- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
Joe Marston, the first ever Australian to play in an FA Cup final back in 1954 and Lucas Neil, the most capped Socceroo outfield player who was once supposedly courted by Barcelona, are two of the many great Australian defenders we have produced.
However, Harry Souttar, a player who has never stepped foot in Australia, has all the qualities to become our greatest defender.
According to the reputable German website Transfermarkt, Harry’s market value has increased from €2 million (A$3.14 million) from October 15, 2020 to €4 million (A$6.29 million) as of March 10.
Harry has the second highest market value of all Asian defenders under 23. Of his age, Harry has the 25th highest market value for any centre-back in the world.
Souttar, whose brother John has represented Scotland, stands at two metres tall and has all the physical abilities to be a great defender, but it has been his superb passing range and grace on the ball which has impressed Stoke City supporters this year in the Championship.
Harry burst into the Stoke City line-up this year after many years on loan, most recently in League One.
His game was taken up a level last year when he played a full year with Fleetwood Town under Joey Barton, whose demanding tutelage improved Harry’s game.
That year at Fleetwood Town, which also saw Harry debut for the Socceroos and help the Olyroos qualify for the Olympics, has made him a more complete player and has justified his no doubt difficult decision to choose to play for Australia over Scotland, the land of his birth and upbringing.
It is worth remembering that Harry is only eligible to play for Australia through his Australian mother.
Given Harry is now a first team regular in the Championship, compared to the rest of the squad, aside for Mat Ryan and Ajdin Hrustic, he is playing at a high level and is soon to be a Premier League player if transfer rumours linking him to West Ham and other clubs are to be believed.
Given Harry is only 22 and could potentially be leading the Socceroos’ defence for at least the next decade, there is no doubt he could go down as our greatest defender of all time.
As the case of Daniel Arzani shows, however, Socceroos fans should not get ahead of themselves.
Harry has an enormous next few months with the Olympics and World Cup qualifiers but given his mentality, my money is on him being remembered as one of our greatest. Pity we did not produce him.
But that’s for another time and discussion.
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.