Mathew Ryan’s tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo.
The decision comes as something of a surprise, as Ryan has been the consistent No.1 at the AFAS Stadion this season, and has largely played well, collecting 14 clean sheets in 31 games across all competitions. As well as this, the Socceroos captain has become quite popular with the fans of the Dutch club.
Overall, the move has been a positive one that Ryan can look back at with pride, especially compared to his previous spells at Arsenal, Real Sociedad, and FC Copenhagen that yielded just 12 appearances over three years.
This is not the first time the Blacktown native has found success in the Benelux region, as his wonderful first European adventure with Belgian giants Club Brugge ultimately led to his signing with Valencia and solidifying the Australian No.1 position. Another spell at KRC Genk helped revive his career after a tough period in Spain.
The decision makes a little bit more sense when it is considered that AZ boasts arguably the biggest goalkeeping talent in the Netherlands in their system, with the 19-year-old Rome-Jayson Owusu Oduro impressing in Ryan’s absence earlier this year.
Along with the even younger Kiyani Zeggen, the club that has seen players such as Tijani Reijnders, Teun Koopmeiners, Wout Weghorst, and Milos Kerkez come through is well stocked in the goalkeeping position.
This is a crucial moment in his career, with the Australian goalkeeping talent pool deeper and more talented than perhaps any other position. Of course, Aston Villa’s Joe Gauci is the closest to Ryan in terms of Socceroos contention, but Middlesbrough’s Tom Glover is another potential immediate challenger.
Additionally, the European-based teenage trio of Steven Hall (Brighton), Anthony Pavlesic (FC Bayern), and Max Vartuli (Aalborg) are all particularly good prospects to keep an eye out for.
Mat Ryan in happier times at AZ Alkmaar. (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Should Ryan be craving a move home, I am sure he would be welcomed back with open arms by the Central Coast Mariners, whose No.1 Danny Vukovic is surely near retirement. It also would not be surprising to see clubs like Brisbane, Newcastle, and Western United take a punt at Ryan.
However, this AZ stint has surely proved that Ryan still has what it takes to play at a very high European level. His old club KRC Genk will be saying goodbye to their goalkeeper Maarten Vandervoort this summer, who will be leaving to RB Leipzig, and fellow Belgian clubs Anderlecht and KAA Gent have both had goalkeeper issues this year and could be looking to upgrade.
Another option could be the MLS, where an array of clubs would be happy to bring in an experienced goalkeeper with his profile.
The most important thing is that he chooses a club where he will start, because we will soon be entering an era where the goalkeeping talent in Australia will be too big to ignore.
And if Ryan is sitting on the bench, it will be hard for Graham Arnold to rationalise starting him over Gauci, Glover, and whatever other goalkeeping talents come through in the next few years.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Ryan is in his prime and still miles ahead of Gauci & Glover. Unless he takes the money in the gulf I expect he will find a club in Belgium/Netherlands/Germany region. He might get another gig at a top club as backup. I wouldn't see this as a problem given the next World Cup is over 2 years away. 24-25 spent on the bench in the Bundasliga followed by playing regularly in Belgium in 25-26 might be ideal.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Important to remember three things about Glover though. 1. He performed well enough in his last A-League season to warrant a move to Middlesbrough, more than can be said of most A-League goalkeepers. 2. He was called into the last Socceroo camp, showing Arnold believes in him. 3. He has more big club pedigree than anyone apart from Pavlesic and Ryan, given his time at Spurs, who obviously saw something in him.
M
Roar Rookie
Glover is a potential contender more by virtue of his age and club than anything else. He is not particularly close to Ryan in terms of what he has shown thus far, but all it would take is good form in the Championship to present himself as a contender. Also was called up to the last socceroo squad, showing Arnold sees something in him as well. And the fact Spurs thought he was good enough to sign gives him more big club pedigree than anyone outside of Ryan and Pavlesic.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I must be a poor judge too, because Tom Glover was 5th on my list of A-League keepers I had the least confidence in. 4th was Jack Duncan, 3rd Tando Velaphi, 2nd daylight, 1st Ben Kennedy.
Grem
Roar Rookie
121 or so games in the Premier League and a 3 year stay at Brighton indicates he is extremely talented. Yes, he has made the occasional mistake, but a football coming at you at up to 200 km an hour and curling could cause some issues, I would think. He will find another spot in Europe, or Japan or take money in Saudi Arabia (I hope not), but he’s got a few more years in him yet. I like Gauchi, his height is great as well and I hope he really improves at Aston Villa and pushes Ryan hard. Glover? Still not convinced. Hopefully there’s a new young player on the horizon.
Redcap
Roar Guru
A very informative article - thanks Ian. I assume he wouldn't have too much trouble finding a decent gig in Europe. Interesting situation to keep an eye on.
chris1
Roar Rookie
I think keepers fall outside of those policies. Even if they exist
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Why would Brisbane 'take a punt' at Ryan when they have Frecke, who's better than Ryan with his feet and improving with every game.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Club has 4 players over 30 and non older than 32. They sold 70m euro player and bought 27m euro. The oldest player they sold was 26.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Ryan still seems to be starting in every match though. As he did in this mornings 2-0 win. Maybe this story of him being moved on is a little premature? Ryan is still quite young for a keeper.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
These are European clubs who priotitise making money from youth, A-league clubs prioritise old players even well beyond their use by dates. To make it even worse they pay top dollar on top of that. Older players in Europe have to accept whatever crumbs they are given and go to lower divisions. Adelaide United they brought in Tunncliffe who was on a clear vertical downward descent on better money than all their youth. Now he is the guy who loses them matches, and they are better off with Alagich who cant pass but is good at defense and hacking players than him.Ibusuki, Lopez , Isaias,Halloran are the old well paid players at this club, while they are not as bad defensively as Tunncliffe youth can do as good a job or better on a fraction of the money, Adelaide went a lot better with Lopez at center back and a younger Van Der Sagg at fullback who turned the game. The only reason Adelaide United make money on youth they are the only top level club in Adelaide in a cheap state to live in. Matt Ryan he is not even old for an outfield player let alone old for a goal keeper and looks whats happened. I also think he is like cheap type of seafood, if your a top sweeper keeper you can get top dollar at the big clubs, but below the top teams they are not looking for sweeper keepers they are looking for more shot stoppers. I would say there is a lot more chance he goes to City than Mariners who will pay decent money.