Former Socceroos winger Stan Lazaridis has declared Josh Risdon the best right back in the country, saying the Perth Glory defender has even become too good for the A-League.
Risdon is in line to earn his third Socceroos cap when Australia take on England at the Stadium of Light on May 27.
Lazaridis says Risdon has the chance to become a Socceroos main-stay ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and he hopes the 23-year-old will make the switch to Europe after spending one more season with Glory.
“I do believe he should be overseas … because he’s too good to still be here,” Lazaridis said of Risdon, who is contracted to Glory for one more season.
“And I mean that in a really good way.
“I said to him that he’s got to be playing for some Dutch team next year, or the year after. Maybe win Glory a flag (first).”
Ivan Franjic, Tarek Elrich, Jason Geria, and Ryan McGowan are other right-back options at the disposal of Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.
But Lazaridis said Risdon trumped them all, comparing the West Australian to former Tottenham defender Stephen Carr.
“Josh is just like this angry little dog that won’t leave you alone,” Lazaridis said.
“He keeps running, and he goes forward.
“He’s probably been the best right back in Australia for the past three years … and I think he can make that spot his own.
“Josh needs to work on a couple of things, probably his final delivery and when he chooses to go forward. But that will come with experience.”
Risdon said he was looking forward to taking on the might of England, who are in the thick of preparing for next month’s Euro 2016.
Lazaridis was part of the Australian outfit who stunned England 3-1 on enemy territory in the last match between the two countries in 2003.
Risdon hopes an under-strength Australian outfit can emulate that success.
The Socceroos will be without the likes of Tim Cahill, Mathew Leckie, Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Spiranovic and Nathan Burns, but Risdon is still daring to dream of an upset.
“You don’t want to go in with the mentality that it’s a hard game and we’re going to get thrashed,” Risdon said.
“You want to go in thinking you can win, no matter who the opponent is.
“Watching a game like that (when Australia beat England 13 years ago) inspires you on – watching your heroes.
“It was definitely a game that drove me on to become a professional player.”
Lazaridis knows it will be an even tougher challenge to knock off England this time around.
“We caught England by surprise that night. We were really under-estimated. That won’t happen this time around,” Lazaridis said.
Sam McCosker
Roar Pro
I feel as though his nerves took over on his Socceroos debut. Plenty of woeful crosses on his behalf and what not. Deep down when comfortable on the pitch, his a great footballer. Once nerves are calm, he could be great for the Aussies.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Both have some things to work on but have the potential to be excellent full backs.
Midfielder
Guest
TPC Think you are right and with Smith on the left they will be strong and run all day.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
As a Glory fan i'm pretty much resigned to the fact it's only a matter of time before he moves on. Hopefully we can keep him for the entirety of next season and really push for some silverware, if anyone deserves to lift a trophy it's Josh Risdon he has absolutely busted a gut for the club and as Lazaridis states has made himself the top RB in the country. Holland could be a destination we've seen elite A-League players settle into that league with relative ease and i don't think it would be any different with Josh, his tenacious approach would suit a league like the Championship to a tea. As for the national side i think he did a great job against Jordan, sure his crossing was awful on the night but otherwise he was solid. Was heavily involved in our first goal and made a crucial tackle on the edge of the box at 0-0 and had the Jordanian skipped past him we were in trouble.