Melbourne City star Nathaniel Atkinson calls for more young talent to get shot in A-League

Melbourne City teenage sensation Nathaniel Atkinson says young players need more A-League exposure if Australia is to qualify for world youth cups regularly, after the Young Socceroos’ recent disappointment.

Nathaniel Atkinson has impressed in a short space of time for Melbourne City.

Melbourne City’s teenage sensation Nathaniel Atkinson may have had his right-back spot nicked by Ritchie de Laet, but the Tasmanian hopes his versatility will help him retain a first XI spot.

Atkinson said young players needed more A-League exposure if Australia is to qualify for world youth cups regularly, after the Young Socceroos’ recent disappointment.

His 16 A-League starts — 14 more than the next closest players in the squad, Christian Theoharous and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and 11 more than Ajax’s Seb Pasquali — made Atkinson the most experienced player in the Aussie squad.

Nathaniel Atkinson has impressed in a short space of time for Melbourne City.

While ex Manchester United and Leicester City full-back de Laet has claimed right-back with a stunning start to the season and two goals, Atkinson looks to be following in the footsteps of some of the A-League’s versatile greats like Simon Colosimo and Leigh Broxham.

“Warren (Joyce) doesn’t even know what my best position is yet,’’ Atkinson said.

“One of my very strengths is my versatility. I made my debut at right-wing, then moved to right-back and played in midfield.

“Warren and I have an understanding that it’s good maybe that versatility, I can help out the team wherever they need me.”

Atkinson believes Australia is capable of bridging the gap, after losing the Asian Under 19 Championships quarter-final to Saudi Arabia, with only the top four qualifying for the Under 20 World Cup.

He said better preparation and more senior exposure would make the difference.

“It’s always a big challenge for the youth boys to get a gig, I’m in a very lucky situation to be getting the game-time I’m getting,’’ he said.

Nathaniel Atkinson hopes his versatility works in his favour.

“I think the boys are all good enough to play (A-League regularly) but coaches are always looking for the best results and they’ll pick the best team on the day. If they don’t feel like they can give youth the trust at the moment it’ll be tough to break into a squad.

“A lot of boys are getting in now, AP (Stamatelopoulos) and we are seeing more boys on the bench, Connor (Metcalfe) got on the other day.

“We’ve definitely got the talent, Australian football, the youth, is getting better each year.

“We came together three weeks before the tournament, so we didn’t have as much time together as the other Asian teams, who were in camps and playing regularly for years in advance.”

Atkinson was thrilled to wear the captain’s armband for the Young Socceroos, playing in a box-to-box role for coach Ante Milicic.

“It was my first competitive game for Australia. I’ve gone to qualifiers in the past but didn’t get on the field so it was good to finally make my debut,’’ Atkinson said.