Is Australia still producing good footballers?

If you're an Australian football fan cast your mind back to the end of 2002. Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka were our two superstars but the Socceroos were struggling. They had just been beaten by the football nobodies of New Zealand and Australian football was in a bit of trouble, not only financially but also, it seemed, lacking of new talent. We seemed to have a lack of naturally talented players like Frank Farina, Ned Zelic, Paul Okon, Mark Bosnich and Aurelio Vidmar showcasing their skills at big European clubs. Does that sound familiar? Take a look at this:

There was Josip Skoko at little known Genk in Belgium
Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano were at provincial club Empoli in Italy's second division
Scott Chipperfield was playing in the unfashionable Swiss league
Tony Popovic was at lowly Crystal Palace in England's first division
Jason Culina was at modest Twente in Holland after being rejected by Ajax
Archie Thompson was struggling to adapt to life in Belgium
Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill were promising but playing for battling club Millwall in the Championship
Josh Kennedy was a trying to break through in second tier German football for Dynamo Dresden; and A little skinny Aussie kid called Luke Wilkshere was still an apprentice and cleaning boots at little Bristol City in the Championship.
This, believe it or not,  and with no disrespect meant, was our 'golden generation'.

Sure there were others like Aloisi, Emerton, Moore and Schwarzer doing well at other clubs in Europe but there was no doubt the Socceroos needed a shake up. Come 2005, the then Socceroos coach Frank Farina was hesitant to make a change to the team, preferring the tried and trusted players and formation over the various promising youngsters in Europe. Once again, sound familiar? 

Now fast forward to 2006 and the players mentioned above have become household names and heroes for the whole Australian football fraternity. They did what many considered impossible: qualified for the World Cup, knocked out traditional powerhouses Uruguay and Croatia and stretched the mighty Brazil and Italy all the way. In doing so they showed football intelligence and technique that many thought was beyond them. So what happened?

Firstly they had a coach that was prepared to give them a chance! When Guus Hiddink came into the Socceroos fold he immediately recognised the talents of Grella, Bresciano, Chipperfield and Culina etc and they became preferred first teamers. Superstar players they were not but smart players with technique and intelligence they certainly were. In addition to this the players evolved into battle hardened professionals in the fields of Europe over the previous two to three years for their various clubs.

Moving forward to the present time there are many in Australian football that believe we are not producing good players anymore and that the youngsters do not deserve their chance. Like the past Socceroos mentioned above however this generation of future Socceroos is learning, adapting, evolving and doing the hard yards in Europe. Like the generation before them, they cannot walk into a top European club and demand a first team spot. Only Harry Kewell could do that, and that type of player doesn't come around that often. It takes time, a few years of hard work and disappointments before finally, they are given their chance at a small club to make their name and a lucrative contract at a top club.

But in comparison to the previous generation are these youngsters as talented as their predecessors? The answer is yes, because based on their individual qualities and where they are at their current stages of their career it makes for some interesting reading. For example to name but a few:

