Aussies In Europe: Half-Time Report

Harry Kewell (Galatasaray, Turkey)

His latest injury worry has in fact been a rare interruption to what has otherwise been a highly successful start to his career in Turkey.

Has helped his side into third place, one point off the league leaders after 16 matches, his six league goals carrying new manager Michael Skibbe out of a difficult start to his Galatasaray stay.

The third-top goal-scorer on the domestic scene, Kewell’s performances in Europe have been similarly impressive, his goal against Greek giants Olympiakos in their opening UEFA Cup group starting their march into the knockout stages.

Something of a controversial figure at Liverpool, the Australian appears to have already endeared himself to the Galatasaray faithful and more importantly, the injury-plagued winger has managed a consistent amount of first-team football that will only benefit his international career.

Mark Viduka (Newcastle United, England)

Walked off during his side’s recent 2-1 loss to Wigan after an apparent muscle strain, to the chants of “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” from the traveling Newcastle supporters.

It was a moment that seems to have crystallized the prevailing attitude towards the Socceroo in the north east, one that suggests undoubted ability but questionable commitment.

Has barely featured under either the now departed Kevin Keegan nor current manager Joe Kinnear, his season ravaged by injury.

His lack of contribution has arrived at a time where the club have been shrouded in uncertainty both on and off the pitch, exacerbating his current predicament.

A contract extension seems unlikely for the former Celtic and Middlesbrough forward and with every passing week without first team football, so do his prospects for a spot on the plane to South Africa in 2010.

Tim Cahill (Everton, England)

Last-minute winners, red cards and broken bones all epitomize what has been another all-action start to the season for effervescent Everton midfielder Tim Cahill.

His explosiveness has served his side equally well in midfield and in a new-found lone striker’s role, which he has filled admirably in recent weeks.

Has contributed goals, assists and his general work ethic and attacking endeavour to David Moyes’ outfit, who have climbed into sixth place as a result.

What has made Cahill’s season unique has been his ability to fill a variety of roles to compensate for injuries to his teammates, having found himself in central midfield, in wide areas, playing in his preferred role just off the striker and playing as a target man himself which will only endear him further to national team manager Pim Verbeek.

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, England)

Seven clean sheets in nineteen matches isn’t a particularly bad record for a side who narrowly avoided relegation last season, thanks largely to their towering Aussie ‘keeper.

Schwarzer is arguably the buy of the English Premier League season and has at times single-handedly lifted his side into ninth place on the table.

Has impressed all season and a string of imperious performances in recent times have started to bring the shot-stopper the praise he deserves, one particular display in his side’s scoreless draw at Anfield making headlines.

Arguably the best goalkeeper in the English Premier League for his sheer consistency and the key role he has played in his team’s rise this season.

When Hodgson’s men haven’t been at their best, they have always been able to rely on their man between the posts.

Lucas Neill (West Ham United, England)

A mixed but ultimately unspectacular season for the West Ham captain, not helped by his demand for a wage rise at a club where he has already been blessed with a healthy pay packet.

Has looked out of place when asked to play at right-back, exposed for a lack of pace and not offering a particular attacking output for his side.

Having said that, he has provided strength in the air and has turned in generally solid performances, though that hasn’t been enough to inspire them out of what seems to be an impending relegation battle.

His long-term future at the club might just have been cast in to serious doubt following his demands for a wage rise, given the club’s financial situation and a potential sale of their biggest stars in January.

Brett Emerton, Vince Grella (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Emerton had been something of a rare commodity for the now departed Paul Ince, providing a fairly consistent output on the right flank and arguably his side’s stand-out performer during a difficult period.

The first half of his Premier League season has been a stark contrast to that of the newly arrived Vince Grella, who has been plagued by injury since his summer move from Serie A side Torino – he has only made 4 appearances so far this season.

The role he plays under new manager Sam Allardyce remains unclear, though the latter’s preference for combative, experienced midfielder’s might encourage the tenacious Australian.

Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy)

Whilst he isn’t a definite starter for Davide Ballardini, is still key to the way his side go about their attacking play.

His season highlight was a reportedly energetic performance during his side’s 3-1 win over AC Milan and whilst the Australian hasn’t necessarily been a constant source of goals or assists, he is clearly still valued by his club.

His form for the national team has been helped by consistent football in one of Europe’s top leagues, a crucial goal against Bahrain suggesting that he hasn’t lost his touch inside the 18-yard box.

Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy)

Has been handed the captain’s armband for the Serie B side, though a run of poor results in recent times has seen them drop into seventh place.

On a personal level, this might be considered something of a breakthrough season for Valeri, who has consequently begun to see more playing time in Pim Verbeek’s Socceroos side.

If he can raise and continue his level of performance, a move to a Serie A club in the near future might not seem such an unrealistic prospect.

Richard Garcia (Hull City, England)

Started the season well, enjoying a first-team role within Phil Brown’s side, even grabbing himself a goal in the process.

Since then, he has rarely earned himself a starting place, instead being utilized as an extremely late substitute during a stunning run of form for the Tigers.

A sharp comparison can be made between his bit-part role this season and the key part he played in his side’s promotion from the Championship.

Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands)

His side haven’t been particularly impressive in either the Champions League or the Eredivisie but Culina has generally filled in ably for Huub Stevens in whatever role has been required of him.

Typically competent but generally unnoticed, his role in Holland mirrors his role for the national team – he remains a crucial but often unheralded player for both club and country.

Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Netherlands)

Often had to be content with an off-the-bench role for Alkmaar this season but should be grateful for whatever first-team role he is given in Louis van Gaal’s side during their so far impressive season, finding themselves in first place on the Eredivisie ladder.

Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland)

His winning goal against Rangers at the Ibrox recently has given his side a healthy lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League ladder and whilst the Socceroo perhaps hasn’t scored with the regularity to which we have become accustomed, his role in Gordon Strachan’s side remains key.

Tends to score the crucial goals for his team and always contributes with his tireless running and impressive hold-up play despite his disadvantage in size.

Has overcome the early-season critics to contribute six goals and seven assists so far this season.

Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland)

Has only recently made his return to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Joshua Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany)

Has enjoyed a decent amount of first-team football this season as his side have hovered just above the Bundesliga relegation zone.

Certainly not out of place in Germany’s top-flight competition but has struggled in front of goal in a side that have generally struggled.

Matthew Spiranovic (FC Nuremberg, Germany)

A season disrupted by injury and has only made eight starts this season, though he seems to be considered a first team starter whenever he has been fit.

Bruce Djite, James Troisi (Genclerbirligi, Turkey)

Troisi will be grateful for whatever first team football has been afforded to him after having gone unused at Newcastle United, whilst the similarly talented Djite has enjoyed an encouraging start to his European career with four goals in his debut season in Turkey.

Though their side appear relegation candidates, the youthful Australian duo have enjoyed considerable success on a personal level this season.

Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey)

The 32 year-old ‘keeper has been extremely solid for Sivvaspor this season and has helped his team into first place on the Turkish Super League table.

Nathan Burns (AEK Athens, Greece)

His first taste of European football has been a rather sour one, having yet to make his competitive debut for the Greek giants and generally struggling even to make their bench.

In truth, appears to have moved to the wrong club at the wrong time, with AEK’s season disrupted by administrative uncertainty and change and poor performances on the pitch.

Nick Carle (Crystal Palace, England)

Has established himself as a key member of the first team under Neil Warnock and has begun to thrive in England’s second-tier competition in an attacking capacity.

Whether that is enough to convince Australia manager Pim Verbeek of his worth remains to be seen.

Mile Sterjovski, Ruben Zadkovich (Derby County, England)

Sterjovski has barely featured this season but Zadkovich has enjoyed sporadic roles within the first-team.

With Paul Jewell now having vacated the manager’s role at Derby, the duo’s future at the club could be cast into some doubt.

David Carney (Sheffield United, England)

Has been frozen out of the first team by Kevin Blackwell and a January move away from Sheffield United seems imminent.

Despite his lack of action, he still delivers for the national team when called upon.

Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England)

Hasn’t exactly been at the heart of his side’s rise to the top of the League One table, having only managed five league appearances during a season disrupted by injury.

Chris Coyne (Colchester United, England)

Has established himself in the Colchester first-team and apparently prolonged a playing career which he was considering calling to an end.

Adam Frederici (Reading, England)

The ‘keeper scored a stunning equalizer recently to cap off what has been a stellar season at Reading, where he has established himself as the first choice shot-stopper as they push for promotion from the Championship.

Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United, England)

Not always a starter but certainly within the first-team plans of now departed manager Gary McAllister.

Trent McClenahan (Hamilton, Scotland)

Whilst his side have struggled after promotion to the Scottish Premier League, McClenahan has built on his role in his country’s Olympic Games campaign by establishing himself in the Hamilton first team.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com