Socceroos World Cup Squad Ladder
As a keen England football fan, I enjoy 'Football 365's Famous England World Cup Ladder', which ranks players according to their chances of international selection, and is published with new comments after every international break. In a comparatively dispassionate sense, I'm interested in the fortunes of the Socceroos, and it occurred to me that no comparable analysis exists.
The England coach has it easy. Gareth Southgate need only list the English players getting first team action at the Premier League's top six clubs, and his squad is almost complete. A decade or so ago, we briefly saw foreign super clubs listed next to the names of David Beckham and Owen Hargreaves, but that has been the exception rather than the rule for the best part of 30 years.
New Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk, like his predecessors in the modern era, must trawl the world for players, always looking to unearth new talent. Europe and Asia are awash with Australians trying to forge successful club careers, which often follow unpredictable paths. Increasingly they have begun in the A-League, but many still go overseas as teenagers. With every transfer window these footballing nomads lurch up and down the rocky path to international recognition.
Here, then, is my take on the 50 players most likely to achieve selection for the Socceroos World Cup squad to be announced next month. It's heavily influenced by van Marwijk's recent first squad selection for the March friendlies against Norway and Colombia. It therefore reflects the change in formation from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3, which benefits some positional specialists at the expense of others.
I encourage you to glance at 'Football 365's Famous England World Cup Ladder', on whose style this piece is based. Like them, I also remind you that this ranking does not reflect my personal opinion, rather it is an estimation of van Marwijk's own preference at this point. Okay, here goes...
1) Aaron Mooy
Position: Midfield; Club: Huddersfield; Country (top division unless stated): England;
Age (at World Cup): 27; Caps: 32
The nation's most skillful player, and the only outfielder reminding us of the days when Kewell, Viduka, Cahill, Emerton, Schwarzer, Aloisi and Neill all graced the English Premier League together. Since narrowly missing the 2015 Asian Cup squad, he has proved a consistent creative force and dead ball weapon for Australia. This team must be greater than the sum of its parts, and even Mooy isn't a star around which it can be built, but he's the closest van Marwijk has to truly elite talent.
2) Mile Jedinak
Position: Midfield; Club: Aston Villa; Country: England (Div. 2); Age: 33; Caps: 75
National captain and defensive midfield linchpin, Jedinak will start in the holding role in Russia. After a season stalled by injury, he has settled back into the heart of Villa's midfield as they chase promotion. More importantly for Australia, he was the talisman who sealed play-off victory over Honduras, and World Cup qualification, with his famed pseudo-hat-trick of two penalties and a deflected own-goal. The veteran Mariners product will take centre stage in June.
3) Matt Leckie
Position: Forward; Club: Hertha Berlin (Germany); Age: 27; Caps: 51
What's more impressive? The fact that Leckie maintains a presence as an overseas player in the high calibre Bundesliga? or the consistent quality of his international performances in the face of perpetual regime and system change? He was Ange Postecoglou's right-wing-back of choice in the side's previous formation, showing his versatility and defensive nous. As a right-sided forward under the new boss he is even more comfortable, and will be crucial to the Socceroos' chances.
4) Aziz Behich
Position: Left-Back; Club: Bursaspor (Turkey); age 27, caps 21
Surprisingly high on this list, perhaps, but the fact is that can Marwijk needs a left-full-back, and Behich has made the position his own. Since his debut in November 2012 he has been in and out of the team, but has gradually seen off various rivals while successfully pursuing his club career. Barring injury, he will start as the crucial defender-marauder on Australia's left side.
5) Trent Sainsbury
Centre-Back, Grasshoppers (Switzerland) age 26, caps 33
Sainsbury would be higher still had he not missed the two recent friendlies through injury. He has been Australia's senior centre-back since the 2015 Asian Cup victory, and maintained his form through the interminable qualification process. The former Mariner is primed to return to fitness and claim his place at the heart of defence; he just needs a reliable partner...
6) Tim Cahill
Forward, Millwall (England D2) age 38, caps 105
Highly unlikely to feature in the starting XI on June 16th, but nonetheless a near certainty to board the plane to Russia. There's a slim chance that van Marwijk will wield his authority by omitting a man whose best football is a distant memory, and who in January swapped Melbourne City's bench for Championship Millwall's in a clumsy attempt to reignite his first professional flame. Realistically though, a few words in the coach's ear from those within Aussie football culture, about the esteem in which Cahill is held, his talismanic effect on those around him, and his genuine potential to make history off the bench with a match-winning header, will see him selected one last time.
