Alicia
Well-Known Member
By David Davutovic
April 02, 2008 12:00am
THE only thing stopping him from playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world is the best goalkeeper in the world, but Jess Vanstrattan is prepared to return to the A-League if it helps his chances of Socceroos selection.
Vanstrattan is one of the back-up keepers at Italian giants Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon - the man who thwarted the Socceroos' progress at the 2006 World Cup and has just signed a deal through to 2013.
But Vanstrattan, 25, wants to jostle for a spot in the Socceroos' 2010 World Cup qualifying squad and, having dropped off the national team radar, believes an A-League stint might do the trick.
"It's a case of out of sight, out of mind,'' he said from Torino. "I think I could go up against a lot of other (Aussie) keepers. I've spoken with (Socceroos keeper coach) Tony Franken, who told me they are looking at guys that are playing regularly, so that criteria is fair enough.''
While Mark Schwarzer has a firm grip on the No.1 shirt, the back-up spots are up for grabs.
Newcastle Jets' Ante Covic is back in favour at the moment and Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Adam Federici (Reading), Nathan Coe (FC Copenhagen), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast) and Tando Velaphi (Perth) have all been called upon in the past year.
One reason no one has been challenging Schwarzer is because very few are playing regularly, which is why Vanstrattan - who has played for the Joeys and the Young Socceroos - is considering rejecting Juventus' next offer.
"I've been thinking a lot and next season's crucial with the World Cup qualifiers, it's something I've been quietly working towards,'' he said. "I really want to be involved with the national team.
"It's not an easy decision with Juventus. I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world and people might think your career's the main thing, but I like playing for my country. If you're not a regular, returning to Australia might be a good option, because sometimes players are forgotten about.''
Vanstrattan, who hails from Wamberal, on the Central Coast, said while he has not played much this season, facing David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero at training has been more than beneficial.
"(Coach) Claudio Ranieri changes it around a bit. I've been on bench six or seven times this season but it hasn't been enough to satisfy me,'' he said.
"Getting knocked out of the Coppa Italia and the Champions League has made it tough. With Buffon in front of you, unless he has problems, you don't get a look in.
"But it's good in a way because you learn from one of the best keepers in the world and every day you're facing shots from Trezeguet, who is a freak in front of goal.''
With former club Verona preventing him from joining the Jets last year, his A-League options appear limited.
But if Vukovic's nine-month suspension is upheld - which would rule him out until round 14 - the door may open at his hometown club, while Perth, Sydney FC and perhaps Queensland are potential homes.
Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23468755-5006068,00.html
April 02, 2008 12:00am
THE only thing stopping him from playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world is the best goalkeeper in the world, but Jess Vanstrattan is prepared to return to the A-League if it helps his chances of Socceroos selection.
Vanstrattan is one of the back-up keepers at Italian giants Juventus for Gianluigi Buffon - the man who thwarted the Socceroos' progress at the 2006 World Cup and has just signed a deal through to 2013.
But Vanstrattan, 25, wants to jostle for a spot in the Socceroos' 2010 World Cup qualifying squad and, having dropped off the national team radar, believes an A-League stint might do the trick.
"It's a case of out of sight, out of mind,'' he said from Torino. "I think I could go up against a lot of other (Aussie) keepers. I've spoken with (Socceroos keeper coach) Tony Franken, who told me they are looking at guys that are playing regularly, so that criteria is fair enough.''
While Mark Schwarzer has a firm grip on the No.1 shirt, the back-up spots are up for grabs.
Newcastle Jets' Ante Covic is back in favour at the moment and Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Adam Federici (Reading), Nathan Coe (FC Copenhagen), Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast) and Tando Velaphi (Perth) have all been called upon in the past year.
One reason no one has been challenging Schwarzer is because very few are playing regularly, which is why Vanstrattan - who has played for the Joeys and the Young Socceroos - is considering rejecting Juventus' next offer.
"I've been thinking a lot and next season's crucial with the World Cup qualifiers, it's something I've been quietly working towards,'' he said. "I really want to be involved with the national team.
"It's not an easy decision with Juventus. I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world and people might think your career's the main thing, but I like playing for my country. If you're not a regular, returning to Australia might be a good option, because sometimes players are forgotten about.''
Vanstrattan, who hails from Wamberal, on the Central Coast, said while he has not played much this season, facing David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero at training has been more than beneficial.
"(Coach) Claudio Ranieri changes it around a bit. I've been on bench six or seven times this season but it hasn't been enough to satisfy me,'' he said.
"Getting knocked out of the Coppa Italia and the Champions League has made it tough. With Buffon in front of you, unless he has problems, you don't get a look in.
"But it's good in a way because you learn from one of the best keepers in the world and every day you're facing shots from Trezeguet, who is a freak in front of goal.''
With former club Verona preventing him from joining the Jets last year, his A-League options appear limited.
But if Vukovic's nine-month suspension is upheld - which would rule him out until round 14 - the door may open at his hometown club, while Perth, Sydney FC and perhaps Queensland are potential homes.
Source: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23468755-5006068,00.html
) and then maybe go back to Europe and look around for a first squad position somewhere. If he is next in line after Buffon at Juventus then his chance will come eventually, he has to be patient. But becoming the first goalie for a European top 20 side would require a lot of luck
