2019 Asian Cup: Chris Ikonomidis credits stint in Italy for setting him on road to Socceroos success
It’s hard to fathom that in 2016 Chris Ikonomidis was locked inside a Serie A training ground, trapped by the sheer volatility of Italian football, but also learning lessons set to inform his Socceroos awakening.
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It’s hard to fathom that two and a half years ago Chris Ikonomidis was locked inside a Serie A training ground, trapped by the sheer volatility of Italian football, but also learning lessons set to inform his Socceroos awakening.
The Sutherland Sharks product was then 21 and living in a foreign country in pursuit of the European football dream, but he also experienced the steep demands and punishment that came with losing a game.
More than once with Lazio and loan Serie B side Salernitana, Ikonomidis was restricted by club hierarchy to the training ground for an entire week, forced to train, eat and sleep until the next game when they would earn their freedom with a win.
On one of those occasions his parents had flown to visit him, but had no choice but to wait until their son was released to actually see him.
Even then, the 23-year-old forward wouldn’t change a thing.
Because, as harsh and ultimately absurd such practices seemed, it was all part of a baptism of fire in a football-mad country that would equip the Perth Glory standout with both the technical skills and mental resilience to become one of the Socceroos’ Asian Cup keys.
“It had probably the biggest influence on my career, my time in Italy,” Ikonomidis said.
“I went there when I was 16 and only came back a couple of months ago.
“You could say all my youth development over there, everything I learned was the Italian style - whether it was technically, tactically or mentally.
“I feel like I grew a lot going over there and it was probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
“The main thing that it gave me, apart from my skills, was the mental strength.
“I moved over by myself and had to sacrifice a lot to follow my dream of becoming a professional.
“The stuff I went through in Italy is definitely helping me today. It keeps me more calm and a little bit more centralised in all my thoughts.”
Having shone on another loan stint with Western Sydney last season, the permanent move to Perth offered “a breath of fresh air” under Tony Popovic, who’s “kept me on my toes” and provided the stability he craved.
The result is six goals and two assists from nine A-League appearances this season, with no signs of slowing down.
It was enough to earn Ikonomidis a Socceroos recall for Australia’s trophy defence in the United Arab Emirates, and he’s already begun to repay Graham Arnold’s faith with a maiden international goal in Sunday’s 5-0 friendly thrashing of Oman.
“I’m not going to lie and pretend it’s not special,” he said.
“To know that you’ve scored for your country, it’s something you dream of as a kid.
“I think it’s a confidence thing, a maturity thing. With this system with this coach, he gives us players a lot of freedom - especially the attacking players - to express ourselves and do what we feel comes natural to us.
“That really suits my game well and it can get the best out of me.”
Originally published as 2019 Asian Cup: Chris Ikonomidis credits stint in Italy for setting him on road to Socceroos success
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