John Aloisi’s glowing endorsement for A-Leagues star tipped for ‘high level overseas’

Western United head coach John Aloisi believes Angus Thurgate is ready to make a move abroad as he tipped the in-form A-Leagues star to go to a “high level overseas” at the end of the season.

Thurgate is enjoying arguably the best season of his Isuzu UTE A-League career as his consistent performances help unlock high-flying Western United in 2024-25.

The 24-year-old’s form has coincided with the rise of John Aloisi’s youthful Western, who are sixth but only three points off the pace heading into Friday night’s reunion with his former club Newcastle Jets.

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Asked if he though a Subway Socceroos call-up could be on the horizon for Thurgate, Aloisi told reporters: “I hope so for him.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person. I think he’s really gone to another level this season.

“He’s the big reason, well one of the reasons, why we’re going to another level as a team.

“Not only with the ball but without the ball, he does so much work for us, so many positive things for us. With the ball, what I’ve loved about him this season, every time he gets the ball he looks to play forward. That’s hard to then stop when you’re playing forward quickly to our strikers and wingers, then you have support underneath from our midfielders.

“Whereas last year, he probably didn’t have as much of that in his game. This season he is so positive with the ball.

“Hopefully for him the next step, I don’t want to see him go from the A-Leagues, but I think the next step at the end of the season might be to go to a high level overseas.”

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Thurgate recently became the youngest player in Isuzu UTE A-League history to reach 150 appearances. Even at his relatively young age, he has been a wise head among an exciting cohort of academy graduates at Ironbark Fields.

No player across the competition has played more minutes than Thurgate in 2024-25 (1,170, equal first with Filip Kurto, Luke Brattan and Matt Sutton).

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His ability to go box-to-box, break up play and create chances has made him a priceless asset for Aloisi this term as the 2022 champions eye a return to the Finals Series for the first time since winning the Championship almost three years ago.

The former Young Socceroos midfielder ranks first for possession won in the middle third (48) – level with Macarthur Bulls star and Socceroo Luke Brattan this season, while he is second for duels (169) and third for duels won (83), while he comes in at fifth for possession won (74).

Aside from his ball-winning exploits, Thurgate’s five through balls this season is only one short of the most in the Isuzu UTE A-League and equal fourth having supplied three assists.

Among midfielders, the 2021-22 Young Footballer of the Year is ninth for total carries (143) and carry directness (47.9) and 10th for total carry distance (1,387.3) as he covers an enormous amount of ground on the pitch.

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“We also have to think about some players who went (overseas) a little bit older,” Aloisi added. “I’m not sure how old Mile Jedinak was when he left but he was a little bit older than most when they go over.

“Aaron Mooy when he came back and left again. They still had really good careers.

“The thing with Angus, because he’s had 150-plus games under his belt, if he goes somewhere at the age of 24-25, he is going as an experienced player so he should fit into wherever he goes pretty quickly.

“That’s what I see with him, I believe he is good enough to take the next step. It won’t happen during the season, lets hope not anyway but at the end of the season I think there might be an opportunity for him.”

Western are soaring to new heights this season as the Green and Black become the entertainers of the league.

Aloisi’s men have turned a corner while their attack wreaks havoc on the competition. Prior to their 4-3 win over Sydney in December, Western had scored seven goals in seven games. Since then, Western have netted 16 times across six fixtures, having bagged four goals in wins over the Sky Blues, Auckland FC and Melbourne Victory.

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It is contrast to the football Aloisi’s Western played when they won the 2021-22 Championship, with their success built on solid defensive foundation but this season’s youthful entertainers are more closely aligned to the Socceroos legend’s vision.

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“Sometimes you’re with a certain playing group that you need to adjust the way you play,” he reflected.

“I felt that season there it was really important we made sure we’re hard to beat. Very good defensively because the personnel we had. We couldn’t press for long periods because of the personnel we had. So we actually played (a way) that suited our squad.

“This season, it’s different. We have very young players who are very mobile and can press for long periods. Our midfield’s mobile, they can get up and down.

“So we can play the game we like to play and that’s the game I like to play. I’ve always enjoyed coaching (it) because I believe it’s the best way to win football games but also I know the players enjoy playing that.”