Perth Glory mentor David Mitchell has hailed versatile midfielder Adriano Pellegrino as the buy of the 2008/09 Hyundai A-League season.
The 24-year-old, who was signed by the Glory in March following their three-match tour of China, has been among his side’s best all season.
In his 16 appearances to date, Pellegrino has found the back of the net twice while serving as a constant provider for his new team-mates having been credited with an impressive four goal-assists.
“He’s been probably Mr Consistent in our team,” Mitchell said of his prize recruit.
“When the team wasn’t riding very well he was playing well.”
“I think he’s a lot better player than people have ever given him credit for and his passing ability is superb left and right foot.”
So impressed is Mitchell with Pellegrino’s progress he called for the dynamic midfielder to be considered for national selection.
“We’ve stuck him out on the wide right now and he’s delivering goals now and he works his socks off so why not (select him in the Socceroos squad),” he said.
“He’s that quality and I’ll have a word with Pim (Verbeek) and I’ll put him forward for sure.”
The man himself is taking his rapid rise in his stride but admits he is relishing his current role with the resurgent Glory who now sits just three points adrift of the all-important top-four.
“I have played in wide positions before with Adelaide United and overseas … it’s been a bit more freedom out wide and a bit more opportunity to show myself and go forward a bit more and yeah I’ve just been really enjoying my football,” Pellegrino said.
Meanwhile, Mitchell conceded he would consider revising his side’s preparation for upcoming away matches after the squad spent the week in Sydney prior to their 4-1 triumph over the Sky Blues.
The coach also expressed confidence over the Glory’s top-four prospects with the squad to be further boosted by the arrival of a former Holland international Victor Sikora in place of the injured Amaral this week.
“That’s something we definitely will look at (our) preparation, and we’ve got a good pick up as well in (Dutch midfielder) Victor Sikora coming next week,” Mitchell said.
“He’s a great player and he’ll just add to the harmony of the team and people will be fighting for spots in the team so it’s a good thing that’s happened now.”