- Nikita Rukavytsya, one of the fastest players this country has produced is playing in front of 60,000+ in Berlin for his club Hertha, and up to this season was a regular Bundesliga player
- Chris Herd combines tenacity with adaptability and is first choice in the Premier League for Aston Villa against the best in the world.
- Robbie Kruse is has dribbling qualities around the penalty box combined with finishing skills and is now starting for his German club in the Bundesliga no less.
- Matthew Leckie is the first Australian player I have seen combine power, speed and dribbling ability along with a goalscorers instinct and is impressing pundits on loan at Bundesliga 2.
- Mitch Langerak at Borussia Dortmund has all the qualities necessary to be a top goalkeeper for many years to come, from agility and reflexes to a commanding presence and is vying to be No.1 at arguably one of Europes top 10 clubs.
- Mustafa Amini, Langerak's club colleague has impressed enough with his playmaking abilities to make them offer him a first team contract.
- Adam Sarota is a midfielder with fine touch, crisp passing and a dominant presence in the middle fo the pitch and is now a regular starter in the Dutch first division for Utrecht
- Tommy Oar, Sarota's club colleague is also trying to break through as a starter and has been compared to Harry Kewell for his dribbling style. Furthermore he has impressed greatly at all the youth tournaments he has played in.
- James Troisi, recently bought by Juventus (!) is a left winger that although doesn't set the world alight with dribbling ability is one that provides stability and a threat on the flank.
- Rhys Williams is a tall versatile, fine tackling defender with composure on the ball and a mainstay for Middlesborough, and will very soon be an EPL player with so many suitors after him  
- Ryan McGowan is an adaptable defender, good header of the ball and first choice player at Hearts in the Scottish first division
- James Holland is a midfielder with fine technique and passing ability, currently a regular first teamer for his Austrian club Austria Wien
- Jason Davidson, son of Australia's greatest ever left back and also a left back, showed enough on his Socceroos debut to convince he has the goods. 
- Luke DeVere has been as solid as a rock in the Korean league and not only combines leadership with fine tackling but also with fine distribution.  
- Last but not least there is Tom Rogic, not in Europe yet but a player good enough to beat many hopefuls from around the world to win Nike's young talent award. His composure, touch, acceleration and ability to drift past players is reminiscent of Ned Zelic, but perhaps in a more advance position.

So in comparison to the previous golden generation when they were at similar stages of their career can we really state that Australia is no longer producing good players? I think that would be very harsh on the current generation when taking into account the reality of their predecessors humble beginnings in European football. To take the next step it it requires a coach to nurture and harness the talents into a fine team, and this is Holger Osieck's job. It also requires the good old battling underdog Aussie attitude to rise to the top and I can assure you these players are no different, they are of the same stock as the previous generation and they are determined to make it. And this season might just be their breakthrough year.

The question is when to make the change and give them regular game time for the Socceroos? In my mind as soon as these players command regular time at their European clubs they must be granted a starting spot ahead of the older stars. This in my mind does not represent a risk of failing to qualify for the World Cup as I have no doubt that these youngsters will perform better than the old guard.  Does a coach play a 30 something player who is clearly past his best in the leagues of the Middle East/Asia or a hungry, faster and promising youngster playing regularly in a top European club? It seems a no brainer. Guus did the latter and look what he achieved.. 

THE TOP 10 GREATEST PLAYERS EVER!

Naming your personal greatest players of all time is a sure way to start a football conversation between friends and there are always differing opinions. For the selection below I have adopted several criteria before deciding on the order.  The criteria that I have judged these players on includes their success and achievements, their style of play and their longetivity or impact on the game. The most important factor apart from their style of play is list of achievements. In my mind you cannot be labelled a great without success at the highest level (in World Cup/European Championships or Champions League football). Only players that have retired from football have been nominated, with the likes of Messi and Ronaldinho left out as they are still playing. Hence the following selection is my pick of the greatest players of all time.

1. PELE World Cup Winner 1958, 1962, 1970, 2 World Club Cups, scorer of 1200 goals, Voted athlete of the century by L'Equipe.

Pele was the most complete offensive player to ever play the game and could score in a variety of ways: right foot, left foot, headers, combination play or mesmerizing dribbling. To this day there has not been a striker with his imagination, speed of thought and balance to be able to match the master. Pele's ability to use both feet equally well, a trait that is uncommon in modern football, meant that he could open a multitude of options on a football pitch and made him extremely difficult to mark. His dribbling skills resulted in some of the most beautiful goals the world has ever seen with one of his finest being that fabulous goal against Sweden in the 1958 World Cup Final as a 17 year old, where he controlled the ball with his chest past his marker and lobbed another defender before blasting it into the net.  His longetivity in the game showed not only his supreme athletic ability and skills, but also crushes any arguments that he would not be as effective in the modern game. Quite simply a man of his skill, athleticism and football brain could play anywhere, anytime as he was always a step ahead of the rest. Most detractors of his ability will point out that there was more space to operate in back in the 1960's and 70's however he seemed to thrive in lesser space, with his quick reflexes and ability to stay one step ahead of his marker coming to the fore. And for all those that claim he would not be as effective a goalscorer in European football it is a fact that every time he faced European competition his effectiveness did not wane, like when he faced European Champions Benfica in the World Club Cup and destroyed them in a breathtaking display. Not even the masters of defensive catenaccio, the Italians, could stop him from scoring in the 1970 World Cup Final where his beautiful header remains one of the iconic moments of the World Cup. When he finally left his boyhood club Santos he went to the United States to help launch the North American Soccer League, culminating in winning the championship in front of a sold out Giants stadium. Scenes that sadly the USA has not experienced since but there is no doubt that Pele left a lasting legacy, not just in America but in the entire football world.

