Daniel Arzani has a few words of advice for emerging Socceroos sensation Garang Kuol.Credit:Getty
These days,Arzani is 23,rebuilding his career in the A-League with Macarthur FC after failed stints in Scotland,the Netherlands,Denmark and Belgium,and is on the outside looking in at the national team. Based on the early signs in pre-season,during which he has helped the Bulls reach next weekend’s Australia Cup final at CommBank Stadium against Sydney United 58,he’s still got it – and a strong start to the season might yet get him back in green and gold in time for Qatar.
But for now,he can offer a few sage words of advice for Kuol,18,who is poised to make his international debut on Sunday in Auckland against New Zealand as part of a highly experimental Socceroos team and is on the cusp of signing a lucrative deal with Newcastle United,the rising English Premier League power backed by Saudi petro dollars –one of a number of European clubs interested in signing him.
“It’s very important for him to take the next step in the correct direction,” Arzani said.
“The people around him that are advising him,hopefully will help him do that – his manager,the coaching staff and that around him. My situation was a little bit different:I was already signed to Melbourne City[who are owned by Manchester City],I had a year left on my deal,and I was kind of forced to go ... not that I was forced,but I didn’t really have a choice.
Daniel Arzani hurt his ACL on debut with Celtic while on loan from Manchester City,and his career has been in a tailspin ever since.Credit:PA
“For him,I just think do as much research as you can and look into playing opportunities wherever you’re going to go. That’s the most important thing for young players – to get minutes.”