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Tag: Cristian Volpato

  • Socceroos’ future is bright amid historic Aussie takeover of world’s top five leagues: Roo Radar

    Socceroos’ future is bright amid historic Aussie takeover of world’s top five leagues: Roo Radar

    The Premier League campaign is over for another year – and while Ange Postecoglou and Mile Jedinak were flying the Australian flag as coaches for Tottenham Hotspur, there were no Aussie men on the field.

    It’s a different story, of course, in the women’s top flight in England – the Women’s Super League – with 14 Australians playing there this campaign.

    But back to the men. In Europe’s top five leagues (England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France), just one Socceroo, Denis Genreau, appeared this season for France’s top-flight Toulouse.

    Cristian Volpato, the Sydney-born starlet who has not yet decided whether to represent Australia or Italy at the senior international level, also featured in Italy’s top tier with Sassuolo.

    It’s a sad decline from the days of Aussies like Aaron Mooy and Maty Ryan regularly featuring in the Premier League. But the good news is that next season things could be different.

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    A flurry of Socceroos have earned promotion to the big five leagues, leading Socceroos coach Graham Arnold to say yesterday: “For the national team in the future, it should be great for us.”

    And there’s a host of up-and-coming youngsters at top-flight teams who will be hoping to crack the senior sides.

    Remarkably, when the new season begins we could see as many as 20 Aussies on the books at clubs in the five biggest leagues in world football.

    MORE COVERAGE

    Bayern-bound teen’s Socceroos call-up confirmed as former whiz-kid earns deserved recall

    Aussie young gun snubs Socceroos … for rival nation’s under-20s

    Genreau in action against Roma in a friendly last year.Source: AFP

    PREMIER LEAGUE

    Three Australians secured promotion from the Championship this season: Cameron Burgess and Massimo Luongo with Ipswich Town, and Harry Souttar with Leicester City – the latter team winning the second tier.

    Burgess, 28, was an ever-present for the Tractor Boys this season, playing 40 games and becoming a brick wall in defence for a team that lost just six of 46 league matches. He burst into the Socceroos squad only in September 2023, but has already become arguably the nation’s first-choice centre-back. His three-year contract at Ipswich is now up, but the club has an option to extend that for one more year. At a minimum, that looks like a certainty at this point – but a new long-term deal is also well and truly on the cards after a stellar season.

    Cameron Burgess (C) celebrates a goal in what has been a spectacular promotion season.Source: Getty Images

    Luongo, now 31, played 43 of the team’s 46 league games, starting the vast majority of those in the midfield. After earning a recall to the Socceroos last October and November after a four-year-exile, he retired from international football in December last year ahead of January’s Asian Cup. After 45 caps and six goals for the green and gold over a long career, Luongo wanted to focus on ensuring Ipswich earned promotion to the Premier League – and fair enough too.

    It’s been a remarkable career renaissance for the Aussie, who looked to be sliding away from the top echelons of global football just 18 months ago. He joined Ipswich in January 2023 on a six-month deal, then helped them get promoted to the Championship. That earned him another one-year deal, and by this January, he signed yet another contract with Ipswich. That runs for next season with the option to extend another year.

    Signing three contracts with the club in just over 12 months shows how impressive his form revival has been, and he’s earned the ultimate prize of finally playing in the top flight – 12 years after he came so close to debuting in the Premier League when he was twice an unused substitute for Tottenham.

    The big question now is whether Luongo will reverse his international retirement and rejoin the Socceroos on the road to the 2026 World Cup. It’s unlikely. But based on form he would undoubtedly be welcomed back into the green and gold fold by coach Graham Arnold.

    Luongo has been stellar this season.Source: Getty Images

    The situation with Harry Souttar is far less rosy. The towering centre-back has been in virtual exile at Leicester this season as they topped the Championship, playing just three league games all season (one start).

    Not that it has had an impact on his Socceroos’ minutes – he’s played every minute of the eight games since September and has been picked for Australia’s matches against Bangladesh and Palestine next week.

    It’s the perfect opportunity for Souttar to put himself in the shop window.

    Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said: “Harry is obviously one that I will sit down with when he gets here and see what’s happening because it’s important.

    “Not just for us, but also for Harry Souttar that he sorts out his club career and gets back playing because it’s gone on a bit too long now.”

    Souttar’s contract at the Foxes doesn’t expire until mid-2028, but he’ll be desperate to seal a transfer that can offer him regular minutes, barring the unlikely scenario that Leicester sell either of their starting centre-backs Jannik Vestegaard or Wout Faes.

    Will he move to a Premier League rival?

    He’s just 25 years old and still has his best years ahead of him, but after a year on the sidelines it’s unlikely that a top-flight club will immediately make him a starting centre-half, meaning he could well end up on the bench. It’s a high-risk, high-reward transfer window ahead.

    A move to Scotland to join brother John at Rangers was mooted in January but didn’t eventuate – but in order to get immediate playing time, heading to Scotland or back to the Championship seems a safer bet.

    Despite his lack of club minutes, Souttar continues to impress for the Socceroos.Source: Getty Images

    While those three Socceroos stars headline the list of Australians likely to play in the Premier League next season, there’s a host of up-and-comers on the books of big clubs.

    The most likely to earn his chance this season is Joe Gauci at Aston Villa. 23-year-old Gauci signed for the Premier League’s fourth-place finishers in February from Adelaide United on a deal initially worth nearly $2.5m.

    He’s behind the 2022 World Cup winning goalkeeper, Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, who also won the Golden Glove at that tournament as well as the being named The Best FIFA Goalkeeper in 2022 and winning the Yashin Trophy in 2023.

    But finishing fourth in the Premier League means Villa will now play in the Champions League as well as two domestic cups (the FA Cup and League Cup).

    Their hectic schedule means Gauci will fight 34-year-old Robin Olsen for back-up duties – and with injuries always a possibility, the rising Australian talent could even get a chance in the Premier League. Olsen, for example, played five league games this season.

    And Gauci has the chance to put his name up in lights in a fortnight when Socceroos captain Maty Ryan is rested for the matches against Bangladesh and Palestine – meaning Gauci is all-but-certain to start both fixtures.

    Joe Gauci will be hoping for minutes at Aston Villa this season.Source: Getty Images

    21-year-old Cameron Peupion is another player on the fringes of a Premier League side. He’s at Brighton and Hove Albion, and he’s already played once in the league – back in May 2023.

    This season, he went on loan to League One side Cheltenham Town but struggled for minutes and was recalled in January, where he started for Brighton in both the League Cup and FA Cup. He was also on the bench (but unused) for six Premier League matches. Another loan move is possible, but with a new coach incoming, he’ll have the chance to impress in pre-season and push his case to stay with the first team.

    Cameron Peupion (R) of Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup against Wolves.Source: Getty Images

    Brighton also have a talented 19-year-old Australian goalkeeper in Steven Hall on their books, who joined from Adelaide United in January and has so far played two games in the Premier League 2 (underage/reserves competition). He’s on a deal until 2027 – so there’s plenty of time for him to rise up the ranks.

    Another youngster to watch out for is Fulham’s Tyrese Francois. The 23-year-old has represented them twice in the league before, coming off the bench in the last game of the 2020-21 season and again in the second game of the 22/23 season.

    This year, he made their PL bench five times in the first half of the season and picked up substitute appearances in the FA and League Cups before being sent on loan in January to Vejle BK in Denmark’s top tier.

    He’s made 15 appearances there including starting their last 12 games. Now he’ll head back to Fulham, who finished 13th in the league this season. The young Aussie will be hoping to carry his strong form back from Denmark and into next season’s Premier League … and maybe even make that long-awaited first start.

    It was all going so well for young box-to-box midfielder Alex Robertson this season. Sent on loan to Portsmouth from Premier League champions Manchester City, he became one of the first names on the team sheet at and drew huge praise as he guided them to the top of the table by the New Year. There were rumours that clubs like Everton were interested in a permanent transfer.

    Then he tore a thigh muscle and his season was over – though his loan club went on to win League One and be promoted to the Championship for next season.

    The 21-year-old already has two caps for the Socceroos and is viewed as an immense talent, but breaking into City’s stacked squad is a tall order. His serious injury was a major setback, but a transfer isn’t out of the question, nor is another loan move.

    Robertson impressed for the Socceroos in 2023 before an injury setback.Source: AFP

    Speaking of loan moves, that’s the expectation when it comes to Garang Kuol for the upcoming season. The teen talent has had a torrid time of things since signing for Newcastle from the Central Coast Mariners.

    This season, he was sent on loan to Dutch side Volendam – renowned for playing youngsters. But then they sacked their chief and their coach in December, and Kuol has played just 32 minutes in 2024. Ouch.

    He debuted for Newcastle last Wednesday in a friendly against Tottenham at the MCG, coming on to rousing reception from the Aussie fans before scoring a penalty in the shootout. He then earned his first start against the A-League All Stars, but failed to impress.

    Manager Eddie Howe said after the first game that the young forward will be sent on loan again next year.

    “It’s always very difficult to say for certain what’s gonna happen with a player at this stage because there’s a long way to go before the season starts,” Howe said.