2. DIEGO MARADONA  World Cup Winner 1986, World Cup Runner Up 1990, 1 UEFA Cup,  Serie A champion

The only player that can say he single-handedly won the World Cup. Maradona's Argentine teammates, although decent football players, were not exactly the kind of players to win a World Cup. Maradona performed miracles in 1986 to take his country to World Cup victory. Two goals aginst England in the quarters, two goals against Belgium in the semi final, and an inspirational display in the final meant that Maradona entered football immortality. Maradona was a master dribbler and had a left foot that controlled the ball like no other in the history of the game. His touch on the ball was incredible and the ball looked like it was stuck to his boot. Diego's first touch almost always set him up in an attacking manner, before he set off on one of his mazy runs. His mazy and beautifully balanced solo goal against England in the 1986 World Cup was voted the greatest goal of the century. Maradona also showed many moments of genius throughout his club career for Barcelona and Napoli too. Added to his incredible skills was the heart of a leader, a player that could inspire a whole team to success with his fearless and inspirational play, as proven not only with Argentina in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups but also for Napoli in the Italian Championship. The sad thing with Diego was that his struggle for full fitness due to constant hacking by merciless defenders and his inappropriate personal life meant the world could not enjoy watching him in his prime for a few more years after his peak in 1986. But for all those that did see him in his prime he remains the purest footballer they ever saw, the player whose moves everyone wants to emulate either in the professional world or the amateur football side they play for.

3. JOHANN CRUYFF  World Cup runner up 1974, Champions League Winner 1971, 1972, 1973, Dutch/Spanish League champion

The captain and maestro of the fabulous Dutch side of 1974 that played what became known as Total Football and which remains the essence of the game today - players that can interchange positions with intelligence, skill to be able to both defend and attack and pressing high up the park. His leadership skills were second to none and was probably the smartest player to ever play the game, as his coaching career later showed. There was nothing on a football pitch that Cruyff could not do. He was a striker, a creator and a midfield organiser all in one. His blistering speed made him a menace throughout the pitch but in particular when he drifted to the wings, and his finishing skills meant that he could score in a number of ways. Whether it was spraying passes from the midfield, dribbling from anywhere on the pitch or scoring chances that came his way Cruyff looked comfortable doing it all. The biggest shame for Cruyff is that the he didn't participate in more World Cups, with Germany 74 being the only time he graced the world's greatest competition. A threat to his life meant that he chose not to attend the 78 World Cup in Argentina, and one can only wonder whether he could have balanced the final in Holland's favour against Argentina. His displays for Ajax and Barcelona will forever be remembered however and he is affectionately known as the father of the playing style played by both of those clubs. Watch Ajax or Barcelona today and you will see Cruyff's legacy: pressing, quick ball circulation, attacking with wingers, defenders comfortable in possession and attackers willing to defend being the hallmark of the playing philosophy. 

