The 2014-15 FFA COE side, under the watchful eye of coach Tony Vidmar, produced many A-League alumni – Joe Caletti, James Delianov and Nicholas D’Agostino to name a few.
It is perhaps best known, however, for the diminutive attacking player with floppy hair and socks pulled down, who was like a child in a playground – Daniel Arzani.
Arzani is a much-maligned figure in Australian football circles and it’s hard to believe that the former prodigy will soon be 24 years old.
In a career so far that has had more stops than starts the mercurial attacking talent has sprung a surprise, by signing on to play in the Australia with the Macarthur Bulls for season 2022-23.
Arzani found himself a free agent after his four-year, £20,000 per week contract with English Premier League club Manchester City ended in June.
He was signed by one of the world’s best clubs after an explosive season with Melbourne City in 2017-18 where he was named in the A-League team of the season, as well as winning the young player of the year award.
In the four years since leaving Australia, Arzani never made his debut for the club that bought him and was loaned out to five different sides – amassing less than 30 games in a European journey littered with injuries and attitude problems.
Arzani’s first loan spell was with Celtic, where he was starting to make inroads with the reserves before suffering a dreaded ACL injury.
(Photo by Jeff Holmes/PA Images via Getty Images)
His next two loans were in Holland with Utrecht and Denmark with AGS, but long-standing soft tissue injuries ruined any progress.
His last loan move was to Belgium’s first division to play with Sommell, where he was able to string together a run of games before his body broke down again.
Arzani’s temperament also got the better of him, which resulted in multiple training ground bust-ups with teammates and coaching staff.
A return to Australia to reinvigorate his love with the game and rediscover form might be just what the doctor ordered to rejuvenate Daniel Arzani’s stalled football career.
Deep down he is still that rebellious boy who loves the Rondo training drill and will try and nutmeg players or dazzle with multiple step-overs – before effortlessly pirouetting out of danger
Trickery, creativity, imagination and technical skills that were all initially honed by years of playing futsal and street football.
However, it will take some time to acclimatise to Australia’s notoriously hard pitches, in comparison to Europe’s softer and slicker surfaces.
The 23-year-old has lost over two years of his career to injuries and the likelihood of picking up niggling soft tissue injuries will be very high in Australia.
However, he has already shown what he can produce for his new club – scoring a goal as well as two assists in the Bulls’ 6-3 demolition of the Magpies in a recent Australia Cup match.
Approaching his mid-20s, Arzani has earnt a lot of money and with his injury-prone body I don’t think anyone could begrudge the player if he wanted to retire.
Hanging up the boots is not an option for Arzani, who still believe he is capable of playing in Europe.
Being able to continually bounce back from injuries shows the player has a steely determination to succeed.
If Macarthur are able to keep Arzani fit, they would have a player capable of producing moments of magic – if they can’t, Arzani will likely be the latest in a lengthy list of former teenage tyros to fade into football obscurity.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
He wasn't short comparitively, no meat on his bones though. Would have assisted with resilience and possession
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
True, but the advice around him should have been better. Young Kuol over at CCM is a perfect case in point. "Break out season" at the mariners, followed by accolades in the All Stars game, decides to stay at Mariners to get game time (Parsons at the Roar should also have done the same, if fit, he would have started every game this year, not sure he will get off the bench at Sydney). As a pro footballer (especially at that age) minutes on the pitch have to be the priority over cash, and all his coaches, agents and family should have known that. If the big boys were interested in him as an 18 year old in his "break out" season in the A League, then they will still be interested 9 months later after he nailed down 26 starts in the local league and backed up his promise. If MC lost interest, there would have been plenty of other clubs across Europe that would have stepped in. I hope he does well, he is still young.
Hoolifan
Guest
He could do well back in the A-League which is a step or two slower than Europe and with less skill. The big money and glamour he was chasing is unfortunately, for now, out of his reach. Mooy came back and rebuilt so, he could come back, get his body right and who knows in a few years. Time is on his side.
Freddy Jones
Guest
As a general rule there is much to like about this youth development timeline. But unfortunately, with so few professional teams in the A league, for even some of the best young players to get anywhere close to the opportunities this timeline could provide would be rather miraculous at the moment. Coaches make decisions in their own interests surviving and keeping their job as a coach. If they recruit older very experienced players at much greater cost, there is pressure to play them at the expense of younger players to justify the coach's recruitment decision and the club's big investment. In desperation, younger players look overseas for opportunities 17-20 years because the Australian football system fails them. It is so disheartening seeing young players on A League rosters sitting in the grandstand with occasional stints on the bench and running around for years in the state NPL men's competitions in the A league academy senior sides. These are lost years and unfortunately some of our most talented players with imports ahead of them and no injury replacement opportunities tread water and sink back into NPL oblivion to finish their careers.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Daniel Arzani will be one of the players to watch in this year's new A leauge season. I just like the way this young man plays.Good luck Daniel Arzani for Mcarther.
Hopper
Roar Rookie
What is it with Daniel. What part of his attitude do coaches not like? Is it not chasing that pass he will never reach, not to challenge for the high ball against a taller player? Is it demanding the ball to feet? Is this attitude a product of his upbringing, not wanting for anything? I understand Daniel was a brilliant student, not having to work to get his grades. Maybe it is not about futsal and street football. Maybe his obvious gifted talents has him at this level, only for his embedded attitude to keep him there.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
AA Small favour.... do a little bit of research on Behavioural Science as a topic for discussion... I have sent in something that's ends with Behavioural Science to be explored should come up soon...