    “But possibly another loan spell for him I think will be important.

    “He’s had a couple of loan spells now but I think he needs the next one to be a successful one.

    “I think he needs the next one to be successful and we need him to play more game time and hopefully that’ll happen.”

    Simply put, he needs minutes – and plenty of them – to continue his development and get him in the frame for Premier League action. That’s a fair way away at this point, but a strong pre-season could deliver a surprise.

    Garang Kuol of Newcastle United FC in action during the exhibition match against the A-League All Stars.Source: Getty Images

    GERMANY

    The German Bundesliga is also certain to see Australians in action next season. Socceroos midfield veteran Jackson Irvine captained FC St Pauli to the top of the second tier and promotion to the top flight in recent weeks. He plays alongside Connor Metcalfe, who has become one of the first names on the team sheets for the Socceroos in the last 18 months. 31-year-old Irvine had six goals and nine assists in 27 league games this season – an impressive output from a midfielder, while 24-year-old Metcalfe had three goals and five assists in 30 appearances, mostly on the wings. The pair have been crucial to both their team and Australia’s hopes, so expect plenty of minutes for the dynamic duo next season.

    Irvine and his teammates were mobbed by pitch invaders after winning Bundesliga 2.Source: Getty Images

    Nestory Irankunda, viewed as one of the most gifted Australian youngsters in decades, sealed a record-breaking transfer to European giants Bayern Munich in November last season – where he’ll head after he impressed for the A-League All Stars last week against Newcastle. The 18-year-old attacker finished his time at Adelaide United with eight goals and six assists in 25 appearances this season, taking his overall tally in the A-League to 16 goals and eight assists in 60 games. Still a raw talent who has struggled at times with his emotions and the immense weight of expectation on his shoulders, Irankunda has just been called up to the Socceroos and is expected to debut against Bangladesh or Palestine.

    He is likely to start out in Bayern’s reserve team or go out on loan. But Bayern will have a new coach next season – relegated Premier League side Burnley’s Vincent Kompany – and there’s precedent for an A-League star to break into the first team surprisingly quickly.

    New Socceroo accidentally revealed | 00:57

    That was the case with New Zealand’s Sarpreet Singh, who signed from Wellington Phoenix in July 2019. He played a couple of matches with the senior team in pre-season friendlies, then was sent to the reserve team (which plays in Germany’s third tier). After impressing there, he debuted in the Bundesliga in December 2019 – less than six months after signing for the club. So the opportunity for a rapid rise to the first team is there for Irankunda … if he can take it.

    Irankunda was excellent against Newcastle, with an assist and a key role in another goal in the 8-0 win.Source: Getty Images

    But Irankunda won’t be the only Aussie at Bayern Munich next season. Goalkeeper Anthony Pavlesic is only 18 and has a long way to go to reach the elite, but a two-and-a-half week trial earned him a transfer to Bayern last June. He’s been playing for their under-19 team – coincidentally 19 times this season. And he also made an appearance for the reserve team in October. The teen gloveman is an immense talent, but barring a host of injuries he’s unlikely to break into the senior side for another season or more.

    One Aussie most fans may not have heard of yet is Rawley St John, a Sydney FC academy product who earned a massive move to VfB Stuttgart last July. Stuttgart this season finished a stunning second in the Bundesliga, ahead of Bayern Munich but behind a rampaging Bayer Leverkusen. St John has been playing for the under-19 team, but the gifted midfielder just turned 19 this week and will be hoping to rise up the ranks this season, the final one on his contract at the German club.

    Versatile wide man Jacob Italiano is also at a top flight club, playing with Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 22-year-old joined there from Perth in 2019 and has since gone on to play 104 games for their reserves team, but is out of contract. A move could be on the cards.

    Jacob Italiano playing for the Olyroos at the U23 Asian Cup in April.Source: Getty Images

    FRANCE

    As previously mentioned, Denis Genreau was the only Socceroo to feature in a top-five league this season. He played plenty of minutes last year to help Toulouse get promoted to France’s Ligue 1, and started this season strongly before injuries effectively ruined his season – seeing him not play in the league from November until the final game of the season last week. Having turned 25 this week, the five-cap Socceroo still has a year to go on his contract and will be hoping that a full pre-season gets him back into regular first-team action.

    This year, Australian fans will be hoping for more Socceroos to join him in playing in Ligue 1.

    Mohamed Toure, who plays for Reims, spent the season on loan at second tier Paris FC in an attempt to get match minutes. He scored in just his second game for his loan club, but like Genreau was then cut down by injury. He finished the season with just 175 minutes across 11 matches, and that solitary goal. He played three Ligue 1 games for Reims in his first year at France, but another loan move for the young striker who just turned 20 seems probable.

    He has made just one appearance for the Socceroos so far, last October, but hopes are high that he can rediscover his scoring form and be a long-term number nine in the green and gold.

    His older brother Al Hassan also plays in Ligue 2, while younger brother Musa has been linked to a transfer to Ligue 1 by FTBL in recent weeks – though at 18 is also likely to spend time in the reserves or on loan before breaking into the first team.

    Toure showed flashes of his potential with the Olyroos at the U-23 Asian Cup.Source: Getty Images

    ITALY

    Rising Socceroos centre-back Alessandro Circati, just 20, played a key role in earning Parma promotion to Serie A this season.

    The Italian-born star, who has one Socceroos cap but is included in the upcoming squad, joined Parma in 2021 on a long-term contract until 2027. But he quickly earned a spot in the senior side and has already played 55 games for the team, including 32 this season as they returned to the top tier for the first time since being from Serie A in 2020/21. He’s expected to remain a key figure in the first team when the new season commences – though there were rumours of a Premier League transfer in January.

    “We played him against New Zealand and his maturity for a young boy was outstanding. We gave him that debut cap next to Harry Souttar and he’s got quality,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said yesterday.

    “He’s done very well for us but it’s the club form and the club qualities that are the great things about the future of the Socceroos. With him getting promoted into Serie A, he’s going to play against some of the best strikers in the world and we’re going to benefit from that in the long run.”

    He added: “We have Alessandro playing in Serie A next season which is incredible for the nation. And that was one of the most important things. We get rewarded with those types of things as a nation when the players are doing well at their clubs and playing at the highest level.”

    Alessandro Circati before making his Socceroos debut last October.Source: Getty Images

    Another Italian Australian in Serie A is Cristian Volpato, who debuted for heavyweights Roma back in December 2021 under legendary manager Jose Mourinho. Mentored by all-time great Francesco Totti, the so-called ‘King of Rome’, Sydney-born Volpato has been the subject of a long and dramatic tug of war between Italy and Australia over his international allegiances, which included Volpato turning down representing Australia at the 2022 World Cup. This international window, he is representing Italy’s Under-20s instead of the Socceroos.

    “I’ve been in touch with a Christian and his mother, and the kid has chosen to play for Italy in this camp in under 20s in a tournament,” Arnold said on Wednesday.

    “I’m always in contact and I’m encouraging him to play for Australia, but at the same time the kid has to want to, and his mum and his dad have to want that as well.”

    Socceroos fans are still hoping the 20-year-old attacking midfielder opts for the green and gold.

    He left Roma, where he played 14 games for the senior side, to join Serie A rivals Sassuolo in June last year for €7.5 million. He played 25 games in all competitions this season, largely off the bench, with one goal and one assist.

    Having come through at Roma under legendary coach Jose Mourinho before moving to Sassuolo, hopes are high that Volpato will play for Australia.Source: Getty Images

    Sassuolo finished second-last and will be relegated to Serie B next season – meaning Volpato will need a transfer if he wants to continue playing in the top flight.

    It’s likely that Volpato will be allowed to leave, given he fell out favour in the latter stages of the season when the club replaced their coach in a bid to avoid relegation, although he did start their final game of the season.

    He has been linked to clubs in Serie A, as well as Spain’s top division, La Liga – which would also make him Australia’s only player in that competition.

    Another young gun is 19-year-old Sebastian Esposito, who made a stunning move from Melbourne City to Serie A side Lecce in December despite never playing for City’s senior side. But the physically strong and aerially talented centre-back has plenty of potential – and he’s been on the bench for the senior team five times this season while playing 19 games for the under 19-team – including 18 straight where he played the full match. He was a standout for Australia’s under-20s team in a pair of matches last year, and looks one for the future.

    AUSTRALIANS CURRENTLY AT TOP-FLIGHT CLUBS

    Premier League: Cameron Burgess, Massimo Luongo, Harry Souttar, Cameron Peupion, Joe Gauci, Steven Hall, Tyrese Francois, Alex Robertson, Garang Kuol

    Bundesliga: Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankunda, Anthony Pavlesic, Rawley St John, Jacob Italiano

    Ligue 1: Denis Genreau, Mohamed Toure

    Serie A: Alessandro Circati, Cristian Volpato, Sebastian Esposito.

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  • Cristian Volpato chooses to play for Italy’s under-20 team rather than the Socceroos

    Cristian Volpato chooses to play for Italy’s under-20 team rather than the Socceroos

    Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has revealed that Cristian Volpato has rejected selection in Australia’s squad to instead play for Italy’s under-20 team next month.

