Melbourne City’s Aaron Mooy is the best player in the Hyundai A-League, according to Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou.
Mooy, 25, was again named in Australia’s squad for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh in November.
The City marquee has been a regular Socceroo since the Asian Cup in January – a tournament he missed out on – with his blistering form in the Westfield FFA Cup, Hyundai A-League and Socceroos taking his profile to new levels.
Socceroos squad named for upcoming WCQs
Little wonder the Sydney-born former Wanderers star is reportedly being tracked by EPL clubs.
“I’m someone who watches between 20-30 games a week from all over the world and I can tell you the A-League standard stacks up really well,” the Socceroos boss told reporters on Wednesday.
“The best and most exciting player in the [A-League] at the moment is an Aussie [Aaron Mooy] and I don’t think that’s happened for a while.
“It just goes to show you playing in the A-League should be enough motivation for all the players to know they can get to the forefront of the Socceroos.”
Postecoglou underlined his hope that more of his squad play in the biggest leagues around the world as the next World Cup comes around. Mooy certainly looks to be good enough to play in one of the top four leagues in Europe.
Meanwhile, right-back Josh Risdon is the bolter in the 23-man squad but Postecoglou says he has had his eye on the 23-year-old for a while and has been impressed with his form for Perth Glory.
“Players who play well in our competition I’ll have a look at and he’s [Risdon] one of the guys I’m bringing in to give an opportunity to.”
The full-back position is still one area Postecoglou feels the team needs more depth and he’s interested to see how both Risdon and Bradford’s James Meredith handle international football.
Risdon is one of three Hyundai A-League players in the squad.
Skipper Mile Jedinak and Valencia goalkeeper Mat Ryan are both huge inclusions for the Socceroos, having missed the last three qualifiers through injury.
After defeat to Jordan in the last qualifier, victory in the upcoming two matches against Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh is paramount to ensure their road to Russia is back on track.
“It’s great to have them back because they have been a very important part of the last 18-months to two years that this group has been evolving,” Postecoglou said.
“Whenever you get key players back it helps to boost the whole group. The pleasing thing for me is that players have gone back to their clubs and are continuing to play well and are fit which is the most important thing.”
