Who is the Socceroos' best player?

By Nicholas De Pasquale / Roar Pro

Not since the early 2000s has this question been hard to answer, now that the days of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka setting the Premier League alight with goals are gone, and that Tim Cahill is in the twilight of what has been an illustrious career.

One question plagues the mind of football fans across Australia; who is currently the nation’s top footballer?

There are many answers to this question, however I feel that they all play similar positions and could all potentially be the star of the team in the future. I’m going to commence this debate by that not since the 2006 World Cup have the Socceroos had a team full of players that are naturally gifted and technically inclined.

It is now time that we seek a new saviour, so I’ll look elsewhere from Tim Cahill. Before listing the three candidates, I note that the form and work of Mat Ryan deserves recognition. It is great to see a goalkeeper playing at such a high level against the likes of Messi and Ronaldo on a weekly basis.

Let’s be honest, though, the sometimes sad reality of modern day football is that the ‘best player’ is usually the one that either scores the goals, or in the case of the current Socceroos, creates them.

My three names are Tom Rogic, Aaron Mooy and Massimo Luongo.

All three are truly a joy to watch and thankfully for all fans of the Socceroos none have reached the pinnacle of their careers. They are all still under the age of 26.

In the global football community Australia and the Socceroos have always been labelled as overly physical, and sometimes even unskilled, but that is not the case with these three playmakers.

Each one is blessed with the key attributes that make a successfuly midfielder in modern football. A great first touch, sublime vision and technique and the ability to score goals when needed. The Socceroos will need midfielders that can score in the future, because it is evident that once Tim Cahill calls time on his international career the Socceroos will be left without a consistent goal scorer; a real concern.

Whoever replaces Cahill will just have to worry about putting the ball in the net because the service he will receive from these three players will be nothing short of world class.

Massimo Luongo burst onto the scene in the 2015 Asian Cup and was named as the player of the tournament, his high work rate in both halves of the pitch was a joy to watch, and his natural instinct to get forward was a major reason why the Socceroos went on to win that tournament.

Tom Rogic has been touted as the next big thing in Australian football for years now, and it is great to see that after some lengthy injuries and dips in form that he is finally playing consistent football for both Celtic and the Socceroos.

Aaron Mooy was undoubtedly the A-League’s best player last year, and while didn’t receive the award that he deserved he did get was a transfer to Manchester City. It was obvious that he was going to get loaned out, and a club like Huddersfield is a great place for him to take the next step in his development. Just like Luongo and Rogic he must move on soon.

Although Celtic and Queens Park Rangers are top clubs they simply cannot take our players to the heights they want to be at. Rogic has attracted interest from Arsenal and it would be great to see all three of them end up at clubs of that calibre in the future, just like other Socceroos have done in years gone.

Do these three have the same talent levels and potential as Kewell, Viduka and Bresciano? It is one thing to have talent, but it is another thing to nurture it and mould it into something world class. It is undoubtedly the biggest task that faces these three Aussie playmakers.

The Crowd Says:

2016-08-19T10:20:57+00:00

The Phantom Commissioner

Roar Rookie


I think it's a 3 horse race between Mooy, Rogic and Kruse. I think Kruse when he's up and firing is vitally important to us, opponents recognize this also there's a reason why he's hacked to death most games.

2016-08-19T00:26:15+00:00

Paul Nicholls

Roar Guru


A tricky question Nicholas - we don't have one obvious 'best' player - which is not necessarily a bad thing. Who would be the first player picked? Jedinak probably. Then Mooy. I really think Matty Ryan is on the slide - is he even playing first team football any more? I would say we must move on and get Langeraak back in the team.

2016-08-17T14:21:00+00:00

Bob Brown

Roar Guru


Timmy's the greatest current player. Ryan has disappointed me lately and is not making the miracle saves he used to anymore. Rogic and Mooy are not consistent and can wilt under pressure. Looking for big solid games from Jedi, Milligan and Spira. I think we have the team to qualify again, but will need our equal share of luck and the balance of refereeing decisions to be sure. The Asian qualifying groups this time are more evenly balanced than ever.

2016-08-17T13:43:37+00:00

Bfc

Guest


Rogic or Ryan...but Mooy coming on nicely at Huddersfield.

2016-08-17T13:27:57+00:00

Midfielder

Guest


For me its Timmy, Ryan, Mooy, Sainsbury, as the standouts My next group would be Rogic, Jedi, Milligan Those seven would be in my starting line up

2016-08-17T04:23:07+00:00

Fadida

Guest


I don't think Luongo deserves a starting spot, let alone be in the top 3. Mooy, Rogic, Sainsbury, Ryan then Jedinak/Milligan. Luongo has plateaued recently

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