7) Brad Jones
Keeper, Feyenoord (Netherlands) age 36, caps 5
Until last week, the most recent of 36-year-old Jones' four caps had come four years ago, after he had spent a large part of his career warming Liverpool's bench, but his impressive resurgence between Feyenoord's posts convinced the new Dutch Socceroos coach that he was worth another look. Against Colombia last week he took his chance, and suddenly the gloves appear to be his.
8) Massimo Luongo
Midfield, Q.P.R. (England D2) age 25, caps 34
Since being named Player Of The Tournament after Australia's victorious hosting of the 2015 Asian Cup, and his subsequent upward move from Swindon to QPR, Luongo has struggled to consolidate his starting place in the national team, drifting instead between the ever-shifting midfield lines of Ange Postecoglou's tactical experiments. Even now his place in the XI is only predicted rather than guaranteed, but he showed his class against Colombia and might be timing his run to perfection.
9) Tom Juric
Striker, Lucerne (Switzerland) age 26, caps 34
It's hard following the Socceroos' fluctuating diaspora of players, but help is at hand: let's separate these two 'Tom-ic's from each other, shall we? Juric is a talented attacking player who furthered his career in Europe in his early 20s after impressing at A-League level in New South Wales. As an out-and-out striker, he's a rarity among Australian players, and will therefore lead the line in van Marwijk's classic Dutch 4-3-3, despite a meagre record of eight goals in 34 appearances that nonetheless places him third among the likely squad in both goals scored and goals-per-game.
10) Tom Rogic
Forward, Celtic (Scotland) age 25, caps 35
A talented attacking player, Rogic furthered his career in Europe in his early 20s after impressing at A-League level for the Mariners in New South Wales. As a deep-lying forward, he's a luxury among Australian players, and there's therefore no place for him in van Marwijk's classic Dutch 4-3-3, despite a record of seven goals in 35 appearances that places him fourth among the projected squad in both goals scored and goals-per-game, behind the prolific Cahill, penalty taker Jedinak and namesake Juric. Like Cahill though, his potential impact should see him make the squad.
11) Robbie Kruse
Forward, VFL Bochum (Germany D2) age 29, caps 62
The fourth most capped player in the projected squad has achieved this through consistently solid performances at international and, mostly German, domestic level. He lacks the flair of Rogic or the game-changing intensity of Cahill but is more likely to start in Russia than either, because he combines what ability he has with tireless energy on the left side of attack. If anything, the reversion to 4-3-3 under the new coach only cements Kruse's position in the Socceroos XI.
12) Matt Ryan
Keeper, Brighton (England) age 26, caps 42
A starting goalkeeper in the English Premier League, Ryan was largely unchallenged for Australia's number one jersey during the Postecoglou era. However, in the last fortnight the Mariners product has lost his place in three phases: first van Marwijk brought Brad Jones out of exile due to his Feyenoord form; then Ryan's horror show against Norway opened the door; finally Jones confirmed his pedigree in the first half against Colombia, and Ryan now finds himself warming the bench.
13) Josh Risdon
Right-Back, Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League) age 25, caps 6
We've already listed plenty of attacking talent and a couple of keepers, but Australia's defence looks a little light so far, and that's because uncertainty abounds regarding its selection. A right-back is required next, and Risdon is the marginal favourite for the position: he's technically the incumbent but is still unproven and would stand out worryingly as the only A-League player in the starting team; his biggest problem might be that the Wanderers are by no means certain to make finals, which would leave him bereft of competitive football as early as next week.
14) Bailey Wright
Right-Back, Bristol City (England D2) age 25, caps 22
Wright had a shocker against Norway in his first international appearance on the right side of a back four, but it's no surprise that he was given the opportunity, having operated securely in the same position in the Championship - a cut above the A-League, despite Australia's improving domestic product. He is no wing-back in the Leckie mould, but was a consistent selection on the right of Postecoglou's back three, and this versatility will keep him in the squad. He may get another chance at right-back, but is also one of numerous contenders to partner Sainsbury in the middle.
