, however.
Both Catley and Williams alluded to their European dreams in separate Beyond Football podcast episodes, explaining that the full-length professional season – and more importantly, full-length off-season – would be a welcomed respite from their intense schedule over the past handful of years where the pair had been constantly jetting between America’s NWSL and Australia’s W-League without an off-season to rest and recover. The toll, they say, was becoming of physical and mental detriment to them as players and people.
Catley would depart the club with 62 appearances and 4 W-League titles, whilst Williams leaves with 52 appearances and 3 titles. Both deserve to go down in City history as two of our greatest ever – influential leaders who showed us as fans the human side of football.
Hendry gone, Windbichler back
With Windbichler said to be back at full health following a season-derailing hamstring injury, his replacement signing Jack Hendry has departed Melbourne City, returning to his parent club to further his physical recovery.
Hendry made just two appearances for City before sustaining an unfortunate MCL injury just minutes before the final whistle of our loss to Adelaide United away from home in February.
Windbichler has made three league appearances this season and will be hoping to add to that tally when the campaign resumes, as well as in 2020/21 when he will be in the second and final year of his contract.
Getting Luna back into the country
Adrián Luna is said to be eager to return to Melbourne City after returning home to his family during the Coronavirus lockdown period. The club are presently working to arrange flights back into Melbourne, with the player expected to comply with the mandatory 14-day self-isolation period for returning travellers.
Luna was the only City VISA player who didn’t remain in Australia during lockdown.
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