- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After a rise in profile, a career-best season and, more recently, the equalising goal against Melbourne Heart, asking Aaron Mooy whether he has considered returning to Europe is a fairly obvious question.
His answer to that one will keep Western Sydney Wanderers fans on edge for the next year at least. It’s bound to happen, but losing a player of such magnitude would be hard to fathom.
Of course, in the typically reserved manner that he carries off the field – light years away from his football personality – he responded in diplomatic fashion.
“I haven’t really thought about (going to Europe) yet, I’m just trying to focus on the season with the Wanderers and play well,” he told The Roar.
“Every player wants to play at the highest level that they can so we’ll see what happens but I’m enjoying my time at the Wanderers right now and I’m loving it.”
A sigh of relief from the red and black faithful.
When the 23-year-old returned to Australian shores to play professional football in his home country for the first time, few could believe that he was unsuccessful in Europe.
A stint with English club Bolton Wanderers looked promising and came complete with a permanent offer. But the sidelines never did suit Mooy very well. Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren offered more as a career path, but regularity proved a stumbling block.
Mooy was on the cusp, but wasn’t quite there yet. Fast forward 18 months and the gaffer at St Mirren would be quite pleased with the renovation job the Westfields Sports High product has undertaken.
Saturday’s goal against Heart was somewhat a rarity, but Mooy has developed into the complete player. The presence of Shinji Ono has meant his defensive duties are more pertinent for the Wanderers, though creative through balls and pinpoint long passes – reminiscent of Steven Gerrard – have become a regular feature of this enterprising player.
There is an edge to Mooy’s game that wasn’t present during his time in Scotland and a consistent end to the season will undoubtedly have the overseas clubs circling.
Attitude and new found confidence have made Mooy’s Australian adventure already successful and optimism is duly warranted.
“I’ve learnt tonnes over the last year and a half, I’ve matured as a player and improved a lot since I came here in a lot of areas,” he added.
“When I first came back I wanted to play games, which I’ve been doing so that’s a positive but I always try and improve every training session and every game. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing well, I’m always trying to improve.”
Many young Australians have made the mistake of boarding a plane too soon, something Mooy must have almost felt guilty of. Now, in a game where timing is everything, Mooy has a chance to catapult his career and a move back to the big leagues should be one of the first things on his mind as this season draws to a close.
It’s also a testament to the A-League, which has revived the careers of many highly regarded Australians – and foreigners.
An impressive start to his first A-League campaign earned Mooy his Socceroos debut during the East Asian Cup qualifying tournament, where he netted a couple of screamers to validate his selection.
Is a place at the 2014 World Cup beyond the realms of possibility?
“I don’t really know what Ange (Postecoglou) has planned… I just have to try and play as well as I can for the Wanderers.
“Being in the East Asian Cup squad was unbelievable, playing for your national team is a great honour and I was really proud to play for my country. Once you do it you want to do it again so it gives you a lot of motivation.”
He may be adamant on brushing away the hype, but Europe is calling for Aaron Mooy and it is a chance he mustn’t pass up.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.