Breaking down the Younghusbands’ transfer to Davao Aguilas FC

The Filipino football community was stunned by speculation that Phil and James Younghusband, longtime members of FC Meralco Manila and the most recognizable names in Philippine football, were linked to new boys Davao Aguilas of the Philippines Football League.

The rumor mills were going overdrive, and it only came to a halt when confirmation of the transfer was announced: James Younghusband, captain of Meralco, and Phil Younghusband, its leading scorer and the face of the franchise, were moving to Davao.

To begin to understand the magnitude of the transfer and its significance, one must start by looking at the current league table, where FC Meralco Manila, with the brothers at its helm, were leading the league at one point and are on course to finish in the top four places, which would guarantee themselves a slot in the year-ending playoffs.

Davao Aguilas on the other hand, were on the wrong end of the table without even a single victory to their name, albeit coming close on occasion. The transfer of the Younghusbands, together with the recent acquisitions of Matthew Hartmann (Global), Simone Rota (Ceres) and Jason de Jong (Ceres) would very likely see that situation change in no time.

With the greatest of respect to Davao, players of the Younghusbands’ caliber, if they move, do so to contending teams - teams, who are likely to contend for the title, if not already able to do so.

After all, it is a bit difficult to see Neymar Jr. move from FC Barcelona to second from last Osasuna in La Liga, to cite an example.

The players’ move therefore, could be construed in many ways. Perhaps the ambition of the owners — willingness of the new team to spend for players where the previous team might not be too eager — was a major factor.

A better financial package, with a reported longer duration of the contract, will be difficult to ignore, and knowing fully well the state of Philippine football, this will not and should not be taken against any Filipino football player plying his trade in the Philippines.

The allure of playing every other game in front of a few thousand spectators in Davao, as compared to a few hundred at best in Manila, could be another bonus, even if a minor one.

Whatever the reasons were behind the move, it would have been difficult for the brothers to leave Meralco, the only club team they have ever played for in the Philippines before this transfer.

James Younghusband certainly stresses this fact.

“It was very difficult to leave FC Meralco Manila, a club who have treated us so well and where me and my brother have spent 6 years at”, he told GMA News Online.

The elder Younghusband has also put forward his short and long-term goals for his new club.

“Short term is to get as many points as we can for the remainder of the first PFL season”, says the former Chelsea youth product.

“Long term we want to make Philippine football club history with Davao and compete in AFC tournaments and more international competitions.”

On the other side, Meralco Manila, with the transfer of James and Phil Younghusband, will be bereft of arguably its heart and soul, and it is difficult to fathom how they can replace their captain and best scoring threat for the remainder of the season.

Of course, a loss like this could galvanize any team, and for Meralco fans’ sake, it is hoped that this would be the scenario.

New Sparks fullback Tyler Matas is realistic, but certainly unfazed and bullish by the challenge.

“With the transfer of the Younghusbands, it's gonna be hard to adjust at first since they played such a big role in the club”, he told GMA News Online.

“A lot of players will have to step up in their absence but I'm confident in my team that we will not only finish in the top 4, we will win the league as well.

“It's gonna take a lot of hard work but I know we can do it.”

With the addition not just of the Younghusbands, but also of Hartmann, de Jong, Rota and Jorrel Aristorenas, Davao will immediately be favorites to launch a bid to a final four finish. With two solid rounds of the league left to be played, it is now a realistic target.

The Aguilas’ head coach Gary Phillips agrees that a finish in the top four "is clearly our target we still believe we achieve finals football this year and we have bigger ambitions beyond our initial season for Davao.”

Philips also stresses the importance of the Younghusband brothers at his club.

“(The signings are) critical at this point of our season. Our GM has been amazing in his ambition and the recruitment of the biggest names in Philippine Football is an indication of how serious the club is to achieve success.”

A year that started with fans expecting the usual names to win the top prize in domestic football will have to add another name to the list. The balance of power has been redistributed to include the team from Mindanao.

How quickly the Aguilas play together should be crucial to determining if indeed, there’s a new sheriff in town. —JST, GMA News