A look at the Socceroos' Golden Thirties players

I don't think that has effected Wenger's budget; he's just on a mis-guided crusade do prove success can be achieved on the cheap. He always finds some reason or another to block a move, even when the player in move is begging to be bought. Apparently he had Kaka over for a trial but refused to pay something like 4 million... Your American doesn't have debts?

That doesn't prove he's the 'most highly-regarded' player.

"as for the so-called ‘freud of football’, cahill was once more of an attacking midfielder but it is moyes who has developed him into a striker of sorts rather than him affording cahill any luxury… to intimate cahill is ‘lucky’ smacks of an agenda that some rigorous analysis could purge… i guess its up to the ‘freud of football’ to seek the appropriate guidance…" I know what Cahill was, I've seen him play since his Millwall days and clearly remember him in the FA Cup Final against Man United, he was the only player who looked like he could compete at that level. But even back then he was seen as an attacking/centre midfielder who was good going forward but mediocre in the middle, in his time at Everton he pushed forward further, sort of 'in the hole' but then again not really as he is not a playmaker so all he really did was get in Arteta's (who by the way is far better than Cahill - yes I'm looking at you David) way, so he went ahead of Arteta but still didn't play as a genuine striker, he doesn't play off the shoulder and he doesn't play just in behind, he's plays in a hole in front of the hole. He roams and he does this because his all-round skills aren't good enough for him to be a genuine striker or a genuine number 10. He is given freedom because that is the best way to utilise his 'instinct', which Estragon, I said is what Cahill had, I distanced myself from calling him 'Lucky' as his goals - the most important part of his game for club and country - aren't luck, they are predatory - go back and read over that one again.

No I'm not joking. He may be one of our best but "one of the English Premier Leagues’ best players." he is not. He is totally overrated and as both myself and Fisher Price have noted, requires a very specific system to fit in. If you want to know why McDonald hasn't scored for Aus, look no further than Cahill. McDonald plays well with another forward alongside him or in front but with Cahill playing for Aus he occupies some of the space that McDonald otherwise would and Cahill isn't creative, he's not good on the ball, he's no fantastic leader, his defensive skills are non-existant and he doesn't have the best shot on him for a supposed forward. Cahill has his strengths and in Moyes and Verbeek, two men who know how to utilise them. He often gets carried through games simply because he only needs one corner or one half chance and he can change the game. Rarely is he best-afield, that's just not his game, he isn't an all-rounder, he's a poacher and good from set-pieces but that doesn't make him; "one of the English Premier Leagues’ best players."

rather see spiranovic or coyne or Kisnorbo or Rudan before the Muskrat keeping out those foreign WC attackers.

You're joking Fof! Tim Cahill is one of our best and will star again on the World Cup stage - only difference being he will start every game as our attacking midfielder and not on the bench like Guus used him.

Wenger would never want Cahill, he would never fit in with Arsenal's movement because he's not great on or off the ball, he's an opportunist and Arsenal need 11 players who can pass and run, with Cahill they'd have 10. He is certainly an excellent judge of talent and Cahill was looking good at Millwall, Everton certainly got a bargain picking him up so cheap but that's not to say that Arsenal should have ever made the move. Wenger has seen most of he great names before they were big and in most cases it was one thing or another that stopped the move. I think with Drogba it was the mental side of his game and C Ronaldo, well United just moved quicker. You also seem to be forgetting that Arsenal built a very expensive new stadium so while they might make profit, they've got debts.

Yes, had you clicked on that picture of Barnes you'd have noted that I'm a Man Utd supporter.

For all u Cahill haters im just gana say this SUPER MAN WERES TIM CAHILL PJ'S!

Kewell was gun a liverpool 8 goals in 14 games i think 4 of them were off the bench his not that good enough mor but id say his still our best player

he starts every game is pretty much never rested because his so important Moyes always protests when he goes to play for Australia cuz he doesnt want Cahill to get injured his one of there highest scoring players last season and his a mid fielder. AND HIS CAPTAIN ATM

Unfortunately in this country we do have a too-rosy view of some of our own players even if they're no more than standard fodder in the leagues they play in.

Freud of football said "Cahill is unbelievably overrated by Australians". Like it's soooo unbelievable that we rate a player who constantly, constantly wins us games. And one of those wins was the most important we've ever had. If you don't know that instinctual goal-scorers are priceless, then you don't know football.

That's true. He was impressive in the last World Cup finals, having been switched to the centre by Hiddink. Back in club football, he wasn't ambitious/confident enough to join Liverpool when they wanted him, so I doubt he would have succeeded at Barcelona. Nor I suspect would Barcelona have paid the buns he was on at West Ham.

Considering Wenger purchased (and continues to pay!) that dreadful ex-Man United left-back, anything possible... But seriously... I actually don't think that Cahill, as a front-third player, has ever had the skill or passing ability to fit in with Wenger's playing philosphy. Doesn't mean that Wenger hasn't still admired the player for his efforts for Everton. And bear in mind, Wenger has in the past considered (but then inexplicably passed up) the chance to sign the likes of C Ronaldo (from Porto), Kaka (from Brazil), Torres (from Atletico), Villa (from Valencia), plus the then French-based trio of Essien, Drogba and Cech, so I wouldn't read to much into any possible Cahill interest, particularly as buying from a fellow English club was never going to present the type of bargain (i.e: cheap purchase) that Wenger prefers. If Arsenal had more cash? They charge the highest ticket prices in Europe and made a $50 million profit last year, whilst Wenger's on $5m a year. Lack of cash is not an issue.

To be fair on Neiill He generally rises and perform better for the Socceroos then he does for the club. His performance at the World Cup was his purple patch and he was exceptional in most of the match and he had a great match against Italy until he falled down at the end. It was rumoured that he was considered for Barcalona until Frank Rijkaard crossed him of the list after that fateful fall against Fabio Grosso. Mind you it would probably have been a dud signing if Rijkaard did buy him.

When Ballan D'or nomination was announced and Wenger was asked what he thought about the nomination. Wenger immediately singled out Tim Cahill for praised out of all the players who were in the top 50 list. I get the feeling that if Arsenal had more cash or if Tim Cahill didn't sign another contract with Everton that Arsene Wenger would have considered buying Tim Cahill.

Quite what Muscat has to do with this I do not know. Sure, it would a blow not have Neill at the World Cup, but that's more an indictment on the central defensive depth Australia has / Verbeek's unwillingness to give the younger centre backs a decent run in the side. As for his 'vital' leadership... he didn't seem too bothered about leading the side while he was holding out for a wage as close to the (ridiculous) money West Ham had him on. But maybe the players rate him as a captain - I don't know. Your blog makes 'Never Questionable' Neill out to be a far better player than he is. "Cool and calm personality shows he's serious about his football and a true role model for kids...Neill's best is yet to come". Are you the founder of his fan club?