15) Mark Milligan
Midfield, Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) age 32, caps 69
Jedinak's deputy in his preferred position of defensive midfield, but used at centre- and right-back in the recent friendlies, Milligan is another whose versatility confirms his selection. Having raised eyebrows with a January move to the Middle East, this experienced senior figure will nonetheless be an asset to the squad, but is unlikely to provide the tournament's most memorable moments.
16) Matt Jurman
Centre-Back, Suwon (Korea) age 28, caps 4
With our 16th name the projected starting XI is finally complete, but by no means certain. Before injury ruled him out of the recent friendlies, Jurman was one of three preferred centre-backs, with all four of his caps coming in qualification play-offs - high competitive intensity, granted, but limited opposition in Syria and Honduras. The coach has spoken about him in the same breath as Sainsbury as an important returnee from injury, and that's the best we have to go on for now.
17) Milos Degenek
Centre-Back, Yokohama (Japan) age 24, caps 17
What about Degenek though? The younger centre-back faced the attacks of Norway and Colombia, and, at least in the latter game, acquitted himself well. Now playing under Postecoglou in Japan, he's been a regular in defence since his international debut two years ago, and completes a four-way tussle to partner Sainsbury in the middle when the tournament begins.
18) Jackson Irvine
Midfield, Hull (England D2) age 25, caps 17
A defensive midfielder with an eye for goal is a curious creature indeed, and Irvine's double-threat has kept him in contention, while the form for Championship arrivistes Burton that first earned him national selection also secured his move to a slightly bigger club. A danger at set pieces, his headed goal against Norway was the false dawn that preceded defensive collapse in Oslo.
19) James Meredith
Left-Back, Millwall (England D2) age 30, caps 2
Saw no action in the friendly window, having won both of his caps back in 2015. He has painstakingly ascended the English lower leagues, mostly in Yorkshire, but is now in the form of his life. Everyone knows that you always take a second specialist left-back to a tournament, and Meredith seems to have the nod, provisionally. Training alongside the influential Cahill at Millwall can't hurt either.
20) Andrew Nabbout
Striker, Urawa (Japan) age 25, caps 2Although technically an overseas based player, Nabbout's recent selection was among those which proved that A-League form can earn international recognition, and further evidence that Australia haven't had a reliable specialist striker since John Aloisi's retirement forced Cahill to advance from midfield. If Nabbout starts (and finishes) well in Japan, he could challenge Juric for a starting berth
21) Dimi Petratos
Forward, Newcastle Jets (A-League) age 25, caps 1
Nabbout's partner in crime as Newcastle made second place their own in Australia, Petratos is the closest challenger to Kruse for the left-sided attacking role. He thoroughly deserved his international debut, but was quiet in Oslo, and needs to reignite his domestic form to ensure World Cup selection.
22) Danny Vukovic
Keeper, Genk (Belgium) age 33, caps 1
Having first been selected for a Socceroos squad 12 years ago, Vukovic became Australia's oldest debutant in 60 years; then, as a creditable scoreless draw loomed, he gifted Colombia a penalty in the dying moments - and promptly saved it... on his birthday. The fairy tale looks set to continue.
23) James Troisi
Forward, Melbourne Victory (A-League) age 29, caps 37
The adjective 'mercurial' becomes increasingly pejorative as a footballer ages, and at 29, Troisi needs to redefine himself, having flattered to deceive since that extra-time Asian Cup final winner in 2015. At his best he could be a key attacking threat in Russia, but the time for potential has passed.
24) Aleksandar Susnjar
Centre-Back, Mlada Boleslav (Czechia) age 22, caps 1
Perceived as the classic 'bolter' after van Marwijk's first squad announcement, Susnjar's display off the bench was a rare highlight of the Oslo debacle, but he was unused against Colombia and, with little time to impress the coach, looks like one defender too many if the squad is balanced efficiently. One of a quirky Australian triumvirate at his Czech club, with Eli Babalj and Golgol Mebrahtu.
25) Josh Brillante
Midfield, Sydney (A-League) age 25, caps 5
A fourth A-Leaguer included in van Marwijk's 26-man squad (while Vukovic, Nabbout, Milligan and Jurman have only recently departed these shores) but Brillante finds himself outside the 23, since only one defensive midfielder should start and Jedinak, Milligan and Irvine are ahead of him. It's strange that Sydney, such a dominant force domestically, might have no representative in Russia.
