Usain Bolt doesn't belong in the A-League from a footballing perspective, according to respected Fox Sport commentator Simon Hill.
The former sprint sensation is trialling with Australian club Central Coast Mariners in a bid to be signed as part of their regular season roster.
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Hill's biggest concern is reports that Bolt would garner a salary of about AU$3million - comparative to the top players to have played in the A-League, including Dwight Yorke, David Villa and Alessandro Del Piero.
On Friday night, Bolt scored twice in his final pre-season hit-out, prompting speculation he had done enough to earn the big money deal.
But Hill told Newshub that fans needed to pump the brakes on the Bolt experiment.
"I think he has a long way to go to make the grade of an A-League footballer," Hill said.
"Yes, it's exciting and I don't mean to be disrespectful, but let's all take a chill pill. He is still a long way off and all this talk of when he gets his contract is a long way off.
"If you look at is his general play, outside from the goals that always seem to cloud people's judgements, he still has lots to improve on and in fairness, I think he knows that as well."
Hill also balked at the price tag, suggesting there needed to be more than a promotional benefit for paying a player such a significant amount of money.
"Fans might turn up for the first few weeks and put bums on seats. It is great people all over the world are learning about the A-League, but we have to be careful, because the A-league is not a joke competition.
"It is a serious league. We have to be careful not to turn this into a circus.
"I'm being told the money he is expected to make, if he's offered a contract, is about $3m, which is Alessandro Del Piero money.
"I understand why those kind of figures are being thrown out there, because of the publicity, but in pure football terms, you need Del Piero returns and he's not going to provide that.
"At best, he'll be a bulk-standard A-League squad player that sits on the bench most of the time."
With the Mariners travelling to Brisbane for their season opener against the Roar on Sunday, a decision on Bolt's status should be known later this week.
Newshub.
