Socceroos stars have chance to further club careers with big Asian Cup performances

They’re in the shop window, and assistant Socceroos coach Rene Muelensteen predicts a new generation of stars could earn big club moves off the back of strong Asian Cup campaigns.

Socceroos wide man Chris Ikonomidis has made a strong impression at the Asian Cup. Picture: Getty Images

• Leckie ‘touch and go’ for Round of 16
• Mabil has his mind on more than football

They’re in the shop window, and assistant Socceroos coach Rene Muelensteen predicts a new generation of stars could earn big club moves off the back of strong Asian Cup campaigns.

Young talent has stepped up in the absence of retired veterans and injured mainstays, with Awer Mabil, Chris Ikonomidis and Rhyan Grant in particular making the most of their unexpected first-team promotions.

Ikonomidis has been immense in a wide attacking role, where he’s had a goal and four assists in two starts against Palestine and Syria.

Muelensteen is taken with the 23-year-old’s technical pedigree and mental approach, having developed as a teenager in Italy at Lazio before signing a three-year deal with Perth Glory this season.

Socceroos wide man Chris Ikonomidis has made a strong impression at the Asian Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Ikonomidis himself revealed he’s been in regular contact with Glory coach Tony Popovic, who’s been offering words of encouragement and couldn’t wait for him to return to the A-League.

However it seems only a matter of time before the Glory cashes in on a lucrative transfer.

“He can go as far as he wants because he’s got the potential and personality, and the intelligence for it,” Muelensteen said.

“He’s an exciting player to watch, he makes something happen. He’s got an eye for a pass, he can beat a man. He’s actually not the finished article.

“Sometimes for those players when they get to a higher level, for some it becomes more difficult, for others it becomes easier because players are at the same level as them. Better players bring the best out of the better players.

Awer Mabil celebrates his stunning strike against Syria. Picture: AP

“For Chris, I think he would suit very well in the Spanish league in a good team. He’s such a level-headed kid who grabs every opportunity. His training attitude is fantastic.”

At 27, Grant is older and spent a decade at Sydney FC before finally making his Socceroos debut in November, a few short months after returning from an ACL lay-off.

The right-back’s chance arrived at the expense of injured Josh Risdon but he’s handled the responsibility with aplomb under former Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold and despite the step up in intensity.

Though Grant has said playing abroad was never on the bucket list, he didn’t rule out considering offers if they came his way.

And five caps into his international career, Muelensteen said it still wasn’t too late given his workrate and ability to get forward.

“What I like about him is his relaxedness, his focus,” Muelensteen said.

Rhyan Grant has taken the step up to international level in his stride. Picture: AFP

“There’s hardly any real nerves or anxiety, he just gets on with the job. Both defence and attack.

“He’s powerful, he’s positive going forward. I’m really impressed with him. In that position he could still have four or five good years in a good league.”

Mabil, meanwhile, has scored twice and attracted global attention for his goal celebration to raise awareness about mental health.

The 23-year-old only recently re-signed for four years with Danish outfit FC Midtjylland after finally breaking into the first team, but they could soon face competition.

“There’s a lot of pressure on him with Lecks and Arzani out injured,” Socceroos teammate Jackson Irvine said.

“You could say with a fully fit squad he maybe wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play the amount of minutes that he’s played, and he’s grabbed it with both hands.

“That’s what you’ve got to do when you’re a young player given a chance, you’ve got to just take the jersey with both hands and not let anyone take it away from you. He’s certainly done that.

“He’s got an incredibly bright future and he’s a valued member of this squad. I’m sure he will be for a long time to come.”

Get every match of the AFC Asian Cup LIVE only on FOX SPORTS. Sign Up Now!