(SEAN WALSH is a freelance writer, Melbourne Victory fan and BPL Citizen Journalist.)

Depending on which soccer commentator one chooses to listen to, Harry Kewell is either the A-League's saviour or the devil in a No.10 shirt.

Unsuprisingly, the truth is somewhere in between. It would be a dereliction of duty for those leading their clubs in the A-League not to attempt to lure the most marketable commodity of Australian football for the last decade. The question is how much of the farm do you mortgage to do it.

Here are some of the positives and negatives of Kewell coming to the A-League in general and Melbourne Victory in particular.

POSITIVES

* In the last three years, he has averaged 32 appearances and 14 goals for a club in a superior league, European football and the international team. While low appearances by European standards, this is relevant to any prospective Australian suitor for it shows he may be capable of getting through what is a less demanding Australian schedule. His goals return for the position and level of football he has been playing is top class, especially for a player who is nearly as often provider as scorer.

* The fact Eddie McGuire saw fit to buy into the media hype this week shows his promotional capabilites. I would be suprised if he doesn't add 5000 to the average gate for the team he signs for and double some merchandising lines. He may also be of significant assistance to the A-League as a whole in promoting the whole league - a tool that can be used to cut through against the superior marketing budgets of other codes.

* According to media commentary this week, the one indisputable fact about Kewell is that he works harder than everyone else. His influence on whichever club recruits him in this aspect will be stark. Players will see how a true professional prepares to be as good as they can be. For a league with a low average age this is a significant contribution in itself.

NEGATIVES

* Injury. The doomsday scenario for a club and the league is to mortgage the farm to get Kewell and then see him tear his troublesome groin early in the season. The negative publicity to both Kewell and the code from such a scenario is the most significant risk the code faces in his recruitment. Putting all your promotional eggs in a basket that may fall apart may seem a risky strategy to some.

* Cost. What price is being asked and how will it be structured? Reports so far seem to suggest a low(ish) base figure supported by large percentages of any productivity gains. If this is the case, this is only a negative if Kewell can't stay on the field due to injury. The track record so far for returning players of a 30+ age has been patchy at best. The club that signs him will be hoping more for Muscat/Thompsonthan Sterjovski/Lazardis/Beauchamp/Petkovic.

* Potential allegation of conflicts of interest from the FFA. If the FFA has some hand in the financial package Kewell gets it must be made clear that the same package was available whichever club he chooses. Alarm bells are ringing with the late run for Kewell's signature being made by Brisbane.The Roar is still being supported by the FFA. If Kewell goes to the Roar, based on an inflated contribution from the FFA, the ground is ripe for allegations that they are merely fattening the cow for sale. Sport relies on there being at least a perception of a level playing field. Such a controversy will negate some of the positive effect Kewell's contribution could have. Do we really want to hand his manager Bernie Mandic a powerful place in the Australian football scene? I for one vote a resounding no. The "Me, Me, Me" culture that has sometimes been allowed to develop around Kewell will also subtract from the benefits he can provide to the local game. A culture that appears to develop from Mandic's need to be in control of every facet of his client's involvement, rather than just a piece of the puzzle.

HOW WOULD MELBOURNE VICTORY USE HIM?

Durakovic appears to prefer something akin to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Upon Kewell's recruitment, a decision would be required on where he fits considering the other personnel available to the club. He could play up front and fill the role of hold-up front man waiting for the likes of Rojas, Thompson and Cernak to join the attack from the wings, but this makes an absurdity of the recruitment of Solorzano.

A better fit for Kewell is playing No.10 in behind the pace of either Solorzano or Thompson and Rojas and Cernak on the flanks. The problem with this strategy is that it leaves Hernandez surplus to requirements because playing a free role between midfield and forward is one of the few places the shape of the Costa Rican fits.

This, in tandem with Thompson potentially playing on the right flank, leaves Victory's best players of the last two years in positions they are unlikely to enjoy.

If the question of Kewell's recruitment is not answered soon, Victory should pull out and look to fill their most pressing deficiency, which is the centre of defence.

I hope Kewell comes to the A-League. I even hope he comes to Victory.

I just accept that this is a crucial stage for the league and that if Kewell does come he will have a significant part in deciding whether it can drag itself away from being a sporting also-ran.