    Arnold’s quest to entice the Sydney-born, Italy-based Volpato to pledge his allegiance to Australia hit another hurdle when the Sassuolo attacking midfielder turned down the chance to play or the Socceroos against Bangladesh and Palestine next month.

    FULL SQUAD: Bayern-bound teen’s Socceroos call-up confirmed as former whiz-kid earns deserved recall

    “I’ve been in touch with a Christian and his mother, and the kid has chosen to play for Italy in this camp in under 20s in a tournament,” Arnold said on Wednesday after his announcing is latest 25-man squad.

    “I’m always in contact and I’m encouraging him to play for Australia, but at the same time the kid has to want to, and his mum and his dad have to want that as well.

    “The last conversations I had with him, which was not that long ago when I suggested (about picking him) for this camp and this (international) window, it was more based around that he wanted to play for Italy in the under 20s.”

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    Cristian Volpato still won’t commit to representing Australia. Picture: Paolo Bruno/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    Volpato still remains eligible to represent Australia at senior level.

    “It’s not like if he plays for other junior national teams that can’t play for Australia or the Socceroos, but kid at this moment has chosen that,” said Arnold, who added that Volpato had a “lot to think about” following Sassuolo’s relegation to the Italian second division.

    While Volpato remains uncommitted to playing for Australia, fellow Italy-based player Alessandro Circati is set to add to his maiden Socceroos cap next month after being recalled to Australia’s squad.

    “He played against New Zealand (in October last year) and his maturity for a young boy is outstanding,” Arnold said of the 20-year-old defender, whose club side Parma has been promoted to Italy’s top-flight.

    “He’s obviously got the quality and you will see him play in either one or two of these games (against Bangladesh and Palestine).

    “It’s important that he gets to know us well, but he’s fit in perfectly into the Socceroos when he’s been in camp. He’s done very well for us, and … him getting promoted to (Italy’s) Serie A, he’s going to play against some of the best strikers in the world, and we’re going to benefit from it.”

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  • Arnold slams clubs over selfish act that could end Aussie Olympic dream: Socceroos Talking Points

    Arnold slams clubs over selfish act that could end Aussie Olympic dream: Socceroos Talking Points

    The Socceroos are preparing to take to the field for the first time since their heartbreaking Asian Cup quarterfinal defeat to South Korea, with attention now fully focused on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

    Coach Graham Arnold announced his squad for the two qualifiers against Lebanon today, but had plenty of selection headaches amid an injury crisis – particularly in one problem position.

    And as Arnold looks to the future, three potential debutants could get their shot.

    Here are the big talking points from today’s announcement.

    Arnold has had plenty of selection headaches to deal with.Source: Getty Images

    ARNOLD WHACKS EURO CLUBS

    Arnold has been forced into a difficult balancing act in selecting this squad – just as he did in the Asian Cup in January – over whether or not to select under-23 players.

    The U23 Asian Cup next month will decide which nations qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris. Yet next month’s tournament is not held during a FIFA window, meaning clubs are not obligated to release players to compete for the Olyroos.

    Arnold has tried to convince them to let talented youngsters players play for the Olyroos by omitting them from his Socceroos squads.

    That was the case for 20-year-old centre-back Alessandro Circati, who was left out of the Asian Cup squad and is again absent this time around.

    Parma is hunting promotion to Italy’s Serie B, making it understandable they are reluctant to lose any players in the closing stages of the season.

    But if he hoped leaving Circati out of the Socceroos team would mean Parma let him play for the Olyroos, those hopes are fading fast.

    “That’s to be determined. But I have to say, I’d be doubtful about that,” Arnold said.

    Circati debuted in a friendly against New Zealand last year.Source: Getty Images

    He slammed European clubs for pressuring players to turn down international call-ups and focus on their domestic careers.

    “Tony Vidmar [Olyroos coach] at the moment is getting quite a number of overseas-based clubs refusing to release players in April. I spoke to [Circati] and I think it’s one thing a lot of people need to understand: the pressure that kids get put under from their clubs overseas to [not] play for Australia is a lot.

    “Alessandro and even [uncapped 20-year-old] Cristian Volpato, exactly the same. They just want to focus on their club careers at this moment in time. I do believe that Alessandro, especially, will play for Australia, and I do believe Cristian will want to play for Australia. It’s just at the moment, the timing is probably not right for them – especially with Alessandro; they’re going for promotion with Parma to get up in Serie A.”

    Arnold is well-placed to comment on the plight of the Olyroos, having led them to both the 2008 and 2020 Olympics.

    Selecting a squad is difficult enough. It’s made even harder when balancing the needs of the under-23 team – and when clubs don’t play ball.

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    Standard’s Aiden O’Neill is missing due to injury and suspension.Source: AFP

    INJURY CRISIS PROVIDES BIG CHANCES

    Two of the Socceroos starting XI from their last match – the Asian Cup quarter-final against South Korea – have been ruled out of this squad.

    Winger Martin Boyle suffered a nasty concussion playing for Hibernian, while veteran left-back Aziz Behich, a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has suffered an ankle injury.

    Behich played every minute of the Socceroos’ five Asian Cup matches, while Boyle started all five matches and scored two goals.

    But the list of injured players is much longer – “12 or 13” in total, Arnold says.

    Wingers Marco Tilio (on loan at Melbourne City, hamstring injury) and Awer Mabil (Grasshopper FC in Switzerland) are both injured.

    Midfielder Aiden O’Neill is battling an ankle injury, but would have been ruled out regardless after picking up a red card against South Korea. Highly touted 21-year-old midfielder Alex Robertson is out with a torn thigh muscle.

    Meanwhile, there’s an added worry for Arnold after Lewis Miller – who was named in the squad – hobbled off with injury this morning.

    “He called me straight from the dressing room this morning, it’s too early to rule him out,” Arnold said.

    “He’s going to have scans and get checked on and then we’ll deal with that in the next couple of days.”

    Australia’s defender #19 Harry Souttar consoles Australia’s defender #20 Lewis Miller after their defeat in the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Australia and South Korea at Al-Janoub Stadium in al-Wakrah, south of Doha, on February 2, 2024. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL / AFP)Source: AFP

    It means the Socceroos have been forced into a number of changes, but also provides a significant chance for players to stake their claim in the starting side.

    That is particularly the case for wingers – with nailed-on starter Boyle a key absentee. Jordy Bos (more on him below) and Craig Goodwin (32) are the likely first-choice starters, though Middlesbrough’s Sam Silvera (23) could get his shot.

    Brandon Borrello (28) has recovered from the ankle complaint that ruled him out of the Asian Cup and has been recalled, with the Western Sydney Wanderers attacker hoping his versatility can give him a greater opportunity at the national team level.

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    Kusini Yengi, the 25-year-old striker for Portsmouth in England’s League One, also looms as one to watch this window. He was deployed on the right side of the attack this week against Burton. After missing a wide-open goal, the Aussie gun recovered to score a panenka penalty and turned it into a brace in the second half.

    He now has 10 goals and two assists in 23 appearances in all competitions – but his surprise start at right-wing could convince Graham Arnold he can perform in a wider role rather than just as a striker, where there’s plenty of competition for places.

    Besides Yengi, there’s veteran Mitchell Duke, uncapped John Iredale, and the A-League trio of Bruno Fornaroli, Brandon Borrello and Adam Taggart.

    “All of them bring something different,” Arnold said.

    Kusini Yengi missed a sitter – and ended up caught in the net!Source: Getty Images

    BIG QUESTION OVER LONG-TERM PROBLEM POSITION

    With Aziz Behich injured, the Socceroos are left with just one specialist left-back in the squad: 12-cap Jordy Bos. The 21-year-old left-back is enjoying a stellar season at KVC Westerlo in Belgium, scoring a sublime long-range strike on the weekend.

    But at the Asian Cup, he played exclusively as a winger – and scored his maiden Socceroos goal just moments after coming off the bench in the opening match – with Arnold repeatedly stating that he believes the youngster is more suited to an attacking position.

    Yet Behich is 33 years old, and it is unclear whether he will be capable of playing in the next World Cup in 2026.

    It means the Socceroos have a big question mark over the future at the position.

    Bos’ undoubted potential has led many to believe he could lock down the role for the foreseeable future.

    In the Asian Cup warm-up match against Bahrain, Bos delivered a faultless performance in that position, and he previously impressed in the left-back role against Bangladesh last year.

    But Arnold is likely to stick to his guns and deploy Bos as a winger this time around, especially with the absence of Boyle leaving the frontline a little lean.

    Bos is more suited to the left flank, but Craig Goodwin could be deployed on that side with Bos shifted to the right.

    South Korea’s midfielder #26 Yang Hyun-jun is marked by Australia’s defender #16 Aziz Behich during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final football match between Australia and South Korea at Al-Janoub Stadium in al-Wakrah, south of Doha, on February 2, 2024. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)Source: AFP

    Assuming Arnold does deploy Bos in attack, Kye Rowles is most likely to deputise on the left.

