Australia Day! Premier League era starting XI of Aussie heroes
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | January 26, 2016
In light of it being Australia Day, Coral football writers have picked a starting XI of current and former internationals from the nation Down Under that have graced the English Premier League over the years…
Formation: 4-1-3-2
Goalkeeper: Mark Schwarzer
Still active in the top flight of English football aged 43 with current leaders Leicester City, Schwarzer has also plied his trade in this division with Fulham, Chelsea and most notably Middlesbrough too.
Right back: Luke Wilkshire
Current Socceroo international Wilkshire played alongside Schwarzer for Boro in the early 2000s, though now turns out for Russian outfit Terek Grozny.
Centre back: Kevin Muscat
If ever a footballer could be described as an animal, English-born Muscat fits the category perfectly. Known for his ferocious tackles and hot temper, Crystal Palace were the team lucky enough to witness his displays in the Premier League.
Centre back: Lucas Neill
There is no doubt that ex-Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Everton star Neill is the best Aussie defender in history, and certainly to have played in the EPL. He finally retired in 2014, with a loan move to Doncaster Rovers his last ever spell as a player.
Left back: Stan Lazaridis
Former West Ham and Birmingham City left-sided star Lazaridis gets in this team just ahead of Danny Tiatto, who played for Manchester City across three divisions, having made far more caps – with 60.
Defence midfield: Mile Jedinak
Midfield destroyer Jedinak may not possess an array of talent, but his work rate and leadership are what landed him captaincies for both Palace and Australia. He has been a big part of the Eagles’ success over the past few seasons, and also lead the Socceroos to the 2015 Asian Cup.
Right wing: Brett Emerton
A Blackburn club hero, creative wideman Emerton played for the club for more than eight years, making just under 300 total appearances for them and earned himself almost 100 caps for his country too.
Attacking midfield: Tim Cahill
Now primarily a striker in his latter years for Australia and Shanghai Shenhua, Cahill was better known as a goalscoring box-to-box midfielder with Everton during is eight-year spell.
Left wing: Harry Kewell
Undoubtedly Australia’s most naturally talented star to have graced the game, Kewell came through Leeds United’s academy and played over 200 times for them. But, it was later with Liverpool where he won senior silverware, including the 2005 Champions League title.
Striker: John Aloisi
Aloisi is more of a cult hero rather than hero for Coventry City from 1998-2001, but still scored one in four games for them and was impressive on the international stage too.
Striker: Mark Viduka
One of the most laid back characters on and off the field, in true Aussie style, Viduka was highly prolific for Leeds and Middlesbrough, though less so for his final club Newcastle United.
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