Shock transfer rumour as another giant circles star; squeeze to spark fresh Socceroos stunner

All the talk in the build-up to the Socceroos’ final group stage game against Paraguay on Friday is centred on what manager Tony Popovic should do next with the starting XI.

The only man to represent Australia at a World Cup as a player and a coach has rolled the dice so far this tournament and he is currently operating at a 50 per cent success rate.

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Popovic had jaws on floors across the country when the line-up was announced before Australia’s 2-0 win against Turkiye in Vancouver.

Captain Mat Ryan was dumped for young goalkeeper Patrick Beach.

Experienced midfielder Jackson Irvine was also sent to the bench in favour of another youngster in Paul Okon-Englster.

Both gambles worked wonders as Australia’s second ever win in a World Cup opener gave the Socceroos a massive headstart in their quest to reach the knockouts for a third time ever.

But every gambler rides the highs and lows and Popovic’s punts flopped against the USA.

The decision to bench goal scorers from the Turkiye win, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, backfired when Australia failed to mount a serious threat on the counter-attack in the first half and then looked like a whole new team when that duo combined with Cristian Volpato in the final half an hour.

Australia were the better team after half time in Seattle, but the damage was already done with the Americans scoring twice in the first half.

The overwhelming consensus in the aftermath was that Popovic made a blunder with his selection and he needed to simplify things against Paraguay.

Pick the best players to start and get on the front foot from the outset is what Australians have been crying out for.

But the more the experts are spending time pondering over what the Socceroos’ line up should be in Santa Clara, the cloudier the picture is becoming.

Predominantly, what Australia should do with its front three.

“I want to see Volpato, Irankunda, Metcalfe and Toure on the field at the same time,” former Socceroo Tommy Oar said on SBS.

“It’s a misconception that you lose defensive stability by having these offensive players on the field.

“The more time spent in the front third dictating the game, the less defending you have to do.”

Oar’s suggestion would force Metcalfe to drop back into midfield unless Popovic underwent a major change in formation.

Football commentator Daniel Garb pondered those options on social media, saying “both of which are highly unlikely - one of them has to miss out”.

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Former Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen believes it simply cannot be Irankunda who starts on the bench.

“When you set yourself up with that defensive mindset... you put yourself on the back foot,” he said on SBS.

“In this game, come out, give it everything.

“Irankunda is an X-factor. In this day and age that’s what’s gonna decide games.

“He can create something out of nothing.

“That value is higher than the disciplined player that runs back and tracks back and is always in the right position.”

Socceroo legend Harry Kewell believes everyone is missing something when it comes to the 20-year-old sensation who plays for Watford in the English Championship.

“Popa sees [Irankunda] day in, day out. There must be something there that is stopping him from starting,” Kewell said on SBS.

“In this day and age you need to be able to work off the ball.”

Fellow winger Volpato certainly passed the eye test in his World Cup debut, which was just his second appearance for the Socceroos.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Sassuolo in Italy after making his way in Serie A with Roma, completed five of five dribbles - the most ever by a Socceroo in a World Cup game - in just 29 minutes on the park.

Volpato’s technical ability and class was something rarely seen in the green and gold.

“He is the most exciting player – skillset wise – I’ve seen for Australia since Harry Kewell,” football commentator Brenton Speed told SEN’s Kick Off.

“Maybe a Tom Rogic along the journey (as well.)

“He had more successful dribbles than anyone we’ve seen in an Australian shirt at a World Cup!

“Volpato would be quicker than Rogic, and he is so skilful. Left footer… he is going to play a lot more for the Socceroos.

“They did well to get him.”

Despite his high praise, Speed believes Volpato should be the odd man out against Paraguay.

The Sydney born and raised player only committed to Australia at the death knock before this World Cup - having rejected Graham Arnold’s advances four years ago.

The last-minute decision may be the reason why he wears a bib again.

“(Tony Popovic) had most of the players for two months, or six weeks in the build-up. He had them at the US base,” Speed said.

“Volpato committed to Australia late, had to come via Australia to get to the United States to be a part of that squad at very late notice.

“He hasn’t done the Popovic minutes on the training pitch to be ready for 90 minutes.

“But he is ready for 30-minute cameos and what have you.”

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‘CAN’T IGNORE A CLUB LIKE THAT...’

Bubbling along in the background this World Cup has been links between Socceroos stars and some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

It all kicked off on the eve of the tournament with the revelation that 18-year-old Lucas Herrington had attracted interest from Barcelona, but his club Colorado Rapids rejected the La Liga champions’ initial bid.

Further reports from The Athletic stated that Liverpool have also been keeping an eye on the teenager.

Premier League clubs as well as freshly relegated West Ham are reportedly looking at Nestory Irankunda after his goal against Turkiye.

While Jordan Bos, Mohamed Toure, Patrick Beach and Paul Okon-Engstler have all been named in transfer rumours.

But in recent days, the biggest focus has been on centre back Alessandro Circati.

Earlier in the tournament, the 22-year-old was linked with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, while he had already caught the eye of big Italian clubs when playing for Parma in Serie A.

On Monday, however, social media became awash with Circati rumours as PSG news accounts reported that the two-time reigning Champions League winners were eyeing a move for the Australian.

It was only social media talk, but the fact it came from accounts that are across everything the Parisian giants do got Australian football fans excited.

Former Socceroo urged Australians to pump the brakes, however.

“You have to probably look at going there guaranteed with minutes,” Thompson said on SEN.

“He’s already playing in the Serie A, he’s playing, week in, week out…

“But PSG though, you can’t ignore a club like that that compete in the Champions League, they’re winning titles and that’d be a nice change. Look at the players he’d be playing with, amazing.”

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