    Arnold said: “Kye Rowles can also play there, it’s a good thing what we did last year in some friendlies, trying different ways (of lining up).

    “Jordy’s obviously playing that role at Westerlo, it’s a familiar role for him.”

    The left-footer is typically deployed as a left-sided centre-back and has formed what is clearly Australia’s first-choice partnership with Harry Souttar.

    The pair played together in four of the five Asian Cup matches, with Souttar partnered by Cameron Burgess in the other.

    Rowles has been used at left-back before, notably in back-to-back games against Mexico and England late last year.

    It appears the most likely option for the upcoming pair of matches against Lebanon, which would give Burgess a chance to nail down a position alongside Souttar in the heart of defence.

    Souttar, of course, remains in virtual exile at club level, having made just four appearances for Leicester all season in all competitions (not due to any fault of his own, but rather that Leicester’s other centre-backs have been outstanding).

    But Souttar’s performances at the Asian Cup proved that despite his lack of match minutes he can be relied upon to deliver for the national team – and means that Rowles could be forced to play at left-back whenever Behich is absent.

    Arnold said his lack of game time was a concern but added: “The way he plays for us, the goals he scores – he’s probably our leading scorer in my reign!”

    “I know he’s working extremely hard and I know he’s ready for these games.”

    23-year-old Sydney FC fullback Joel King has been viewed as a long-term prospect at the troubling left-back position after impressing at the Tokyo Olympics and in four Socceroos appearances.

    He was an unused substitute at the 2022 World Cup but has fallen down the pecking order since then. All four of his Socceroos appearances came in 2022, and missed out on this window due to only just having recovered from a toe injury.

    29-year-old Callum Elder at League One side Derby County could have been in the mix for a recall, only to suffer an ankle sprain a fortnight ago.

    Outstanding 21-year-old Jacob Farrell of the Central Coast Mariners could be the next in line. He will feature this window for the Olyroos (U-23s) at the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia, a crucial preparation for the Olyroos ahead of the U23 Asian Cup which doubles as Olympic qualifiers.

    Graham Arnold will certainly be keeping a close eye on Farrell – and many other Olyroos stars – as he looks to build his squad for the future with the World Cup firmly in mind.

    For now, however, Arnold faces a conundrum over whether to stick with Bos as a winger or shift him to left-back, where he has both the potential and the opportunity to be the long-term answer to a major selection problem.

    Tom Glover (R) could be in line to debut.Source: Getty Images

    THREE POTENTIAL DEBUTANTS

    Behind captain Maty Ryan, there are two young goalkeepers: Joe Gauci of Aston Villa and Tom Glover of Middlesbrough. The highly talented duo headline the list of potential replacements for 31-year-old Ryan, though the Socceroos’ first-choice number one shows no signs of slowing down.

    Glover has been in Socceroos camps multiple times – most recently in October in London – but has not yet debuted. The 26-year-old has played 20 times for second-tier Boro this season and could well earn his first cap should Arnold look to blood the next generation.

    23-year-old Gauci has not yet debuted for Premier League club Aston Villa after his groundbreaking move in the January transfer window, but has two caps for the Socceroos already and is perhaps already ahead of Glover in the pecking order.

    On the other end of the pitch, Germany-based striker John Iredale would be a shock debutant given his patchy form in the Bundesliga 2 this campaign, with three goals and an assist in 16 appearances in all competitions.

    The striking position is an area where the Socceroos are struggling for depth, particularly in the younger generation, and the 24-year-old boasts plenty of physicality – which could help his case for a debut.

    Perhaps the most intriguing decision among the selections was that of defensive midfielder Patrick Yazbek.

    The 23-year-old has been absolutely stellar for Norwegian side Viking FK this campaign and certainly deserves to be in the Socceroos. With Aiden O’Neill and Alex Robertson both ruled out, he is more than capable of stepping up as Keanu Baccus’ back-up in the defensive midfield role.

    Yet questions have been raised over whether he would be better off playing with the under-23s in Saudi Arabia, where he had been called up before being poached by Arnold’s Socceroos.

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  • Key rule change could revive exiled Roo’s career; ‘crucial’ reason for shock calls: Talking Pts

    Key rule change could revive exiled Roo’s career; ‘crucial’ reason for shock calls: Talking Pts

    Graham Arnold on Friday announced a 26-man Socceroos squad to take on the Asian Cup next month – and there was no shortage of intriguing calls.

    The Australian squad features a 36-year-old in Bruno Fornaroli as well as three uncapped players, one of whom was eligible to play for another nation but was poached by the Aussies.

    There are a number of key absences, including injured veterans and some surprising omissions, while the team represents a bold mix of youth and experience as Arnold looks to the future and the road to the 2026 World Cup.

    And there’s one young gun who is the big winner from a late rule change.

    Here are all the major talking points ahead of the tournament opener on January 13.

    36yo and THREE debutants: Socceroos shocks as Arnie names squad for Asian Cup

    Fresh off two wins in World Cup qualifying last month, the Socceroos are preparing to chase just a second-ever Asian Cup crown.Source: Getty Images

    Drastic squad overhaul as Arnold eyes 2026 World Cup

    Graham Arnold has repeatedly made clear that his major focus is the 2026 World Cup – and rightly so.

    Arnold said Friday: “I’ve got one eye on the Asian Cup but I’ve got two eyes on the World Cup (2026) and qualifying directly.”

    Though the World Cup is the top priority, the Asian Cup stands behind that tournament as the biggest trophy available for the Socceroos.

    It’s also the last tournament that Arnold has not experienced success in, having enjoyed a record-breaking 2022 World Cup with the Socceroos and guiding the Olyroos (under 23s) to an impressive showing at the Tokyo Olympics. Only the Asian Cup, where the defending champion Socceroos were dumped out in the quarterfinals in 2019, remains as a mark on his record.

    The need to forge a team capable both of immediate success and long-term development on the road to 2026 presents a difficult balancing act for Graham Arnold.

    The result is a squad where veterans, like recalled 36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli, have been mixed with young players – almost on a one-to-one basis.

    “The blend, for me, is so crucial,” Arnold said.

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    12 of the 26-man squad were part of the World Cup last year – 13 if you count Martin Boyle, who was ruled out of Qatar through injury but remained in the camp for the tournament as ‘Chief Vibes Officer’.

    That’s a significant turnover in a 12-month period, which reflects just how aggressively Arnold is approaching the redevelopment of his squad for the long term. 14 of the 26 players in this squad have fewer than ten caps, including three potential debutants – midfielder Patrick Yazbek, right-back Gethin Jones, and striker John Iredale.

    It’s not the first time that Arnold has overseen a dramatic rebuild, having done the same thing when he took over the role following the 2018 World Cup. Arnold inherited a very thin squad in terms of depth after losing players like Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak to retirement.

    “It was about really starting again” he says of those early days.

    Five years later, and he’s got depth in spades – with the coach revealing he considered “70-75” players for selection.

    While Arnold will be desperate to erase the failure of 2019 and win just a second-ever Asian Cup for the Socceroos, the squad shows a refusal to sacrifice long-term development.

    It’s not an easy task – but the rewards should come on the long road 2026.

    How Arnold pulled off yet another poaching raid

    Of the three potential debutants in the 26-man squad, Gethin Jones is perhaps the most intriguing. Jones was born in Perth before moving to England, where he was part of Everton’s Academy before churning through a series of clubs on loan and in permanent transfers. Now 28, the right-back has established himself as a consistent performer at third-tier English League One side Bolton. Having played for Wales up to the under-21 level, Jones is just the latest in a long line of players that were eligible to represent multiple nations but were convinced by Arnold to pledge allegiance to Australia.

    The list of recent recruits includes Martin Boyle and Harry Souttar, who have become two key members of the Socceroos unit, as well as Alex Robertson, Alessandro Circati and Jason Cummings (all omitted from this squad). Arnold is also confident that he will eventually win the back-and-forth over the international future of 20-year-old Cristian Volpato, who currently plays for Italy’s under-age teams.

    Harry Souttar headlines the list of Socceroos stars that were eligible for multiple nations – but chose Australia.Source: Getty Images

    Arnold said of Gethin Jones: “He’s one we’ve had our eye on for the last couple of years. He wasn’t hard to convince but it takes time to get through the FIFA regulations to change his registration.”

    “I went and watched him when I was in the UK. Very impressive. Obviously with the Ryan Strain injury it gave us our opportunity.”

    He added: “He’s always wanted to play for Australia, he has played for Wales at a junior level.”

    Bringing in players at the peak of their careers – like 28-year-old Jones – means they can adapt quicker to the unique pressures of international football compared to a promising teen talent.

    Arnold’s ability to convince so many players to don the green and gold is quickly becoming a trademark of the Socceroos coach, and if Jones has half the impact of Souttar or Boyle in the years to come, his recruitment could prove another Arnold masterstroke.

    The striker conundrum amid ‘concern’ over veterans

    No position sums up the squad overhaul with an eye on 2026 quite as much as the striker role, which Arnold labelled “a concern.”