26) Nikita Rukavytsya
Striker, Maccabi Haifa (Israel) age 30, caps 18
Further proof if needed that Australian strikers are thin on the ground, Rukavytsya has been in and around the national squad for the best part of a decade, with a solitary goal to show for it. Retained for the March friendlies, but if he is the answer, van Marwijk should ask a different question.
27) Mitch Langerak
Keeper, Nagoya (Japan) age 29, caps 8
After an initial 29-man squad had been announced, the rhyming trio of Langerak, Gersbach and Jamie Mac were discarded before the friendlies. Clearly they are in the manager's thoughts, and it's fair to assume that in the event of a goalkeeping injury, Langerak will board the plane instead.
28) Jamie MacLaren
Striker, Hibernian (Scotland) age 24, caps 5
MacLaren in particular can leapfrog a couple of peripheral strikers into the World Cup squad with a strong finish to the Scottish season. Having previously impressed for Perth and Brisbane, he has the potential to surpass Juric as Australia's chief goal threat in the longer term.
29) Alex Gersbach
Left-Back, Lens (France D2) age 21, caps 4
Capped as a teenager fresh from a strong debut season with Sydney, Gersbach has plenty of time to build a strong international career, but for now he appears to be third choice for the left-back role.
30) Brandon Borrello
Forward, Kaiserslautern (Germany D2) age 22, caps 0
Beyond van Marwijk's March selection we find those unlucky to miss out. Borrello showed youthful attacking verve alongside Petratos at Brisbane, and has consolidated an overseas move better than his former colleague did, with some notable performances in Germany. 'Out of sight, out of mind' though, as the coach rewards A-League players at just the wrong moment for the young forward.
31) Daniel Arzani
Forward, Melbourne City (A-League) age 19, caps 0
What, then, is the excuse for omitting Arzani? It can only be that the absurdly talented teenager hasn't yet accumulated a sufficient number of 90-minute performances. He only broke into City's team mid-season, but since then he has been devastating, creating chance after chance for teammates. If he maintains this form into finals, the clamour to select him will be deafening.
32) Rhys Williams
Centre-Back, Melbourne Victory (A-League) age 29, caps 14
While a pack of contenders audition unconvincingly, the best centre-back in the A-League is still in his 20s but was last capped five years ago. The deeper Victory go into finals, the more opportunities Williams will have to stake his claim as a ready made injury replacement.
33) Luke Wilkshire
Right-Back, Sydney (A-League) age 36, caps 80
If Risdon and Wright fail to convince van Marwijk, he ought to consider the vastly experienced Wilkshire, whose solid defence and marauding overlaps are key to Sydney's success. Not capped since 2014, he could yet have an Indian summer in Russia, and would also offer midfield cover.
34) Ryan McGowan
Right/Centre-Back, Bradford (England D3) age 28, caps 20
McGowan was the only squad member from the November play-off against Honduras who wasn't selected in March, as he continues his return from injury. There is therefore no reason to assume that he is not in van Marwijk's thoughts, and as another versatile right-sided defender he has a claim. However, he has little time to regain his place, and must attempt to do so on the provincial stage of England's third tier - the only player on this list with such a handicap.
35) Brad Smith
Left-Back, Bournemouth (England) age 24, caps 19
For a while back there, Smith was the Socceroos' first choice left-back, as Postecoglou seemed to make an exception to his rule of picking players who were getting first-team football domestically. His performances probably weren't as bad as supporter opprobrium suggested at the time, but better alternatives have now been identified, and he remains on the fringes for his club.
36) Mark Birighitti
Keeper, Breda (Netherlands) age 27, caps 1
Brad Jones clearly impressed van Marwijk with his form in a Dutch league goal, and, while Breda are no Feyenoord, Birighitti is first choice there, so my money's on him to get the nod should a further goalkeeping alternative be required. One of the A-League's better keepers before the move abroad.
37) Luke Brattan
Midfield, Melbourne City (A-League) age 28, caps 0
A consistently exceptional performer for Brisbane and City - with an unsuccessful English sojourn in between - Brattan currently leads the Alex Tobin award points table (Fox Sports' A-League player of the year voting system) alongside Sydney's star Polish import Mierzejewski. At his best, he combines the defensive grit of Jedinak or Brillante with a sprinkling of Mooy's creative vision.
