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While it may be a bit premature to say that Oliver Bozanic should already book his flights to Rio, he is certainly making all the right noise at his new Swiss club FC Luzern.
With four goals in two games it seems that Australia has a genuine box to box, goal scoring midfielder in the wings.
These sorts of displays will certainly get Holger’s attention and will remind Mariners fans that a back to back grand final will be hard without this young star.
In his three seasons at the Mariners, ‘Ollie’ formed a formidable midfield partnership with Michael McGlinchey and co. and was often the unheralded star of the team. However we could all clearly see the sort of talent he possessed.
Last season we did not get to see the best of Bozanic due to injury, but
Bozanic in his three seasons racked up 13 assists and three goals in 70 league appearances playing in his left midfield role. He scored a memorable double against the Brisbane Roar in the 2010/11 season, endorsing his clear box to box midfield credentials.
We can’t forget that Bozanic was signed by English Premier League side Reading as an 18-year-old, clearly revealing the talent that he boasted from a young age.
Whilst never cracking the first team, he was loaned out to several lower league clubs, such as Woking and Aldershot Town, appearing regularly and producing more goals and assists.
Reading released Bozanic in 2010, and Graham Arnold was in no hesitation to swiftly snap up the gifted midfielder in need of regular game time. Arnold who worked with Bozanic during his appearances for the Olyroos knew what kind of talent the youngster possessed.
Arnold spoke highly of the former Under 23 captain and in early 2013 stated, “We certainly know what he is capable of, and at 24 we are convinced Ollie’s best form is yet to come. He’s a player with big ambitions and goals for himself.”
This was no doubt true, with Bozanic signing for his new club FC Luzern this year, his goal of once again playing in Europe was accomplished. As Arnold points out, at 24 he is on the verge of hitting his footballing pinnacle, and it is evident early that Bozanic has made the right career move.
Holger made it adamant that regular game time is a prerequisite for selection for Rio next year, and signing for FC Luzern will ensure that this will be met for Bozanic.
Not only has Ollie started in both Swiss Super League games, he has scored an incredible four world class goals. You only have to see the highlights of them down below to see that he is on the verge of something big.
Ollie Bozanic can join the likes of James Holland, Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse, in youngsters making a wise choice in their big European moves.
Finishing runners up in the Swiss Super League in 2012 and with one domestic title and two Swiss Super Cups, the club is certainly a credible outfit.
Playing further up the field for FC Luzern, in almost a second striker role, Bozanic has been described by local journalists as an ‘offensive specialist’ and that he has the ‘quality to play a formative role in the league.’ This is certainly encouraging press from the locals, who seem incredibly impressed with young Ollie.
We can only hope that he remains injury free and continues to have a dominant season that will see him on the plane to Rio.
Bozanic can join the likes of Mile Sterjovski, Scott Chipperfield and Ljubo Miličević, who all made a name for themselves in the Swiss competition, ranked as the 14th best league in Europe in 2011.
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