    36-year-old Bruno Fornaroli earned a recall on the back of undeniable form in the A-League Mens competition – 12 goals and an assist in just eight games. Even though the two-cap forward is ageing like a fine wine, the 2026 World Cup looks a step too far. Mitch Duke, the other veteran striker selected, is 32 years old and is a risk for 2026. Jamie Maclaren, who missed out this time, is also 30 years old. Other forwards Mat Leckie, Martin Boyle, and Craig Goodwin are also all 30 or older.

    Arnold said: “That’s why I’m searching, that’s why I’m looking. It’s no secret when you look at that squad that we’ve got some older players up front that might not make 2026.”

    There are the two youngsters selected this time around – 24-year-old Kusini Yengi who debuted last month and uncapped 24-year-old John Iredale. Iredale plays for Wehen Wiesbaden in Germany’s second tier, and is a strong physical presence coming into his own at the newly-promoted Bundesliga 2 club.

    Arnold said that Iredale had been on his radar for many years, and offers versatility since he can play across the frontline and also in a playmaking No. 10 role.

    “He’s one I’ve admired for a long time because he’s got that strength and skill and he’s starting to do well in the Bundesliga 2,” Arnold explained.

    Kusini Yengi has been excellent for Portsmouth this season.Source: Getty Images

    But when it comes to the veterans – including those who missed out this time around – Arnold says that he’s not running a line through their World Cup hopes.

    “That’s not my choice, that’s theirs. At the end of the day, the older boys – the (Craig) Goodwins, the Dukes, the Boyles and all these – they’ve got to be performing at their club and fit.

    “This is the whole reason, in a way, for Leckie that I’ve left him out. I just want him to get fit and get his body right. He does that, he’ll have a chance – I do believe he’s got a chance of getting to the next World Cup.

    “You don’t rule any of those senior players out. It gets down to the club form, it gets down to injuries, match minutes, how much passion they’ve got to get there and how hard they want to work to get there. That’s the biggest thing.”

    But he said: “I do plan for the bad scenario or the bad side and make sure we’ve got players ready just in case.”

    Leckie has hardly played in the last six months, but Arnold says he’s still a chance of playing in the 2026 World Cup.Source: Getty Images

    Olympics balancing act over young guns

    When Arnold announced his squad, two players in red-hot form were surprise omissions: Alex Robertson and Alessandro Circati. 20-year-old Robertson is a technically gifted midfielder who plays for third-tier Portsmouth on loan from Manchester City, and made his Socceroos debut in March against Ecuador.

    Circati is a 20-year-old centre-back who plays for Italian second-division team Parma, and debuted for the Socceroos in October against New Zealand.

    While both were deserving of a call-up based on form, other factors are at play. Both are in teams top of their respective leagues and chasing promotion. Robertson, for example, could miss as many as eight games for Portsmouth if he was selected for the Asian Cup. And the Under-23 Asian Cup is also a key factor in Arnold’s thinking. That tournament takes place in April-May and doubles as qualification for the Olympics in Paris later in the year. Clubs are not required by FIFA to release players for the U23 Asian Cup, so Arnold not selecting those youngsters now increases the chances that their clubs will release them for the Olyroos team in the coming months.

    Circati was outstanding on debut in October.Source: Getty Images

    Arnold acknowledged there were no guarantees from the clubs around the two players being released for U23 tournaments, but said: “It gives us a better chance. I’ve had great conversations with them and I’ve got to be honest, we’ve got depth in those positions.

    “What’s better for the kids at the age of 20? Coming away in a tournament situation and maybe getting a couple of minutes here and there, or staying at their clubs at this age and playing eight competition games and enhancing their future?

    “We’ll get rewarded in six months’ time (in Paris).”

    But on the other hand, Arnold called up uncapped midfielder Patrick Yazbek, a 21-year-old who has been in incredible form for Viking FK in Norway.

    Yazbek racked up two goals and five assists from 28 appearances (all competitions) – but crucially, the Norwegian season just concluded, so Arnold is actually helping the club by giving the youngster high-level training and match minutes.

    And when it came to Jordy Bos, Australia’s long-term left back, Arnold simply couldn’t leave the 21-year-old out of the squad.

    Bos has been excellent for the Socceroos since debuting in March.Source: News Corp Australia

    New Asian Cup rules could revive exiled gun’s career

    This week, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided to expand squad sizes from the traditional 23 players to 26 for the first time ever. It wasn’t even announced in an official press release (unlike, for example, revealing the official match ball). But it’s an important change – and one Socceroo is the biggest winner.

    Versatile 21-year-old forward Marco Tilio moved to Scottish giants Celtic in June for a reported A-Leagues record £1.5 million (A$2.8m), but struggled to adjust to the intensity of the Scottish League and also battled injuries. He has played just twice since the move for a total of 28 minutes. The extra three places available in the Socceroos side means Tilio can train in an environment he is familiar with, having made seven international appearances already, and also hopefully get much-needed match minutes.

    “I can be honest here and say that if it stayed at 23 there was probably a good chance that Marco wouldn’t come,” Arnold said.

    “But the fact that it got extended to 26, it enables us to have someone completely different that can play at left wing, right wing, number 10.

    “He’s got that experience of being at major tournaments with me at the Olympics in 2021 and also the World Cup (last year). Also, I do believe this can help his Celtic career.”

    Tilio in action for the Socceroos in March.Source: Getty Images

    That could mean Tilio gets his chance to show club coach Brendan Rodgers what he is capable of – or potentially earn him a loan move for the second half of the season. But as Arnold says, it’s also about getting him back in form with the Olympics looming.

    Arnold said: “Tilio, I’ve looked at how we can also help that Olympic campaign. Conversations with Brendan Rodgers, at the end of the day Tilio hasn’t played much at Celtic but we know what he can do.

    “He can bring that bit of difference as an impact player as well and be with us to get that smile back on his face and get him ready for Celtic, but also available and fresh and fit for the Olympic campaign as well.”

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  • Veteran eyes PL as recall beckons; World Cup star’s nervous wait: Roo Radar State of Play

    Veteran eyes PL as recall beckons; World Cup star’s nervous wait: Roo Radar State of Play

    The European contingent of Australian players continues to grow, with a number of established and hopeful Socceroos flocking to the continent.

    But for some of the Aussies already there, they are at a critical juncture in their careers amid an uphill battle for game time.

    There’s also several other Australians dotted across the world as a result of recent transfers.

    Foxsports.com.au breaks down the situation for our countrymen in a bumper edition of Roo Radar!

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    Who will make the next Socceroos squad for the match against Mexico on September 10.Source: Getty Images

    BELGIUM

    The Jupiler Pro League in Belgium recently gained two Aussies, with former Melbourne City duo Jordan Bos and Aiden O’Neill joining KVC Westerlo and Standard Liege respectively.

    The pair were some of Melbourne City’s finest performers last season en route to a premiership and grand final appearance and resulted in Socceroos call-ups for both.

    Bos’ switch to Westerlo broke the record for the most expensive outgoing from Australia, with the deal reportedly worth $AUD2 million.

    Westerlo have wasted no time in throwing the left-back into the deep end as Bos has started three from four games for his new club.

    As for O’Neill, he has started all four games for Standard Liege as a defensive midfielder but is yet to taste victory.

    With Bos and O’Neill enjoying regular game time so far, it bodes well for the rest of the season as they look to maintain their spots in Graham Arnold’s Socceroos squad.

    The other Aussie in Belgium is Jason Davidson, who joined KAS Eupen last season.

    Davidson has been a left-back for most of his career but has impressed for Eupen as a centre-back this season and has played every minute of his side’s four games with two wins and a

    draw to boot.

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    Jordan Bos battling Angel di Maria of Argentina.Source: Getty Images

    ENGLAND

    Tom Glover, Riley McGree and Sammy Silvera (Middlesbrough)

    There’s three Aussies at Boro this season, with Olyroos gun Samuel Silvera also joining the books just last month. But it hasn’t been a great start to the season, with the team failing to win any of their first three Championship matches. Left-winger Silvera has been having the best run so far, with an assist to pick up a draw last time out, and another assist in a cup win. After starting on the bench in the opening league game, he’s now started three straight games (all comps) and the 22-year-old looks set to have a big impact as he takes a major step up this season after joining from the Central Coast Mariners.

    25-year-old Glover, who also moved from down under in July, played the cup game but is currently the number two gloveman at the club behind Senegal international Seny Dieng, who joined one day later. But with Boro struggling defensively, Glover will be hoping to crack into the first team – or else enjoy a good cup run to get minutes under his belt.

    McGree meanwhile started the first league game but has since come off the bench in the three other matches – and bagged a goal in the cup. The 24-year-old even had a stint at an unfamiliar left-back position in pre-season. As the team looks to climb up the ladder after their miserable start, he could find a way back into the starting side more regularly.

