When self-proclaimed coaching genius Jose Mourinho’s gave 18 year-old Australian Cristian Volpato a Serie A debut in early December, a further reminder of just how easy it is to misjudge a footballer was made.
Volpato is a Sydney-born attacker who spent time with both Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers before heading abroad to chase his dreams. Much has been made of the Australian clubs who failed to acknowledge the talent that was so obviously right before their very eyes, yet such bumbled identification within the domestic game is common and ever more consistently being brought to our attention.
Now, an apparent struggle has emerged for the young man seemingly destined to play either for the Italian Under-19’s or the Socceroos; if Graham Arnold does what so many have called for and invites him into camp for the early 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.
The story of Volpato is a cautionary tale.
The key to producing the next wave of Socceroos and Matildas is to have shrewd and intuitive minds overseeing youth identification and development in Australia; something made rather difficult by the vast and unstructured academy system that exists currently and one that appears to be growing even more congested at a rapid rate.
Sadly, so many skilled and promising young footballers find their way into unproven, costly and questionable training environments, with the repercussions for so many of our best and brightest young talents trending more towards the negative than the positive.
Cristian Volpato appears to be a perfect case in point when it comes to unrecognised and unsupported Australian talent, yet the reasons for both Sydney FC and Western Sydney’s disinterest remain unclear.
Volpato’s natural talent with the ball at his feet and the presence he has on the pitch make his previous club’s decisions to jettison him from their structures quite baffling, yet both organisations cut him loose after having ample opportunity to see exactly what he had to offer.
What both had probably failed to acknowledge was the hunger, passion and determination within a player who has quickly surpassed the hundreds of others he played against and competed with, before getting a rare chance overseas with Roma.
While not an issue for Volpato, size continues to be one of the measuring sticks used by recruiters to justify or rule out the potential successes of a footballer trialling before them.
On Sunday afternoon, I watched another young Australian player who has been told even more directly than Volpato that a career in top flight football might well be beyond him. Central Coast Mariners attacker Josh Nisbet is five-foot-two or around 160 centimetres tall and like Volpato, has lived much of his football life attempting to prove that he is indeed worthy of a place.
After a stint with the Mariners academy, Nisbet broke into the top flight team in 2018 and despite drawing immediate attention thanks to his rather diminutive stature, the midfielder impressed from day one.
That level of impression has only grown over the past two seasons and with 42 A-League Men appearances now under his belt, his selection in Nick Montgomery’s first XI is almost a no-brainer.
With Oliver Bozanic pulling the strings in central midfield, Nisbet played a telling role in the Mariners’ 2-0 dismantling of Sydney FC on Sunday afternoon. He was decisive, dangerous and incisive in his runs forward, proficient with the ball and tireless in his pressing that, supported by those around him, had the Sky Blues completely and utterly off balance and bereft of ideas throughout the entire first half.
Alongside the five-foot-ten Cy Goddard, Nisbet impressed once again for the Mariners and must now have all those coaches, recruiters and scouts who had passed on him as a player over the years wondering whether they should perhaps re-think the criteria they use to assess players.
Joshua Nisbet of the Mariners (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Josh Nisbet may well never have played in the A-League Men’s. Like many before him, there was something lacking that the tick-a-box nature of football recruitment struggled to look past. Similarly, Cristian Volpato did not have exactly what Sydney FC and Western Sydney were after, with one of Australia’s best young talents now potentially lost thanks to very, very poor identification of talent.
It happens far too often in this country and the modern trend to see players in cookie-cutter shapes is doing nothing but hurting football development in both the Australian men’s and women’s games.
There is more than one way to skin a cat and both Cristian Volpato and Josh Nisbet’s paths to professional football prove that in spades. Goodness knows how many other players have slipped into oblivion after having been passed on by those holding the clipboards.
Let’s hope those with the careers of young footballers in their hands learn to see beyond the obvious and identify something far more sustainable. Such an approach could well produce the next great Australian international player, as well as a swathe of domestic players whose determination far outweighs their supposed physical limitations.
Meldrum Suzanne
Guest
Through my sons soccer career, I have grown very disappointed in the selection process. I have seen some truly ridiculous decisions based on nothing more than nepotism and massively inflated egos from coaches. My son scored 5 goals in the trials against some players who had not only played for Australia but didnt score a single goal(or even come close to scoring!!), he never had a chance to get selected. He has been privately trained by an ex-socceroo who is just astonished and disappointed by the process. These coaches are over looking players that can put australian soccer on the map. Like Cristian Volpato and others, my son has no choice but to head overseas and find a coach and a club that knows not just talent but the determination and drive to be the best player they can be. Its a true shame and I hope something changes before even more players hive up on their dreams
jbinnie
Guest
Roberto- In old country sizes Baresi's height is given as 5 foot 8 inches, hardly what one would say is tall. Just think of it for a mo. All these "6 foot coaches" would have rejected him from their team !!!!!!!!!! Cheers jb.