 

4. ZINEDINE ZIDANE  World Cup winner 1998, World Cup runner up 2006, European Cup 2000, Champions League Winner 2002

Watching Zizou play was like watching a puppet master in action on a football field. He was a midfielder that could control a tempo of a team and combine it with incredible skills and tricks to evade his marker and score or create chances. Not only did he have the attacking skills of a classic number 10, he could also drop deeper and lift his team by picking up the ball in midfield and move the team forward with fantastic combination play. His list of achievements sums up his talent, at his peak he was unstoppable and was incredibly inspirational for both club and country. Zidane made his name with Juventus in the Italian championship and twice was a losing Champions League finalist with them. His days at Real Madrid however coincided with the club's 'galactico' era and resulted in some of the finest football the world has ever seen, albeit for a relatively short time as far as winning eras go. In 2002 he scored one of the finest goals ever seen in Champions League finals history to help Madrid take the crown. He was also the man that finally laid to rest France's past ghosts of previous failed World Cup campaigns, when in 1998 he inspired the team to World Cup immortality with his two finely taken headers against Brazil. His importance to the team was made obvious in 2002 when his absence from the first two matches resulted in France getting knocked out in the first round. Zidane would most likely have made amends in 2006 when once again inspiring France to the World Cup final only to ruin it all with his sending off in extra time due to his crazy headbutt on Materazzi of Italy. Hopefully he will not be remembered for that moment of madness but for his artistic and effective play that helped him achieve everything the game has to offer.

5. MICHEL PLATINI   European Cup Winner 1984, Champions League 1985,  Italian League champion 

Platini's greatest weapon was his vision and passing ability. People currently talk of Xavi's strength in this area however Platini hardly ever played the square or easy pass backwards, his passing was usually effective, stylish and penetrating. The master of through balls and accurate passes, curved either with the outside or inside of the foot, he was also a constant scoring threat from his attacking midfield position. Not only did he have a great shot from outside the box but also used his vision and football brain to time his run to the penalty box. He was either organising the team's attacking moves or scoring in all sorts of ways and it was therefore always difficult to contain him. Platini was also a master of the free kick and a great deal of his goals came from dead ball situations and created many assists for his teammates. He played the game with an elegance and ease that all champions of sport seem to possess. His 9 goals in the European Championships of 84 is unsurpassed, and like Maradona just about won the World Cup practically on his own, Platini can claim to have won the 1984 European Championships almost single handedly. At Juventus he became a legend and its sad that his talents were not quite enough to enable him to win the World Cup. Two semi-final appearances in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups however are a testament to his talents and that of the fine French team he was surrounded by. He was also a fine leader and communicator on the pitch and now uses those skills as president of UEFA. 

6. FRANZ BECKENBAUER   World Cup Winner 1974, World Cup runner up 1966, European Cup Winner 1972,  Champions League winner 1974,1975,1976 

The original and best sweeper of all time. His calmness under pressure, reading of the game, defensive skills and surging runs forward made him the perfect prototype of what a sweeper should be. A champion that could play the game in the right way, always fair in defence and a creative force when his team had the ball. Beckenbauer first showcased his skills to the world in midfield during the 1966 and 1970 World Cups, where his surging runs forward and fine distribution of the ball where a sight to behold. But it was in the 1970's where he found his niche, playing as a sweeper for his club Bayern Munich and the West German national team, resulting in an extremely successful period for German football. 3 consecutive Champions League wins with Bayern Munich and a World Cup on home soil, and all within a 3 year period reflect 'The Kaiser's' impact on the game. Also helped the game to grow in the United States when starring for the New York Cosmos alongside Pele. Beckenbauer went on to show his leadership skills when becoming the first man to captain and coach a team to World Cup glory. Still remains a fine ambassador for football all around the world.

7. RONALDO  World Cup Winner 1994, 2002, World Cup Runner 1998, 1 UEFA Cup, Spanish League Champion, all- time top scorer of World Cup goals 

The word used to describe Ronaldo by the world's media was 'phenomenon' and that description certainly did justice to his explosive kind of play. His incredible speed and athleticism combined with his close ball control skills whilst running at full speed meant that when Ronaldo had the ball he was danger with a capital D to all defenders facing him!  I have never seen any other striker been able to simply sprint through a four-man defence before calmly slotting the ball away past a keeper. His form for Barcelona in the season leading up to the 1998 World Cup was truly phenomenal. Goals were scored in a variety of ways and made him the most wanted man in world football. People still wonder whether Brazil would have won the 1998 World Cup had Ronaldo not have suffered his infamous seizure prior to the final against France, as he was in sensational form during the tournament. Ronaldo went on to star in the Italian league for Inter Milan before a succession of knee injuries forced him to remodel his game, but he still remained a goalscoring machine. In 2002 he made amends for the disappointment of 1998 when he finished up as that years World Cup top goalscorer and champion. A transfer to Real Madrid made a significant contribution to the club's 'galactico' era. Ronaldo returned to World Cup action in 2006 and further goals meant he became the competitions all time top goalscorer.  His incredible goalscoring rate all through his career showed what a true champion he was, but the world will always wonder just how good he might have been had he not had the knee injuries that beleaguered him during his career.

