The last three Australian Johnny Warren medalists ended up 1. Benched in Scotland 2. Playing in the Dutch 2nd Division and 3. Before he came back to the A-league, playing in the Saudi league (I think for a relegated team, but could be wrong). So yes, I there is a bigger gap than we realise.
These are desperate plays.
I feel like Australian football is still stuck in flawed and disproven research that was pushed very heavily by the AIS in the 1990’s that weight training under the age of 18 stunts your growth.
I reckon go early (17-18) or go when you have 60-70+ games and have been A-league first choice for 2 seasons like Metcalfe, Bos, Balard, O’Neill. The guys who go after 1/2 an A-league season at 20 seem to succeed the least.
I don't begrudge them going - just coming back. When you are 20 and not earning much and you have the chance for big money you are going to take it. This is not a normal career path. Realistically you could get a career ending injury any time - so if the chance comes take it. But if it doesn't work out there work harder - find a more appropriate club.
I would add that they would need to be regular starters. Arzani was always a sub for MC. Warren Joyce wasn't overly impressed with Arzani's work rate (about the only time he got something right). Kuol, super sub. The other issue is choosing the right club - Mechelen was a good fit for Teague but I think that by now he should give up on the European dream and either remain comfortable in the A-League or look at Japan or South Korea.
Kuol is a perfect example. Imagine if he’d played a season where he started 25 games and went to Holland/Belgium. Imagine if he’d played two. Certainly a lot higher than trying to kickstart his career in Czechia.
There's also an element of luck/fate in these moves. The club fit is important. As is fitness. I think Teagues injury was really badly timed. Who knows how he'd have gone without injury.
Who knows what's up with that? The player is scouted, interviewed and signed only to be ignored by the coach. What convinced them to sign him in the first place?
I think you could equally point to less well credentialled players going o/s and hitting the ground running. I don't think many thought Sapsford would have such a good season when he moved for example.
Agree with this. You're more likely to succeed with some baseline experience to support you.
Football 360 just issued a teaser for an interview with Arzani. He seems to have matured.
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Realistically he has done nothing every time he goes away from Australia. He scores at the rate of 1 goal every 546 minutes in first tier football - including Australia where he is most prolific (i.e around 1 goal every 6 games) and provides 2 assists in the same time frame. He is a solid ALM player - he's not going to surprise anyone. when he needs to jump up to World Cup level.Football 360 just issued a teaser for an interview with Arzani. He seems to have matured.
17K views · 132 reactions | This is Daniel Arzani as honest as we've ever seen him 🇦🇺🗣️ The Socceroos winger explains exactly how Tony Popovic helped him 'cut that bulls*** out of his head' to change his entire outlook. "He's had such a tremendous
This is Daniel Arzani as honest as we've ever seen him 🇦🇺🗣️ The Socceroos winger explains exactly how Tony Popovic helped him 'cut that bulls*** out of his head' to change his entire outlook. "He's...
Early career he seemed a bit immature and terrible injury luck.
I think this latest move seems a case of bad club fit.
I'd honestly be happy with him kicking about in the AL doing well and unleashing him on unsuspecting teams who'll underestimate him.