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i wouldnt say de silva is too small for his position, attacking mids generally dont tend to be 6 foot + lol definitely left a season too early IMO, needed to get more miles into his legs before jumping to europe. Also hasnt been lucky with his body -a lot of soft tissue problems and strange injuries (like that awful one he had with his elbow) plus he's been played out of position alot as well, to try and accommodate more attacking players in line ups
Midfielder
Roar Guru
AA You totally mis read my post... I am not saying they have to be build like statures... Whether of slight build or not core strength can be different and built on... as does the skill in balance when hit hard .... an outside example in Rugby League players especially the smaller ones are hit often in gang tackles but a number of players at once... most could not get up after such a tackle but years of understanding of how to be hit and react means they get up and run again... I am in no way saying its more important than technical skills... what I am saying is not unimportant either and many think it is unimportant... nor am I saying Football players need to build RL type bodies.... but that deep core strength and balance especially if small is critical in not spending weeks injured on the sidelines...
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
attacking midfielders are generally of slight build, theres not too many worldwide that are built as strong as granite lol i had earmarked in very early reports when he was at the FFA CEO, that bigger bodied players would/will specifically target him (and that happened) its how he responds to those tackles, by riding the challenge or getting up quickly etc - rather then moping about, arms in the air complaining to refs about the 'treatment' he receives as for g koul, i dont think hes being held back at all - its more so to do with the fact, that most boys with african heritage struggle to run out a full 90 minutes in that (15-18 year age group) by contrast you'll find the majority of caucasian players, in that same age group will run out a full match. the only way you get that endurance is 2-3 pre season of hard running - i've seen the running stats for adelaide in the last couple seasons and they're doing upwards of 500 miles in pre season (id assume similar for most a league clubs
Aiden
Guest
That’s the thing. All points being made about his ‘wasted talent’ are accurate from a sporting perspective, but he hasn’t really wasted it in the sense that he’s used it to get rich. So hard and no guarantees in life. Play in the A League last four years on a few hundred K, maybe up to half a million. Get injured, form drops. Career done at 27. Or … earn 1.8 million a year (more than he’d get in four years in the A League so 16 times as much in the same time period). Still retire busted at 27. And also with the chance that his talent would have taken him further but for the injuries. I know the smart option is to wait … but … very hard to knock back the guaranteed pay day. For anyone. In any profession.
Coastyboi
Guest
True. DDS had two misfires in Europe (Everton & Roma) Visa mix-ups, & might have been introduced to professional football too early. He tasted some success with Sydney FC, but he was on-loan, wanting to squirm away from CCM at the time. Certainly a player who deserves to spread his wings, but held back by confidence issues, maybe caused by his small size.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
I wish him every success.... my thoughts are somewhat different to others... While his technically ability has never been in question, nor the fight in his heart... what is an issue IMO and what to a large extent is both overlooked and often considered by many today as no longer important as technical skills rein over all... Physical toughness, strength and in developing this an understanding of balance when hit.... had a client who was one of Australians first physical fitness coaches in Australia and at the time was at the Penrith RL's club PC... later he moved on to be a state head fitness coach for a state body... He was across a number of sports and said the importance of building core strength and balance when hit was in his mind essential for a long career... From what I see in DA he had massive technical skills but was questionable on his physical needs.... interesting Koul at the Mariners is still being held back as the judgement by the head coach is he is still not strong enough... similar type of players in many ways...
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
another one that moved to europe too early. i wonder if arzani would trade places with de silva. although not a spectacular career, considering his prodigious talents - de silva has at least played a decent amount of matches
Jack Twohill
Roar Rookie
Great article. Arzani isn't lost yet. Aaron Mooy returned to Australia with WSW and Meblbourne City rebuilding him in his mid 20s. Mooy went on to play 3 quality seasons in the Premier League before moving to China as well as objectively being the Socceroo's most complete player. Whilst Mooys downfall was disappointing, Arzani could be on a similar trajectory. He still has a lot to offer. And even if he doesn't return to Europe or a bigger league in Asia, if he produces at international level it is good for the game in Oz. Let's not forget before blowing his knee out on debut for Celtic he blew everyone's minds. At the Olympics he was more than impressive enough. Arzani has years left in him if he can be managed right. He may never see a full 90 minutes of game time again, but he can and will produce more than the average footballer in short sharper 60 - 70 minute spells than most A-League footballers. Cheers.
Coastyboi
Guest
Sadly, DDS never achieved greatness. He was touted as the next big thing too, but underachieved, as his potential wasn’t fulfilled. Very hot & cold.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
there's not too many teenagers who would turn down the wages he was on at man city, even knowing he probably wouldn't play for them
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
The 2 issues with Arzani are his presence over the ball, and his erratic flair. The second is a double edged sword. Because of his flair opposition find it hard to read him, the issue is so do his teammates. To combat this he needs to be given specific directions. I don't think Dwight can offer him that. Technically gifted, he reminds me of DDS.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
the black and white bars are such a traditional minimalistic strip, never should they be broken by the front of shirt sponsor logo (it should blend into it) so so many sides with the jersey- Juventus, Botafogo, St Mirren, Notts County, Newcastle United, Adelaide City etc etc lol
Coastyboi
Guest
Agreed. Most Rebel Sport stores I’ve been to have oodles of unsold Bull’s stock. We’re talking dozens of jerseys, not discounted, & gathering dust. The overall design is uneasy on the eye.