38) Alex Wilkinson
Centre-Back, Sydney (A-League) age 33, caps 16
Capped several times before, and a two-time reigning A-League premier (Sydney have secured first place so only finals await). Age is not on his side, but van Marwijk cares little for the future.
39) Michael Zullo
Left-Back, Sydney (A-League) age 29, caps 10
As above, but without the age proviso. When Sydney poached these two from Melbourne in 2016, they completed their championship defensive puzzle and left a gaping hole in City's. Zullo is a constant threat going forward, as every left-back should be, and would be an able deputy to Behich.
40) Dylan McGowan
Right/Centre-Back, Gangwon (Korea) age 26, caps 1
It would be cruel to suggest that his only Socceroos cap, at last year's Confederations Cup, was a result of mistaken identity, but with the McGowans even operating in the same position, it's hard not to conclude that Dylan is a less adept - and only slightly younger - version of his brother Ryan.
41) Chris Ikonomidis
Forward, Western Sydney Wanderers (A-League) age 23, caps 6
Another to have recently returned to the A-League from overseas, Ikonomidis has been in exciting form since swapping Italy for Parramatta. He's a versatile attacking option and could still feature.
42) Adam Federici
Keeper, Bournemouth (England) age 33, caps 16
Many of Federici's best years were spent as deputy to Mark Schwarzer, and he never quite made the number one shirt his own following the most capped Socceroo's retirement. He hasn't played for Bournemouth this season, but knows his way around the international scene in case of emergency.
43) Ivan Franjic
Right-Back, Brisbane (A-League) age 30, caps 20
Franjic is at one of those teams competing with Risdon's Wanderers for a finals spot, and a good run there might bring him into contention, although he fell from favour at international level after injury forced him out of the Asian Cup final, with frequent subsequent returns to the treatment table.
44) Daniel de Silva
Midfield, Central Coast Mariners (A-League) age 21, caps 0
An uncapped player at Australia's worst professional club, de Silva has nonetheless been regarded as a future Socceroo star for a few years already. One of only four Australians - with Brattan, Williams and Petratos - in the top nine* of the Alex Tobin table, his time might just have come.
*Top nine seems a strange selection, but it's what they display on the A-League highlights show...
45) Adam Taggart
Striker, Perth Glory (A-League) age 25, caps 7
He's uncapped in four years but still only 25, and Taggart is finally rediscovering the form that saw him signed by Fulham in an ultimately unsuccessful move. A natural finisher who thrives when entrusted with goalscoring responsibility, he needs a big few weeks in order to be noticed.
46) Jason Davidson
Left/Centre-Back, Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) age 26, caps 22
More capped than Behich, Degenek or Irvine and still approaching his prime, Davidson is another who has drifted from view since being first choice full-back at the Asian Cup, and an example of the difficulty faced by Australians in choosing a country, or even continent, in which to ply their trade at different stages of their careers. Secured a loan move in January to gain some first team action.
47) Jack Duncan
Keeper, Newcastle Jets (A-League) age 25, caps 0
If van Marwijk chooses the A-League as the source of his next reserve goalkeeping selection, he'll want a young player with potential, who has already proven his quality and gained confidence from operating in a successful team. Amid relatively slim pickings (see below), Duncan is that man.
48) Matt Spiranovic
Centre-Back, unattached, age 29, caps 35
Sainsbury's central defensive partner in the Asian Cup victory lost his place after moving to the Chinese second division against the will of then national coach Postecoglou. In January he attempted to make amends by quitting the club; unfortunately, no new employer has yet been forthcoming...
49) Rhyan Grant
Right-Back, Sydney (A-League) age 27, caps 0
Invited to a Socceroo squad last year after an excellent title-winning season with Sydney; ruled out for the whole of this season with a cruciate ligament injury, but still hoping for a last-minute return.
50) Isaias Sanchez
Midfield, Adelaide United (A-League) age 31, caps 0
Adelaide's Spanish captain is third on the Tobin table alongside Victory's star Dutch import Leroy George, and will soon become eligible for Socceroos selection having spent five years playing in Australia. This would make a mockery of international football, but stranger things have happened...
Noone should have to read all this without the reward of a brightly coloured spreadsheet, so here's the data, complete with an extremely sketchy attempt to extend the rankings all the way to 100:
