World Cup Watch - Australia - Players Who Could Be Useful Bolters in the Socceroos Squad
After the longest ever World Cup qualifying campaign, the Socceroos are off to Russia.
Going into the tournament, many Australia fans have high hopes and are expecting the squad to strongly contest for a place in the knock-out stages of the tournament.
It's fair to say that the majority of the squad is already locked in, with players such as Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Mile Jedinak, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic and Mat Leckie all guaranteed a ticket to Russia (barring injury). However, new boss Bert van Marwijk will bring a new philosophy to the side and still have numerous spots to fill in his final 23 man squad.
As a result, even after all the stars and key players are selected, many other players will still be in the running for a World Cup berth.
So, we at WFC have looked into those not guaranteed of a place in the Australian World Cup Squad. These players all offer something the Socceroos team could use, and should at least be considered by van Marwijk.
Tomislav Mrĉela
Age:
27
Position/s:
Centre back
Club/s
(appearances): Imotski (41), RNK Spilt (0), NK Mosor Zrnovnica (12), NK
Hrvatski Dragovolljac (27), NK Lokomotiva Zagreb (59), Jeonnam Dragons (49)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: Mrĉela has been a journeyman amongst Croatian football clubs, being a
mainstay at centre back since the age of 20 at each club he has been at. As a
result, Mrĉela is experienced at defending against quality European opponents.
The 195 cm giant would also add some much needed height to the Australian
backline and is a threat from set pieces.
Alex Wilkinson
Age:
33
Position/s:
Centre back
Club/s
(appearances): Central Coast Mariners (172), Jiangsu Sainty (12), Jeonbuk
Hyundai Motors (86), Melbourne City (10), Sydney FC (50)
Australia
appearances: 16
Our
say: A member of the Australian World Cup squad in 2014, as well as the 2015
Asian Cup winning squad, Wilkinson is an experienced and proven defender. Once
stand in skipper of the Socceroos, Wilkinson has proven at Sydney FC that he
still has much to offer, and his cool head and game reading abilities could
prove vital at the 2018 World Cup, especially in mentoring the younger
defenders such as Sainsbury, Jurman, Wright and Degenek.
Luke Wilkshere
Age:
36
Position/s:
Right back
Club/s
(appearances): Middlesbrough (22), Bristol City (112), Twente (69), Dynamo
Moscow (170), Feyenoord (27), Akhmat Grozny (7), Sydney FC (20)
Australia
appearances: 80
Our
say: Australia’s 8th most capped player of all time was
unceremoniously frozen out of the national team by former manager Ange
Postecoglou, despite playing at two World Cups, two Asian Cups, and one
Confederations Cup. Along with 80 Socceroos caps, Wilkshere has also been a key
player at high level clubs. Despite not being as quick as he once was,
Wilkshere is as skilful and defensively solid as ever, as shown by his sublime
performances for Sydney FC. With not many Australian right backs standing out,
it’s hard to argue that Wilkshere isn’t Australia’s best right back heading
into the World Cup.
Michael Zullo
Age:
29
Position/s:
Left back, left midfield
Club/s
(appearances): Brisbane Roar (53), FC Utrecht (36), Adelaide United (24),
Melbourne City (15), Sydney FC (48)
Australia
appearances: 10
Our
say: Australia has an embarrassment of riches at left back, but Zullo’s form
has put him well in the race for a World Cup spot. A key cog in Sydney FC’s
dominance, Zullo has registered 2 goals and 8 assists in 17 appearances for the
A League leaders this season. If he keeps his form up, Zullo will be hard to
look past.
James Meredith
Age:
29
Position/s:
Left back
Club/s
(appearances): Derby (0), Cambridge United (1), Chesterfield United (1), Silgo
Rovers (4), Shrewsbury Town (3), AFC Telford United (28), York City (131),
Bradford City (223), Milwall (32)
Australia
appearances: 2
Our
say: A member of Australia’s large left back brigade, Meredith has been a
consistent performer in England’s lower leagues for years now. He has recently
claimed that he is Australia’s best left back, but will face a tough task to
make the squad ahead of the likes of Aziz Behich, Alex Gersbach and Michael
Zullo. His downfall may be his attacking output, which does not compare to his
aforementioned competitors.
Andy Rose
Age:
27
Position/s:
Centre midfield, defensive midfield, right midfield, left midfield, attacking
midfield, right back
Club/s
(appearances): Seattle Wolves (now Washington Crossfire) (8), Ventura County
Fusion (18), Seattle Sounders (107), Coventry City (40), Motherwell (33)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: The brother-in-law of former USA, Toronto, Roma and Borussia
Mönchengladbach superstar Michael Bradley, Rose is possibly Australia’s most
versatile footballer. Bringing with him experience at quality clubs, Rose would
provide decent cover in many positions.
Brandon O’Neill
Age:
23
Position/s:
Defensive midfield, centre midfield
Club/s
(appearances): Perth Glory (17), Sydney FC (75)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: O’Neill has had a very fast rise to prominence. In two seasons, he has
gone from someone who was considered a risky signing by Graham Arnold, to one of
Australia’s best central midfielders. O’Neill is an accomplished passer, effective
tackler, and a player who exudes an air of class around him. A future Socceroos
star, capping O’Neill would give him exposure to the national team set up, and
prevent Ireland trying to persuade him to align with them.
Josh Brillante
Age:
24
Position/s:
Defensive midfield, centre midfield, right back
Club/s
(appearances): Gold Coast United (14), Newcastle Jets (46), Fiorentina (2),
Empoli (1), Como (21), Sydney FC (47)
Australia
appearances: 5
Our
say: Since Brillante’s national team axe after the 2014 World Cup, he has
developed into a truly dominant defensive midfielder. Time in Italy helped him
to refine his skills and learn from great players, and a return to the A League
at Sydney FC has provided Brillante with the perfect chance to showcase how
good a player he is. Completing the 1st most passes and 3rd
most tackles in the A League this season, Brillante is a player who has an
enormous engine and does not mind getting his hands dirty. In the mould of a Mile
Jedinak, Brillante’s combatant style of play may come in handy against the type
of attacking players Australia will face at the World Cup.
Kenny Dougall
Age:
24
Position/s:
Defensive midfield, centre midfield, left back
Club/s
(appearances): Brisbane City (34), Telstar (29), Sparta Rotterdam (80)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: To be honest, it’s a surpise that Kenny Dougall hasn’t been given at
chance at international level yet. A regular in the Eredivisie for Sparta
Rotterdam, Dougall is a composed passer and skillful dribbler, but also adept at
tackling and making interceptions. Dougall’s all round midfield play would see
him fit seamlessly into the Australian set up, and we have a hinting suspicion
that new boss Bert van Marwijk will take a liking to Dougall and select him the
World Cup squad.
Brad Inman
Age:
26
Position/s:
Left midfield, right midfield, centre midfield, attacking midfield, left wing,
right wing, striker
Club/s
(appearances): Newcastle United (0), Crewe Alexandra (134), Peterborough (12),
Rochdale (31)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: Despite representing Scotland at junior level, Inman has pledged
allegiance to Australia, and was subsequently called into the Socceroos squad
for the 2016 friendly against England. Able to play anywhere in midfield or
attack, Inman is a very dangerous player who possesses speed and directness. Given
he has been playing in the English lower leagues for his whole career, Inman
has quality, and could be a useful player at the World Cup.
Daniel Arzani
Age:
19
Position/s:
Left wing, right wing, attacking midfield
Club/s
(appearances): Melbourne City (15)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: One of the most prestigiously talented footballers Australia has produced
in recent years, Arzani has been setting the A League alight this season. Mark
Bosnich has called for Arzani to be capped in the near future to prevent Iran
from capping him, and the perfect chance to do this may be in the lead up to
the World Cup. This would provide Arzani with great experience to prepare him
for the future, and also add some flair to the Socceroos side.
Nikola Mileusnic
Age:
24
Position/s:
Right wing, left wing, striker
Club/s
(appearances): Adelaide United (42)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: Mileusnic’s performances this season deserve greater praise than he has
received. In 24 games (all competitions), the 24 year old has scored 6 goals
and provided 5 assists, often terrorising opposition defences with his pace and
dribbling skills. His finishing has been wayward at times, but he could be a
useful player off the bench for the Socceroos and has a big future in green and
gold.
Dimi Petratos
Age:
25
Position/s:
Attacking midfield, right wing, left wing, centre midfield, striker
Club/s
(appearances): Sydney FC (34), Kelantan (0), Brisbane Roar (98), Ulsan Hyundai
(9), Newcastle United Jets (19)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: Having moved through the ranks of Australia’s national junior sides,
Petratos is yet to make the move to the Socceroos. However, with his form this
season, Dimi is right in the mix for a World Cup spot. Dominating the A League
this season, Petratos has scored 8 goals (1 shot every 30.3 minutes) and
provided 9 assists (1 shot assist every 30.3 minutes). His overall attacking skills,
versatility and outstanding form would see Petratos fit very well into the
Australian set up.
Brandan
Borrello
Age:
22
Position/s:
Right wing, striker, left wing
Club/s
(appearances): Brisbane Roar (88), FC Kaiserslautern (16)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: Borrello took a while to adjust to life in Germany, but has been
performing at a high level over the past month or so. In 12 Bundesliga 2
appearances this season, he has scored 1 goal and provided 4 assists. Off the
bench for the Socceroos, Borrello would bring energy and speed that would
threaten defences late in games.
Andrew Nabbout
Age:
25
Position/s:
Right wing, left wing, striker
Club/s
(appearances): Melbourne Victory (45), Negeri Sembilan FA (12), Newcastle
Untied Jets (44)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: After performing so well last season, Nabbout has taken his form to
another level this season. In 20 appearances, he has netted 9 goals and
provided 8 assists. Impressively, Nabbout hits the target with 50% of his
shots, and is a perfect mix of pace, strength and aerial ability. With
Australia looking for another striker, Nabbout could be van Marwijk’s man.
Golgol Mebrahtu
Age:
27
Position/s:
Striker, right wing
Club/s
(appearances): Gold Coast United (26), Melbourne Heart (now Melbourne City)
(26), Western Sydney Wanderers (9), FK Mladá Boleslav (43)
Australia
appearances: 0
Our
say: We never thought that we’d be saying this, but Golgol Mebrahtu could be
the man to lead Australia’s frontline at the World Cup. Since his move from
Western Sydney Wanderers to Mladá Boleslav in the Czech first division in 2016,
Mebrahtu has scored 19 goals and provided 2 assists in 43 appearances. In fact,
this season has been his most prolific ever, scoring 9 goals and providing 1
assist in 17 appearances. Excelling in Europe’s 13th best football
league, as well as in Europa League Qualifiers, Mebrahtu looks ready to earn
his first Socceroos cap in the lead up to the World Cup. If he performs well in
the friendlies, the striking role could be his in Russia.
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