‘You have to respect the shirt’: Socceroos in selection stand-off with young star

The Socceroos are locked in a delicate stand-off with arguably the nation’s most promising midfielder, Alex Robertson, who coach Tony Popovic says has decided to “not make himself available” for selection for this month’s World Cup qualifiers.

An academy product of Manchester City, Robertson moved to English Championship club Cardiff City this season and has been a stand-out in his 10 appearances so far, quickly emerging as one of the best young players in the division and attracting interest from Premier League sides for a potential January transfer.

The 21-year-old, who grew up in Sydney, made his debut for Australia last year – following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both played for the Socceroos, and seemingly ending a four-nation battle for his allegiance, since he is also eligible to play for England, Scotland and Peru through family ties.

But Robertson hasn’t been picked in an Australian squad since last June’s friendly against Argentina in Beijing, and there appears to be an increasing risk that the two-cap midfielder could be lost to the nation.

According to multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Robertson feels aggrieved by his treatment under Popovic’s predecessor, Graham Arnold. Robertson also recently scrubbed any Socceroos-related photos from his Instagram page, but is not believed to be considering switching his allegiance to one of the other three countries he can still represent.

Popovic last month said a “paperwork issue” was prohibiting Robertson’s availability for the October window, and a Football Australia spokesperson later confirmed this was still the case.

Alex Robertson’s international future is shrouded in mystery.Credit: Getty

Asked about Robertson’s status on Friday, as he unveiled a fresh 26-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Popovic said the matter was in the player’s hands.

“If he wants to play for the Socceroos, he needs to make himself available,” he said. “If he wants to make himself available for the Socceroos, then we can look at whether we select him. But at the moment, we don’t have that option.”

Robertson’s agent, Paddy Dominguez, declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.

Popovic has previously declared he would never make a “sales pitch” to a player about why they should play for the Socceroos, and again struck a similar chord in his press conference in Melbourne.

Alex Robertson (left) was training with the world’s best players, such as Erling Haaland, every day at Manchester City.Credit: Getty

“We’ve had people that have spoken to him. We understand where he sits at the moment in terms of his decision,” he said.

“He’s a young man that’s made a decision. We have to respect that decision. He’s young, trying to make his way in football. He’s playing regularly. We’ll keep monitoring him, and we’ll see what happens in the future.

“I think you have to respect the shirt, the badge. You have to respect the honour of playing for the Socceroos. We also have to respect the fact that everyone can make their own choice and their decision.

“Right now, his decision is not to make himself available. That does not mean he would be selected - let’s make that clear as well. He’s a young player that’s coming through, but we know he’s a talent and we have many young, talented players that are trying to forge a career in Europe.

SOCCEROOS SQUAD FOR NOVEMBER WINDOW

GOALKEEPERS: Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo, Maty Ryan.

DEFENDERS: Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Rhyan Grant, Hayden Matthews, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar.

MIDFIELDERS: Max Balard, Anthony Caceres, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Aiden O’Neill, Patrick Yazbek.

FORWARDS: Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi.

---

IN: Max Balard, Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Anthony Caceres, Milos Degenek, Rhyan Grant, Hayden Matthews, Kusini Yengi.

OUT: Daniel Arzani, Keanu Baccus, Luke Brattan, Thomas Deng, Nestory Irankunda, Sam Silvera, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Gianni Stensness.

“We’ve watched all his matches. We’ll continue to do that. And if the opportunity comes that we can select him, we’ll make that decision.”

Whatever the true reason, Robertson’s absence from the Socceroos is creating chances for other players – chiefly Max Balard, the former Central Coast Mariners star who has earned comparisons with one of the greatest midfielders of the modern era since joining his new club in the Netherlands.

The uncapped Balard is one of several eye-catching inclusions in Popovic’s squad, having played every minute of every game in the Dutch Eredivisie since arriving at NAC Breda. Local media have dubbed him the “Australian Kante”, so reminiscent of the former Leicester City and Chelsea star N’golo Kante is his workrate and industry in midfield.

“We always knew he had great potential and did a wonderful job at Central Coast, but it’s another step up when you go to Europe,” Popovic said. “He’s had some very good performances this year ... in the last month, his game’s become even more consistent, more balanced in his play with and without the ball.”

Max Balard is poised for his Socceroos debut.Credit: Getty Images

Popovic is still working through his options to partner Jackson Irvine, who has been in fine form for FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, at the base of Australia’s midfield, and Balard shapes as a potentially perfect foil for him - but there is another wildcard candidate in the mix.

Veteran midfielder Anthony Caceres is also in line for his long-awaited Socceroos debut at the age of 32, and is one of three Sydney FC players handed call-ups by Popovic, along with 20-year-old central defender Hayden Matthews, who has been named for the first time, and right-back Rhyan Grant, who hasn’t played international football in three years.

Eight players have been omitted from Popovic’s last squad, including 2022 World Cup regular Keanu Baccus, Bayern Munich prospect Nestory Irankunda and Macarthur FC midfielder Luke Brattan.

Irankunda, Popovic said, was left out to give him an “opportunity” to settle in further at Bayern. “Hopefully this will help him grow ... we still hope that we really see his potential moving forward from him in the national team in years to come,” he said.

After a win over China and an unexpected draw away to Japan last month, the Socceroos sit second in Group C – equal on points with the Saudis and Bahrain, who they will face in Riffa on November 19. Only the top two teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will progress to the fourth qualifying round.

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