Former Socceroo Josip Skoko says the current crop of players no longer possess the same hunger to make it in Europe, with the “safer bet” in Asia a more preferable option.
Speaking on the Daily Football Show as part of a new ‘Retro Roo’ series, Skoko said the landscape had changed since he left Australia as a teenager 1995 for Hajduk Split in Croatia.
“I totally agree…I think it’s made it harder for the national team,” he said.
“Now they’re more likely to be in the A-League or close-by in Asia.”
“It’s the safer bet and the easier way (in Asia). They do obviously go to good clubs, but it’s not Europe. We (the golden generation) were forced to go looking overseas because of the way it was back then.”
“I’d certainly recommend to the better boys to get to Europe if they want to take that next step to be world-class.”
Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Sprianovic, Tim Cahill, Apostolos Giannou, Ryan McGowan and James Troisi make up a handful of some of the Socceroos best players plying their trade in China, which has changed the entire world football landscape in the past six months.
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