8. FERENC PUSKAS World Cup Runner Up 1954, Champions League Winner 1959, 1960, 1966,

 

One of the most one-footed players in the game but what a foot. His left boot could score from any angle and distance and his goalscoring prowess was second to none. Puskas will always be remembered for that drag-back goal at Wembley for Hungary where he made the English defence look second rate in a 6-3 mauling at Wembley, and was one of the biggest surprises in the history of world football. Puskas goals assisted Real Madrid to amass an unsurpassed 5 consecutive Champions Leagues during the late 1950s. Puskas could not only score with his famous left boot however he actually moved quite well for a man of his stature. He used his brain to get into the right positions, was a clever dribbler and when the opportunity arose he would unleash his trademark left boot to put the ball in the net.  He also had the presence of mind to be able to play in others around him in goalscoring positions. Had he not have been injured during the 1954 World Cup he most likely would have had a World Cup to his name also. He did however play in the final aginst West Germany and scored a goal but it was not enough to stop the Germans creating one of the greatest surprises in World Cup history. His club career however was full of incredible achievements and a lot less disappointments and without him Real Madrid quite simply would not be the club it is today.

9. ALFREDO DI STEFANO    Champions League Winner 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, Spanish League Champion.

Like Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano's  greatness helped make Real Madrid the club they are today. A total footballer before Johann Cruyff’s Dutch team came along, he was the catalyst and inspiration of the great Madrid team that won an unsurpassed 5 consecutive Champions Leagues. All attacking moves went through him and his simple yet effective and elegant style was one to behold. He could pick up the ball from deep and build up attacking plays but he was also deadly in front of goal. He never loooked rushed, when opponents tried to get him off the ball he would use his skills and tricks, when the opposition backed away he would weave intricate combinations with teammates that would result in making Real Madrid the greatest team of that era. Added to the skills and passing was his ability to play with both right and left feet, which like Pele would open up a wealth of options on the pitch. The only man on the list not to play at the World Cup (he was injured in 1962 which meant he could not play for Spain) his club achievements and style makes him a must for any top 10 list.

10. MARCO VAN BASTEN   European Cup Winner 1988, Champions League Winner 1989, 1990, UEFA Cup 1987

Like Beckenbauer was the perfect prototype of a sweeper, Van Basten was the perfect prototype of what a centre-forward should be. A disciple of Johann Cruyff, he could score with his right foot, left foot, headers, brought others into the game and had a touch that enabled him to get away from defenders, or shield the ball from the heavy marking he always received. When Van Basten played for AC Milan it resulted in the finest era of the club, winning 2 consecutive Champions Leagues and forming a formidable partnership with Ruud Gullit at club and international level. Although Van Basten's form in the 1990 World Cup was not great he will always be remembered for his fine display at the 1988 European Championships, where he finished as top scorer by scoring a hat-trick against England in the group stage and the winner against Germany in the semi final. His incredible volley goal in the final against the Soviet Union (pictured) is probably the most stunning goal of all time. Although many think it was a fluke, his fine technique did not put such goals out his capability. Van Basten didn't score in the 1992 European Championships but he showed his class once again on many occasions during the tournament with the Dutch reaching the semis, before being knocked ot by Denmark in one of the greatest Euro surprises. His performance against the Germans in the group stage was one to savour. He was deprived of further international action by a cruel ankle injury sustained by many years of close man to man marking, which brought his career to a premature end before the age of 30. Van Basten's smooth and technical style was so impressive that it has led to many strikers since being compared to him.