How good is it that the lynchpins of the MV midfield are local and young players....Veladon and Teague have been superb
I've seen a lot of Valadon and Teague for the Aus U 23s, and more of Teague in the AL.
Valadon is superb on the ball as passer and mover in tight spaces, has great vision, makes good decisions quickly, and has a silky first touch - but he needs to get better as ball winner and his defensive running when the other team has the ball. So far this season in the two A L games played, Valadon has had a lot of ball. He has used it very well too.
If his teams ( Melb Vic or Aus U23s) are dominating, JV is a midfield general type of player, but if the opposition are controlling possession, he tends to struggle to break up attacks. He is overpowered physically, doesn't read the play well enough yet to make lots of intercepts and doesn't seem to have the acceleration off the mark, like a Jason Culina, to close down space and force errors.
Teague has lifted his ball winning capacity this season. He holds position well as a DM or single screener.
With young players of these two's high quality, I'm not as worried about 'potential' Socceroos with dual nationality overseas. If JV improves his ball winning these two are very high class midfielders and are improving fast.
ATM Melb Vic are playing some excellent football. They were last season too, but couldn't score.