    McGree in action against Argentina in June.Source: Getty Images

    Harry Souttar (Leicester City)

    There’s been plenty of talk over a possible exit from the club after they were relegated from the Premier League, but it hasn’t happened … yet. Leicester sold Harvey Barnes and James Maddison for big money to balance their books, but they still need to trim a bloated squad (and wage bill!). Harry Souttar hasn’t been given much of a look-in by new manager Enzo Maresca, and an exit appears reasonably likely. He was left on the bench for their first league game and out of the squad completely for the two following games. Maresca said: “Harry’s a guy who since day one has been working very well. But because the window is open, for Harry and for the rest of the 25 players that we have, something can happen.”

    Scottish giants Rangers have been linked with a move that would reunite Harry Souttar with his brother John. Without a move, Souttar seems likely to only get limited game-time.

    Alexander Robertson (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City)

    The 20-year-old central midfielder has settled in very well to life in League One at Portsmouth, playing all five of their matches (all comps) since his loan move this month. He scored in a penalty shootout win after coming on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy (formerly the Papa John’s Trophy, a cup competition), and has started their last two league matches. The young playmaker looks extremely classy and comfortable on the ball and the early signs are promising a breakout campaign in his first full season of senior football. Making it into Manchester City’s senior team still feels a while away, but with Kevin de Bruyne’s serious injury and subsequent surgery ruling him out until the end of the calendar year, another injury or two could see Pep Guardiola recall the Aussie young gun from loan for added depth. It’s not likely, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility – and every week that Robertson continues to impress at Portsmouth helps to build his case.

    There’s another Aussie at Portsmouth in 24-year-old Kusini Yengi, a former Olyroos player, with the left-winger starting the season brilliantly by scoring four goals in three appearances before an ankle injury ruled him out until mid-October. When he’s back, keep a close eye on the former A-Leagues star.

    There’s also several other Australians in England who are either in or awfully close to the Socceroos squad.

    Ipswich Town duo Massimo Luongo and Cam Burgess are no doubt loving life at the minute.

    It’s early days in a long and gruelling Championship season, but the Tractor Boys are in first place having won three games from three and conceding just one goal in that time.

    Luongo and Burgess have played every minute of Ipswich’s campaign so far and have caught the eye of Arnold who reportedly watched the duo last weekend.

    Burgess was set to be included in the Socceroos squad for the Argentina friendlies but was ruled out with injury, yet his form so far has no doubt boosted his chances.

    Massimo Luongo is in the Championship for the first time since 2020-21.Source: Getty Images

    Elsewhere in League One is Aussie duo Callum Elder and Kenny Dougall who are at Derby County and Blackpool respectively.

    Elder came off the bench for slim minutes in the first four of Derby’s league matches and the 28-year-old left back is struggling as he pushes for a first-team spot.

    30-year-old central midfielder Dougall has two starts, one in the cup and one in the league, with two more league appearances off the bench.

    However, with Arnold taking a view towards the future in his squad selections the chances of Elder and Dougall returning to the Socceroos fold appear limited.

    There’s also Tyrese Francois with Premier League side Fulham. Francois, a 23-year-old midfielder, spent part of last season on loan at HNK Gorica in Croatia after making one Premier League appearance off the bench. He suffered an injury late last season and it’s unclear if he’s currently fully fit, having trained with the first-team squad but not travelling with them to the USA in pre-season. He has not been named in a Fulham squad so far this season. A transfer is also a possibility, as is a loan deal, as he needs more match minutes to grow in his career.

    FRANCE

    Denis Genreau (Toulouse)

    Denis Genreau will look to pick up right where he left off after the midfielder enjoyed a strong end to the 2022/23 Ligue One campaign.

    The midfielder, who dealt with a series of niggling injuries last season, started Toulouse’s first league game of the season in a 2-1 win over Nantes before coming on as a substitution in a 1-1 draw with PSG.

    At 24 years of age, Genreau is only going to get better and if he can nail down a regular spot in Toulouse’s midfield, there’s no reason to assume otherwise.

    He made the Socceroos squad for the recent Argentina friendly and will hope to maintain it in the lead-up to the Asian Cup.

    In France’s second tier is Mohamed Toure, who linked up with Paris FC on loan from Reims.

    The teenager came on as a sub in Paris’ second game of the Ligue Two season against Grenoble but wasn’t in the squad for their other two fixtures due to an unknown injury.

    Even if Toure doesn’t get the minutes he hopes for, a loan experience at 19 is invaluable as he looks to prove himself in France.

    Toulouse’s Australian midfielder Denis Genreau (L) in a pre-season friendly with Roma this month.Source: AFP

    GERMANY

    Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe (FC St Pauli)

    Many have said it before, but it’s hard to think of a footballer who fits a club’s ethos quite like Jackson Irvine does at FC St Pauli.

    The all-action midfielder, who dons the captain’s armband for the club in the German second tier, has started every game for St Pauli this season and will no doubt be a key figure in their push for promotion.

    Irvine is joined at the club by fellow Australian Connor Metcalfe, who moved to St Pauli last season.

    Although the 23-year-old showed glimpses of his quality, he never quite found a consistent run of form.

    But Metcalfe has also started in St Pauli’s three league games so far as a right winger which bodes well for getting opportunities to shine.

    St Pauli came awfully close to promotion to the Bundesliga last season and finished fifth, so expectations will be high for Irvine and Metcalfe to deliver if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.

    Irvine captaining St Pauli this month.Source: Getty Images

    INDIA

    Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan)

    Not many score a hat-trick to win an A-League grand final in their last game, but then again, not many footballers are Jason Cummings.

    The cult hero left a lasting impression both on and off the field in a two-year stint with the Central Coast Mariners where he scored 31 goals from 50 games and earned a spot in Australia’s World Cup squad.

    Cummings has since moved to India for a life-changing salary and has already scored twice for his new club Mohun Bagan in three games.

    However, his status with the national team could come into question given the level of football on show in India.

    Time will tell whether it proves to be a detrimental factor but if Cummings scores goals in India like he did in Australia, it will be hard to argue he doesn’t deserve a spot in the Socceroos squad.

    There’s also Rostyn Griffiths in India, with Mumbai City. The 35-year-old has never been capped for Australia and has missed his chance, but keep an eye out for the Asian Champions League, where he’ll face Saudi mega-team Al-Hilal featuring Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ruben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

    Cummings moved to India after winning the A-League with the Central Coast Mariners.Source: Getty Images

    ITALY

    Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo)

    Cristian Volpato finds himself in new surroundings after moving to Sassuolo from Roma in the summer window for an estimated £6.4 million.

    It is hoped a switch to Sassuolo will lead to increased game time for the talented 19-year-old, although both of his first two games for his new club have come from the bench.

    Volpato did chalk up an assist in Sassuolo’s 5-2 win over Cosenza in the first round of the Italy Cup.

    Prior to the 2023/24 season, Arnold confirmed he would visit Volpato in an attempt to convince him to represent the Socceroos ahead of Italy, but as of now there are no indications who he will play for on the international stage.

    Time will tell on Volpato’s international future, but the teen must focus on performing for his new club first before thinking about whether to don the green and gold or the famous blue of Italy.

    Alessandro Circati (Parma)

    After a lengthy courting process, Arnold finally convinced promising defender Alessandro Circati to pledge his international allegiance to Australia ahead of the Argentina friendly.

    The teenager had the benefit of playing in a defensive unit for Serie B side Parma with legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon barking orders behind him.

    Although Buffon has since retired, Circati has no doubt taken on plenty of wisdom from the Italian superstar and will look to apply it this year for club and country.

    The 19-year-old was part of a defensive unit that kept a clean sheet in Parma’s Serie B opener against Feralpisalo and in their Italy Cup first round clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Bari.

    Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona)

    Having long been heralded as Australia’s key attacking force from midfield, Ajdin Hrustic has struggled in recent times.

    Hrustic moved to Verona from Eintracht Frankfurt in last year’s summer window in search of game time but that never quite materialised.

    The 27-year-old also underwent ankle surgery in early January and is yet to return to the field for Verona in Serie B after they were relegated at the end of last season.

    There’s still plenty of time for Hrustic to turn things around at club level but if he cannot get on the park in the Italian second division, it will spark serious fears for his hopes of making Australia’s Asian Cup squad.

    Hrustic has a lot of work to do.Source: Getty Images

    JAPAN

    Mitch Duke (Machida Zelvia)

    The veteran striker joined Machida Zelvia in January and has had a strong season, with five goals and six assists in 24 appearances in the second division plus a cup goal. He was a regular starter earlier for most of the year but has come off the bench in the last four games for the team currently six points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. His team still has 12 matches to play as they chase promotion.

    Socceroos star Duke and Lionel Messi shake hands at the World Cup.Source: Getty Images

    Mitch Langerak (Nagoya Grampus)

    Langerak is having yet another fantastic season for top-flight side Nagoya Grampus. The entrenched starting goalkeeper has played 28 games in all competitions with just 23 goals conceded and 11 clean sheets. He was a shock omission from last year’s World Cup and at 35 years old appears to be on the outer of the national team, but is consistently performing at the top level and could fill in for the Socceroos at any point. Nagoya are third on the ladder, five points off the lead.

    Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata)

    Deng is also in the top flight with Albirex Niigata, the 14th-placed team. It’s been an up and down season (which began in February) for the 26-year-old central defender. From late May to early June he dropped out of the squad completely, but regained his place for seven-straight starting appearances before a stint off the bench last time out. Overall he’s made 21 appearances in all competitions this year. If he can lock down that place in the starting XI, he’ll continue to press his case for a spot in the Socceroos’ defensive line.

    KOREA

    Harrison Delbridge (Incheon United)

    Delbridge continues to be a mainstay in the backline for Korean side Incheon United, starting 19 of 27 league games this season.

    His impressive form last year earned a call-up to the Socceroos for the double-header against New Zealand where he made his international debut.

    However, Delbridge likely faces an uphill battle to break back into the team with the likes of Souttar, Kye Rowles and Circati ahead of him in the pecking order.

    Delbridge for the Socceroos in September last year.Source: Getty Images

    NETHERLANDS

    Garang Kuol (Volendam, on loan from Newcastle)

    18-year-old Kuol had a difficult first season in Europe, making just nine appearances for Hearts in Scotland on loan from Premier League side Newcastle – and almost all of them coming off the bench. Now he’s been sent to Volendam, a renowned nursery for young players, to get more minutes and continue his development. He got 24 minutes in their first league match of the season but was left out of the squad for the second match. Coach Matthias Kohler said: “We have to be patient with him. That is simply the case with a young player who comes from a foreign competition.”

    Despite his limited minutes at club-land, he picked up his first Socceroos goal against Ecuador in March.

    This will be a big season for Kuol’s growth, and getting as many minutes as possible is crucial.

    Kuol celebrates his first goal for the Socceroos in March.Source: Getty Images

    Mat Ryan (AZ Alkmaar)

    The 31-year-old gloveman is the settled number one at AZ Alkmaar, having joined the Dutch club in January. The Socceroos skipper has had a great start to the season, with two clean sheets in his first five matches – four wins and a draw. Their two league wins and a +6 goal difference has them top of the Eredivisie league ladder, having finished a strong fourth last season.

    On Friday morning, his side continued their bid to reach the third-tier European continental competition – the Europa Conference League – with a 1-1 draw in the first leg against Brann of Norway. Ryan made five saves in another strong showing.

    NORWAY

    Gianni Stensness (Viking FC)

    The 24-year-old centre-back/defensive midfielder had been in fine form in recent months, earning himself a first Socceroos call-up in 12 months against Argentina in June. But things came crashing down when he tore his ACL in training later that month. He’ll be out until the end of the year.

    But young Aussie teammate Patrick Yazbek, 21, is having a sensational season, bagging one goal and five assists in 18 appearances (all comps). The centre-midfielder looks to be a key figure in the Olyroos team aiming to reach the Paris Olympics.

    Rounding out the Australian trio at Viking is Nick D’Agostino, although the striker has largely been consigned to an impact role off the bench.

    SCOTLAND

    Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles, Cameron Devlin, Calem Nieuwenhof (Hearts)

    The Heart of Midlothian contingent again features FOUR Aussies this season, although Garang Kuol has been replaced this year by another young gun Calem Nieuwenhof.

    The team is third in the league after two rounds, with a win and a draw, and are also competing in the Europa Conference League play-offs, where they suffered a 2-1 first-leg loss to Greek league leaders PAOK on Friday morning.

    Right-back Nathaniel Atkinson has started five games so far including that defeat, after a very strong finish to last season after a rollercoaster year saw him bounce in an out of the side but mostly feature off the bench. Early signs are very promising for the 24-year-old as he looks to take a step up in his career.

    25-year-old Kye Rowles has played every minute of their six games in centre-back and is a lock to start. He’ll be hoping to avoid another injury like the metatarsal fracture he suffered in September last year that threatened his World Cup hopes. Luckily he returned in time to star in Qatar and quickly nail down his place in the Hearts’ starting side after that – and this season promises another strong campaign.

    Cameron Devlin has enjoyed a bright start to the season.Source: Getty Images

    Cammy Devlin bagged a brace in the Europa Conference League play-offs a week ago and has started five matches already, coming off the back of a breakout 41-game season last time around. With Aaron Mooy’s retirement, he’ll back himself to step up and fill the gap in the midfield – and his early form certainly boosts his case.

    Calem Nieuwenhof, 22, made the move to Scotland on the back of a truly outstanding individual campaign for the Western Sydney Wanderers. The versatile midfielder is on a four-year contract and has plenty of time to grow, but appears to have settled well after a transfer he called an ‘easy decision’. He started their first league game in an attacking midfield role and a cup game in a defensive midfield position, and his ability to play in different roles is a key reason he should feature plenty off the bench, if not force his way into the starting team.

    Devlin celebrating his brace.Source: Getty Images

    Marco Tilio (Celtic)

    Tilio broke the record for an outbound transfer from Australian shores at the start of July when he left Melbourne City for the Scottish giants for a fee over $2 million Australian. The youngster who turned 22 this month is however still recovering from an unknown injury that he suffered on Olyroos duty in June, with Celtic coach Brendan Rogers revealing last month that Tilio would miss the first few weeks of the season.

    It will take him some time to get up to speed with the intensity of Scottish football and life at the champions. With the likes of Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda on the wings at the club, he’ll find it hard to break into the first team as a regular starter, but he’s got plenty of promise and will look to show what he can do off the bench at first.

    Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain (St Mirren)

    Last season was Keanu Baccus’ first in Scotland after joining St Mirren from Western Sydney Wanderers, and he racked up 36 appearances. That led to St Mirren agreeing a reported £275,000 sale to Bolton in England’s League One (third tier). But the deal fell through – reportedly due to difficulties obtaining a work permit – and reported interest from Scottish rivals Hibernian never eventuated.

    The 25-year-old has played every minute of the club’s two league games already – both wins – and has also picked up one assist in three League Cup matches.

    His physicality and hard work continues to impress in the rough-and-tumble Scottish Premiership, and he’ll hope to guide St Mirren to better than last year’s sixth placed this time around, especially after they struggled at the dying stages of last season.

    With just one year left on his contract, St Mirren will definitely be looking to lock him down on a fresh deal so they can cash in when bigger clubs (almost inevitably) come calling.

    And Baccus continues to go from strength to strength for the Socceroos, playing the full game against Argentina in June. With Aaron Mooy’s retirement, coach Graham Arnold could turn to another Scotland-based player in Baccus to step up at the base of the midfield.

    Baccus battling Argentina in June’s friendly.Source: Getty Images

    Like his club teammate Baccus, Ryan Strain had a standout season in his maiden campaign in Scotland. The right back is receiving interest this transfer window, and a deal could easily still happen before the window closes.

    But manager Stephen Robinson said last month that the club had ‘no bids or offers’ for the player, claiming that meant other clubs were “not realising how good a player” he is.

    “Long may it continue,” the St Mirren boss told BBC Scotland.

    “We don’t want to let him go. We don’t need to sell, we’re not in the [financial] position we were in last year.

    “Ryan’s done terrifically well. He’s a very, very good footballer if he doesn’t complicate the game.”

    He’s started five cup games and bagged four assists already, and also started both league games in a sensational start to the season.

    Scottish journalists are raving about the 26-year-old, with many declaring him the best right wing-back in the league outside of the ‘big two’ of Celtic and Rangers.

    He only debuted for Australia last September and missed the World Cup, but the 26-year-old is arguably the most in-form Socceroo in the world right now.

    Like Baccus, he also is in the final year of his contract, and St Mirren will make handing him a new deal a priority so as not to lose him for free at season’s end.

    It looks like an all-Scottish league battle for Australia’s right back spot between Strain and Atkinson.Source: Getty Images

    Martin Boyle, Jimmy Jeggo, Lewis Miller (Hibernian)

    Martin Boyle is back! Earlier this month, the 30-year-old winger scored a brace in his first competitive fixture since October 2022, when he underwent surgery on an historical ACL injury. He had said days before that the team’s physios must “hate him,” given how hard he was pushing to return ahead of schedule. All up, he’s now had seven starts for three goals. He’s still not fully fit, but signs are promising that he’ll return to his best.

    Jimmy Jeggo has been battling for a spot in the first team at Hibs, making two starts and five bench appearances so far this season. He joined the club in late January and played 17 times in all competitions last season, starting every single one of those games. But Hibernian signed 22-year-old Wales international Dylan Levitt in July, a former Manchester United academy player, and the pair look set to battle for starting duties in the coming weeks.

    It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Lewis Miller, the 22-year-old right back who hasn’t yet played for the Socceroos but has featured for the Under-23 Olyroos. Miller is in his second season with Hibernian, but looks set for far more game time this campaign.

    However, he’ll have to improve his game after a torrid showing in Hibs’ 5-0 loss to Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff clash at Easter Road, where three of the goals came from Miller’s flank.

    SERBIA

    Milos Degenek (Red Star Belgrade)

    Degenek is back for a third stint at his boyhood club, having spent 18 months in the US. With three starts, three wins, and three clean sheets – and the team not conceding after he came off the bench in the other league match – it’s been a perfect opening to the new campaign. The 29-year-old has fit right back in, and looks like he’s cemented himself as one of the first-choice options at the heart of defence. He’ll also get the chance to play in the Champions League once again.