Vincenzo Hot Dog
Roar Rookie
I think the article raises a valid question - whether youth coaches overlook technical qualities for physical attributes?? We need a bit more evidence to come to this conclusion as players can easily slip under the radar and this is normal to occur, it just needs to be minimised. How do we address the overlooking of technical qualities if this is the case (or even if it is not) ? 1) Domestic Transfer System to drive development focus across all levels of the game - I think the sooner the FA implement this the better. This will also address my below points as it will educate clubs and give them incentives for developing players so they will naturally aim to be better 2) Proper pyramid via 2nd division, Pro/rel and links to Aleagues and NPLs and under - this is key to ensure more opportunities at a higher level to ensure development occurs for players, coaches, scouts, referees, administrators, facilities, fans etc. This along with the domestic transfer system are key to improving the below as it gives clubs incentives to invest in improving 3) Increase and alignment to football calendar - it is clear we are not playing anywhere near enough football and this is impacting development across all areas of the game. I suggest a minimum 9.5-10 month season (eg Jan/Feb - Oct/Nov). Significant work must be done for this overhaul. It is not easy to do, however this big change is necessary and must be stressed as our sport is global and to compete this is required. Players at all levels must be playing a minimum of 36 matches a calendar year as is seen in all top performing nations worldwide. Aleagues and all the levels below must play to this same calendar for alignment , continuity and ease of movement between leagues 4) Aleagues Youth Academies and at all clubs at all levels- these are relatively new and we are starting to see the fruits of these come to life. Investment must continue into these for improvement as well as more games for these players such as expanded Aleagues Youth including reserve players 5) I think we must ensure our coach education systems are rolled out to as many potential managers as possible and are affordable and encouraged 6) I also think talent identification/scouting network needs significant work in Aus. For example, at each level of the game there should be scouts from the division above looking for the next talent or someone who stands out and can make the jump up. As a player, it feels at times that no one is watching us and no real pathway. 7) Trials for players - there must be a significant increase in opportunities for players to have trials. If you look for eg on Football NSW website, there are hardly any opportunities for players to have an open trial at a club, especially higher ranked clubs. This helps build the network and clubs improving their talent base. Many clubs seem to just keep the same team from the previous year or max 1-2 positions available, meaning players who might not have a club are at a significant disadvantage when finding a new club with extremely limited options or are being overlooked because they hadnt played at a certain level the year before. We must increase opportunities for players to get noticed and show them with hard work they can be noticed
Punter
Roar Rookie
I think Baresi & Cannavaro could write a thesis on defending, they were 2 of the best ever & they were small.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Franco Baresi was probably a similar height to Fabio Cannavaro, a hero of 2006. Although it has to be said, in that tournament, Cannavaro played alongside either Nesta or Materazzi. Either way, what I'm understanding from AA is that it's the clubs that give the scouts their requirements, and when it comes to 2 or 3 positions, they clearly prefer players filling those roles to be at least 6ft.
jbinnie
Guest
AA - Surprised at you for getting in to this discussion. I can think of at least 2 "centre-backs" who were regarded as "world class" and yet did not win any "height" competitions. Franko Baresi, AC Milan is touted as "diminuative" but is recognised as one of the best footballers ever and he is closely followed in my mind by Daniel Passarelli, Argentine. At the other end of the scale is the giant ,Duncan Edwards, built like a tank but as light on his feet as a ballerina, he played for England's top team at 18. Then we have George Best, hardly a muscleman but nevertheless a world class footballer. I could go on but you'll get the message. Cheers jb.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Well the general sporting public know - thats why the stands are empty and only the most loyal watch on tv
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
They chose Folau because he was quit tall, very fast for his height and could catch a ball well. They didnt factor in Folau doesn't have a sporting brain, could not kick and his fitness was poor, he would come behind players a lot heavier than him in fitness runs. At Storm it was a set play for them to kick the ball to Folau on the wing, so Folau knew where the ball was going which way he had to run, it was all pre planned. Also very organised in defense. and had a good defensive record. Folau then went to another team Brisbane Broncos and then they conceeded 25-30% more points with him in the side. If the AFL recruitment had a brain they could have got a more famous player more suited to the game that could tick all the boxes, Billy Slater would have been a good recruitment decision. However Folau is over 190 and Slater is about 180 cm. Your talking about Karmichael Hunt. He did ok in his second season . He was poor when he went to rugby union as well. Once you get into that stuff its all downhill. Not only would have Billy Slater been a lot better than Hunt he wouldn't have declined, but again Hunt is over 5cm taller than Slater. Your wrong about Hunt only scoring one goal, what was interesting well Hunt scored about the same number of goals as behinds which is pretty standard. What really set Folau apart he scored 2 goals and 8 behinds, its the worst ratio in AFL history. There is no European traditions southern or otherwise, that is like what is happening in Australia. It happened in the 90's the clubs crowds and social clubs declined but the general population became wealthier and more willing to spend on their kids.
Kolya
Guest
We need guys who can boot goals, not just another outfielder with a fancy haircut from the continent. We need to produce strikers, I couldn't give a toss about midfielders or defenders, let alone goalies. WE NEED GOALS!
