Midfield depth offers options as Arnold ponders Mooy-less future
Aaron Mooy's retirement at the end of June has launched a changing of the guard at the heart of midfield for the Socceroos.
The 57-capped midfield general has been an integral part of the previous two World Cup campaigns for Australia, including most recently at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
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However, Mooy’s hanging up of the boots means coach Graham Arnold has to return to the drawing board, peaking into the pool of Australian midfield talent.
The midfielder had not played for the Aussies since the World Cup but Arnold already had one eye on the future, with a number of younger midfielders already receiving senior caps over the past 18 months.
And the boss again announced the inclusion of a raft of emerging midfielders at the international level for the Mexico match, such as Denis Genreau.
The midfielder has had a bright opening to his second season in France’s top flight. He has started two of Toulouse’s first three matches while coming off the bench in the side’s come-from-behind draw against giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The coach hinted that a change of system from a single pivot to a twin could be on the cards post-Mooy, praising Genreau’s development in a more advanced role this Ligue 1 campaign.
“Denis is doing very, very well in France, and I look forward to seeing him this week,” Arnold said.
“His role has changed a bit at Toulouse. He's more of a number ten now, and in those areas in midfield, whether it's the eight or the ten position or the six, we've got quite a few options.”
Among the other options Arnold is considering for a new-look midfield is Standard Liege's new signing, Aiden O’Neill as well as Scottish Premiership duo Keanu Baccus and Cameron Devlin.
The former A-Leagues stars will battle it out with the tried and tested likes of Jackson Irvine for a place ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2024™.
Arnold also mentioned another name, one key to Australia’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup triumph, Massimo Luongo.
The current Ipswich Town playmaker was crowned as the most valuable player of the Australia-hosted tournament eight years ago.
Injuries have hampered Luongo’s promising career in the green and gold, but while not in the squad for September, he has caught the eye of the coach.
“We’re quite strong in those [midfield] positions,” Arnold explained.
“We've got some other players that are working hard and doing well overseas at the moment.
“I've watched him (Luongo) play, and he was very impressive with Ipswich as well. And he's got that experience, he's 30 years of age.”
Australia take on Mexico at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas in the United States next Saturday, with a glimpse of the future of the Socceroos’ midfield on show.
International Friendly
Mexico vs Australia
Date: Sunday, 10 September 2023
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Time: 12:00pm AEST, (9:00pm Saturday, 9 September local time)
Broadcast: Live on Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