    Interestingly, six-time reigning champions Red Star are playing a three-man backline this campaign, which could give Arnold room to change up his Socceroos defensive structure.

    Degenek is in good form at the start of the new season.Source: Getty Images

    SINGAPORE

    Bailey Wright (Lion City Sailors)

    In a move that caught many by surprise, Bailey Wright left Sunderland a year early to join Singapore Premier League side Lion City Sailors.

    The switch to Singapore brings and end to Wright’s time in England where he had played since 2010.

    Wright confirmed he had received offers from clubs in England and even from the A-League, but turned it down in pursuit of a new challenge in Singapore.

    Having made the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, the decision to move to Singapore is a curious one.

    But the 30-year-old has earned the opportunity to pursue a switch for financial reasons and could still venture down to the A-League at some stage in the future.

    SWITZERLAND

    Awer Mabil (Grasshopper Club Zurich)

    The pacy winger will play in a seventh European country this season after signing a deal at Swiss side Grasshoppers.

    The team is the most successful in Swiss history, but haven’t won the league in two decades and have struggled in recent years – finishing eighth and seventh in the last two seasons after returning to the top flight after a couple of years in the second division.

    They’ve started the new campaign poorly with just one win and one draw from their first four games, meaning Mabil has a great opportunity to cement a spot in the line-up.

    It is a much-needed move for the Aussie with 32 international caps and nine goals to his name. Having struggled for game time at Cadiz in Spain’s La Liga (six appearances), he moved to Czechia for the latter half of last season with Sparta Prague, but 15 of his 16 appearances came off the bench. He scored twice (both penalties) and added three assists.

    Ahead of his 28th birthday next month, he’ll hope for regular minutes to return to top form. The deal is for two years with an option for a third.

    QATAR

    Trent Sainsbury (Al Wakrah)

    Having been left out of the Socceroos squad for the World Cup, many felt it was the end of the road in the national team for 31-year-old Trent Sainsbury.

    Whether he can force his way back into contention remains to be seen, but starting for Qatari side Al Wakrah will give him the best chance possible for that.

    Sainsbury started and kept a clean sheet in his side’s Qatar Stars League opener against Muaither SC as Al Wakrah ran out 3-0 winners.

    But no matter how often he plays in Qatar, Sainsbury has plenty of bodies in front of him if he is to return to the heart of the Socceroos backline.

    Sainsbury’s last Socceroos match in September 2022.Source: Getty Images

    WHO ELSE?

    Left-back Brad Smith is in the USA for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo, where he’s scored two goals in 15 appearances (all comps). But he’s struggling to lock in a spot in the first team and a recall to the Socceroos looks unlikely.

    Meanwhile, Tom Rogic is without a club after leaving West Brom in May after a difficult season. He turned down an optional one-season extension on his contract and has not yet found a new club. It mirrors what happened 12 months ago, when he left Celtic but didn’t find a new club – West Brom – until September. This time around, the 30-year-old might look for an easier challenge, including a possible return down under.

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  • Teen prodigy seals third-biggest Aussie transfer ever as Socceroos locked in Italy tug of war

    Teen prodigy seals third-biggest Aussie transfer ever as Socceroos locked in Italy tug of war

    Aussie-Italian young gun Cristian Volpato has sealed a move from Italian heavyweights Roma to fellow Serie A side Sassuolo.

    The deal is reportedly worth €9 million ($14.77m AUD, per GOAL Italia) making it the third-highest transfer fee for an Australian of all time. That comes behind the £15 million base fee paid by Leicester for Harry Souttar in January ($28.5m AUD based on current exchange rates), and the £10m paid by Huddersfield Town to Manchester City for Aaron Mooy in 2017 ($A19m).

    Australia has been locked in a fierce tug of war for the 19-year-old playmaker’s services with Italy, who have capped the youngster at youth international level. Volpato turned down a Socceroos call-up for the 2022 World Cup but is still considered in the frame for selection.

    Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said recently he was planning to meet with Volpato again in August as the national team builds towards next year’s Asian Cup.

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    Volpato was born and raised in Sydney, before eventually moving to Rome’s academy as a teen. He caught the eye of Italy and Roma great Francesco Totti, joining his management agency before even playing for the senior team.

    He made his debut for Roma in December 2021 against fellow giants Inter Milan, and managed two goals in 14 appearances (all competitions) since then, all while learning under legendary manager Jose Mourinho.

    Volpato especially thanked Mourinho when he took to social media to write: “Thank you Roma … I don’t know where to start … I just know that I say thank you for how you welcomed me … I arrived that I was a child and together with you I grew up, the road was long … but with you I realised the dream I had … to play in Serie A.”

    “I will never forget the emotion of the debut, the warmth of the fans who I will always carry you in my heart!”

    “I particularly want to thank Mister Mourinho, the club and all those who work behind the scenes. You will always be in my heart.”

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    Jose Mourinho with Volpato.Source: Getty Images

    He joins a Sassuolo side that finished 13th in Italy’s top flight last season, their ninth-straight in the division.

    Having struggled to break through to Roma’s first XI, it presents a sensational opportunity for the teen prodigy to earn more first-team minutes and continue his remarkable rise.

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  • Key player pulls out of $185m race for England star; Volpato linked with surprise move: Rumour Mill

    Key player pulls out of $185m race for England star; Volpato linked with surprise move: Rumour Mill

    Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of an England international, while Manchester United have just about “confirmed” their first signing of the summer.

    Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku has been offered a staggering $AUD37 million salary while Cristian Volpato could find himself at a new club.

    Catch up on all of the transfer whispers doing the rounds in the latest edition of the Rumour Mill!

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    O’Neill signs for Standard Liege | 01:57

    MORE COVERAGE
    Mbappe doubles down on shock PSG call as $195m battle for superstar set to ensue

    Rival clubs on red alert as Mbappe drops major bombshell on next move

    Rumour Mill: Ange ‘on the verge’ of first Spurs signing as $154m flop offered exit route from Utd

    MAJOR PLAYER PULLS OUT IN $185M RICE RACE

    One key player in the race for West Ham United captain Declan Rice has pulled out, leaving the door wide open for a Premier League heavyweight to have an uncontested run for the midfielder.

    Sky Germany reports Bayern Munich, who held a big interest in the England international, have deemed the pursuit too expensive and will not lodge a bid for the midfielder.

    Rice had held talks with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel and was reportedly open to a switch to the German giants, but it’s now seemingly off the table.

    It leaves Arsenal as the leading and basically only candidates gunning to sign Rice.

    However, the Gunners will likely have to pay approximately $185 million (per The Guardian) bring Rice to the Emirates in what would be a massive statement of intent for their title aspirations next season.

    Declan Rice looks destined to become an Arsenal player. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    MAGUIRE’S WORST FEARS REALISED AS RED DEVILS’ NEXT ARRIVAL ‘CONFIRMED’

    Manchester United have wasted little time in their summer transfer business, with a Serie A winner set to bolster the Red Devils’ backline.

    According to Il Mattino, a deal for Napoli defender Kim Min-Jae has been “confirmed” and the South Korean international will link up with the club on July 1.

    The Napoli star will reportedly earn $16 million-per-year in a bumper contract upgrade.

    Should the deal go through, it spells danger for Manchester United captain Harry Maguire’s future at the club as he is pushed even further down the pecking order.

    The Red Devils skipper struggled for game time behind centre back pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, so Kim’s arrival will likely decrease that even more.

    Kim Min-Jae is set to join Manchester United on July 1. (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)Source: AFP

    $14M VOLPATO BID COULD FUEL THE FIGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL ALLEGIANCE

    Cristian Volpato’s time at Italian heavyweights Roma could be over, with a fellow Serie A rival on the brink of snapping up the teenager.

    Volpato, who grew up in Australia but has represented Italy at youth level, has been handed minutes off the bench under Roma boss Jose Mourinho.

    However, the 19-year-old could see more regular appearances as Goal Italia reports Roma have agreed a $14 million fee with Sassuolo for Volpato.

    Should the move go through and Volpato secure increased game time, it will certainly put Italy on red alert amid the international tug of war for his services with the Socceroos.

    Cristian Volpato could be headed for the exit door at Roma. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP)Source: AFP

    GOALSCORING MACHINE OFFERED EYE-WATERING $37M SAUDI DEAL

    Could a Belgian goalscoring machine become the latest big name to move to Saudi Arabia?

    According to The Guardian, Saudi club Al-Hilal has offered Romelu Lukaku a deal worth up to $37 million in an effort to tempt him to the Middle East.

    The report claims Lukaku has met with officials from Al-Hilal in Paris after the Champions League final, although the striker is more keen to stay with Inter Milan.

    Lukaku is, of course, contracted to Chelsea and was on loan with Inter.

    The Italian outfit also has financial troubles which could make a permanent move for Lukaku a difficult deal.

    Al-Hilal had previously set their sights on signing global superstar Lionel Messi and had even offered the Argentinian a mind-blowing salary of $796 million, but he has since turned it down and will join MLS outfit Inter Miami instead.



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