When Caltex Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou anoints you as the best player in the Hyundai A-League, that could put pressure on your shoulders. Not Aaron Mooy.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has been on another planet this season – for both club and country – and has quickly become the competition’s most influential and visionary midfielder.
It seems like he thrives on the added pressure and profile.
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The 2015/16 campaign is Mooy’s fourth season in the Hyundai A-League, but easily his best.
He has scored 11 goals and provided a league-high 20 assists in 24 appearances for John van ‘t Schip’s side.
In the middle of the park he’s also managed an impressive 190 ball recoveries, while his 1285 passes have come with an accuracy of almost 82 percent.
But it’s his combination with star Uruguayan striker Bruno Fornaroli which is a major reason why City have smashed a whole range of goal-scoring records this season.
The pair has developed an uncanny understanding over the season, with Mooy providing many of the assists for Fornaroli’s astonishing 23-goal haul for the season.
Rewind, and Mooy spent his youth career at Bolton Wanderers in England before a short stint at Scottish club St Mirren.
But it was when he signed with Western Sydney Wanderers in the club’s first season in the Hyundai A-League where his talents began to really develop.
While he was a strong performer at Wanderland, Mooy could never fully establish himself in Tony Popovic’s starting XI and headed south to City at the start of last season.
And what a clever move it has turned out to be. Not only has Mooy developed into the competition’s premier player with a string of fine performances but he’s also established himself as a key figure for the Caltex Socceroos.
While quietly spoken and shy, Mooy’s footballing ability speaks for itself. The Sydneysider really is the complete midfielder.
Not only does he possess a relentless work ethic – something unusual for many flair players – but the 25-year-old has an excellent football brain, a vast passing range and an eye for goal.
It would seem only a matter of time before big overseas clubs comes calling for Mooy’s services so let’s enjoy his class while we can.
