Duva’s XI: Matildas star Steph Catley set to join England’s Super League invasion
Manchester City sold Aaron Mooy for $17 million and the Socceroos and Premier League star has since been offloaded for a much cheaper price. Find out why in Duva’s XI.
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- Liverpool embarrassed by FA Cup minnow
- Virus forces Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers shift
- The dilemma facing Olyroos ahead of Tokyo
Steph Catley’s name could soon be added to the list of Aussie players making the move to England’s Super League.
Huddersfield Town has been forced to sell Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy to Brighton and Hove Albion
Back in the A-League, Duva says Melbourne City would be thrilled with its recent acquisition, gives his verdict on Western United’s home match at Whitten Oval and reveals the intrigue surrounding Ernie Merrick’s return to Melbourne Victory.
Here’s David Davutovic’s take on football’s biggest topics over the past week.
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1. STEPH JOINS WSL QUEUE
Melbourne City skipper Steph Catley could be joining the growing cast of Aussies in England in another vital step for the development of our much-loved Matildas.
Women’s powerhouse Arsenal is chasing Catley’s signature, probably for next season, after signing Matildas teammate Caitlin Foord.
Catley, 26, is one of the best left backs in the world and was coached by Arsenal’s Aussie boss Joe Montemurro at Melbourne Victory and City.
Sam Kerr’s move to Chelsea has headlined the exodus, which mirrors the women’s power shift to Europe.
England’s Women’s Super League is on the verge of becoming must-watch for Aussie fans, like the Premier League at the turn of the century when the top clubs were littered with Aussies – including Mark Viduka (Leeds United), Harry Kewell (Leeds and Liverpool), Mark Bosnich (Manchester United) and Tim Cahill (Everton).
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi (West Ham), Hayley Raso (Everton) and Chloe Logarzo (Bristol City) also joined this season.
2. OLYMPIC YOUTH BOOST
The Olyroos’ stunning Olympic qualification, thanks to Sunday’s 1-0 third-place playoff win against Uzbekistan, is a huge result.
Tokyo 2020 could have a profound impact on this generation of mainly fringe players.
Goalscoring hero Nick D’Agostino, for example, has made just 12 starts and 36 A-League appearances, totalling 1317 minutes.
Coach Graham Arnold labelled it the biggest achievement of his coaching career in a rousing post-game speech in Bangkok.
3. CUT-PRICE MOOY
Brighton and Hove Albion has snared a bargain, securing Aaron Mooy for $9.6 million.
Huddersfield Town’s financial woes have forced a fire sale and Mooy, who Manchester City sold to the Terriers for $17 million, is now an accomplished Premier League midfielder, chalking up nine goals and numerous assists in his 82 appearances.
Brighton could yet cash in on Mooy, who has another gear left in his football ability.
While Mooy is 29, he is a classic Aussie late bloomer and with his professionalism, durability and love for the game, he has at least five years left at the top level.
That augurs well for the Socceroos, and you wouldn’t put it past “The Pasty Pirlo” —– as Terriers fans dubbed him — to play on until the 2026 World Cup.
4. MUSCAT NOT LEFT WANDERING
There will be no turning back for Kevin Muscat, who was in line for the Western Sydney Wanderers coaching job before moving to Belgium.
Muscat’s Sint-Truiden stint is off to a flyer. He yesterday secured his second straight win since joining in January, 3-1 at R Excel Mouscron.
The former Victory boss is unable to be head coach officially, as UEFA does not recognise Asian coaching badges, but Muscat is calling the shots.
5. BUSHFIRE STARS SECURED
Didier Drogba has joined the star-studded overseas players for the May 23 “Football For Fires” charity match at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
John Aloisi will make a comeback at the venue where he became a Socceroos legend, among the select local players to feature, along with former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich.
Frenchman David Trezeguet, Italian Claudio Marchisio and Croat Dario Simic are among the confirmed overseas stars.
Match agent Lou Sticca is putting the game on with FFA, with funds distributed to fire-affected areas and football communities. Celtic and New York Cosmos have donated $9000 each.
Donations can be made at: fundraise.redcross.org.au/fundraiser/footballforfires.
6. ROJAS CAUTION
Victory resisted the temptation to play Marco Rojas in the 3-0 home loss to Sydney FC on Friday.
Rojas’s international transfer clearance arrived on game day, but having lost defender Tim Hoogland for a long period after rushing him back, Victory interim coach Carlos Salvachua and his football staff opted to wrap the Kiwi in cotton wool.
Rojas stayed in Melbourne while Victory teammates flew to Japan for tomorrow’s Asian Champions League qualifier against Kashima Antlers.
7. ANOTHER LOST SOCCEROO?
Italy’s interest in Roma-bound Sydney midfielder Cristian Volpato, 16, is another warning for Australian football chiefs.
Local coaches expend too much time and energy trying to woo youngsters such as Manchester City starlet and England youth international Alexander Robertson, 16, back after they switch allegiances, partly because of a lack of contact.
An increasing number of young Aussies move abroad due to the A-League bottleneck, and this means FFA’s global scouting strategy must improve. Our professional player pool is so shallow, we can ill afford to lose top talent.
8. VICTORY INTRIGUE
Ernie Merrick’s attendance at Victory’s chairman’s function on Friday raised eyebrows.
Recently departed from Newcastle Jets, the famously stubborn Merrick broke a self-imposed exile since he was sacked by Victory in 2011.
Could he and Victory smoke the peace pipe?
Merrick was seated on the same table as John Aloisi, who will also be in the running for the Victory job.
9. SUSAETA TO STAR
Silky Athletic Bilbao great Markel Susaeta is short of a gallop, but Melbourne City has unearthed a gem who will play a huge role in the finals.
City coach Erick Mombaerts showed what he thinks of Susaeta, surprisingly thrown in from the start of Saturday night’s 0-0 draw with Perth Glory after playing just 165 minutes for Gamba Osaka since leaving Spain last May.
10. WESTERN UNITED PASS
Western United’s Whitten Oval experiment yesterday earned a pass mark and is worth persisting with.
The smaller capacity of the ground made for a better atmosphere for the crowd of 5988.
There was a nice intimate setting in the stands and behind one of the goals. But parts of the ground are quite far from the pitch, a problem at all three of United’s oval-shaped home venues.
Having switched to a second-tier AFL ground, Western United would be better placed longer term securing a boutique National Premier League venue.
11. GOALS FOR RURAL AID
They have carved out stellar careers since their playing days, but Craig Foster and Anthony LaPaglia’s efforts to help Australia’s farmers should be applauded.
Rural Aid general manager Wayne Thompson revealed the extent of the crisis to players before Saturday’s celebrity fundraising game at AAMI Park.
The players’ union will auction the players’ signed jerseys next week, including those of Mark Bresciano, Thomas Sorensen, Josip Skoko, Sasa Ognenovski, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Alan Davidson, Kate Gill, Ed Kavalee and Rody Vargas.