Kolya
Guest
The only thing that impresses me with Mason Cox is how nice a set shot he is. Besides that, I just don't see the value in going through all that trouble for a guy that gets up to half a dozen touches a hole match. WAFTAM! I think the AFL clubs are realising it is nonsense too now. As for Izzy Folau, I can barely remember him playing for the Giants but I do recall him getting a few touches here and there. I think I could have done just as well as him. He didn't know where to run, he didn't know what to do when he got it. It was a failed marketing stunt that some bright spark in the AFL thought up. That cocaine guy up at the Suns was also pretty lousy. Cannot even remember his name. He scored a single goal in his hole time up there, and people wonder why the Suns are not going well and have done nothing. Morons are managing them, thats why. That bloke looked out of shape, he was slow, couldn't keep up with the game. As for Australian soccer. It simply needs to be merit based, not how much your daddy chips in. Maybe this is a southern European 'tradition', but it sure doesn't work here.
Marcel
Guest
Harry Kane was a fat kid who was farmed out on 4 separate loan deals to the lower leagues before he blossomed at Spurs
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I'll forever know them as the McWanderers.
chris
Guest
Thats my point AA. I coach at NPL level and I see a lot of talent. One thing I rarely if ever do is over-coach the front third. Yes make them aware of space, time, movement etc but I never encroach on their flair.
Maximus Insight
Guest
The primary difference between the Australian football and Australian soccer (and Australian soccer and European soccer) talent identification is resources. Second to that is culture - both professional culture and broader playing culture. The AFL clubs are far more sophisticated professional set ups than all but the top end of European clubs. This is a function of having tight player salary controls which ensures far more resources are applied to football operations. There are also 800 players on AFL rosters and with perhaps 100 to 120 turning over each year. A big chunk of these end up in developing and coaching roles. The vast majority of head coaches in elite pathways - be they NAB League, WAFL and SANFL colts, northern academies or the private schools - are ex-AFL players or have worked in football departments. In terms of talent identification, all of these organisations, as well as AFL clubs, have considerable networks of talent scouts. Just looking at the Sydney Academy set up, its Head, head coach and development coach are all ex AFL with the latter two having 400 games between them. They employ (presumably part time) a further network of 90 coaches and conditioning staff. The fact the players still do most of their training and playing is part of the model. The main reason that they set up the northern academies was because, culturally, the don't have the profound pull of the AFL that dominates the culture in the other half of the country. Being able to train on the SCG, meet AFL players, where an AFL top helps at the margins to maintain top athletic talent that might otherwise play a different sport. International experience doesn't show that pro club academies are necessarily the best refining mechanisms for talent. It might be true in european soccer but you cannot actually separate out the advantages of resources and professional and general culture to conclude that. Certainly in other pro-sports, like American sports, that is not how things work at all. Having self-intertest drive talent identification and development is not always the best approach. I would have thought the Australian soccer experience has proven that. Most NPL programs are geared towards revenue raising. In terms of general culture, it is interesting that one of the highest paid women's soccer players in the world played Australian football until she was 12. Australian soccer appears psychologically not capable of learning a lesson from that.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Every great striker had to have had a bit of arrogance, confidence, and let's be honest, are usually a bit on the selfish side (as a general observation). But I guess, if you're 18, and just starting out, have achieved nothing, you're not doing yourself any favours if your head can't fit through the door and you're ignoring the coaching staff's instructions. If you had a chance to set up your team captain and doyen of the club with a simple tap in, but rather, went for the miracle goal a la Ned Zelic (and messed it up), your time as a professional player may just about be at an end.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Is that you with the shades on?
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i can tell you that a league clubs are not wanting centrebacks under 6ft (if theres one with truly outstanding attributes at 5'11" he might get a look in im at the south australian futsal championships here at the moment with my laptop, it spans all age groups and the majority of players so far are under 6ft, lets see what todays matches have to offer
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
its not that simple chris. a young player with 'flair' is difficult to mould into a robot, i see it a lot of with the young african australian boys (not just in adelaide, but throughout australia) coaches are trying to 'coach' out of young players flair/creativity - all they worry about is the structure, system and keeping its shape. alot of the more naturally gifted young players dont have the temperament of mentality to listen to a coach - especially when you're an attacking mid or striker and are being forced to track back 50 metres and defend
josh
Guest
McWanderers?
Waz
Roar Rookie
Ha Ha, indeed. The Bakries are a confusing mob, happy to bankroll a club that loses $2m-$6m every year but seemingly not interested in investing to grow the clubs asset or support base. It’s no wonder many cynical fans believe it’s some kind of tax dodging exercise lol. And of course we’ve had local owners before - both failed miserably and achieved even less than the Bakries so careful what we wish for. But for owners that want out (Jets, CCM, Glory, Roar?) the current circumstances are as good as it gets, or at least compared to recent times. So I’d expect some ownership movement in the coming months — Roar possibly but only on the basis the Bakries seem totally disinterested in the club and the prospect of a sale to another overseas group is most likely (Russian? Chinese? Mysterious Dutch pot-smoking conglomerate maybe??)