08 May A-League “slows certain players’ development”: Schwarzer

Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer has urged fledgling young Australian players to take the leap and strive to play in Europe to maximise their development.

Of the preliminary World Cup squad of 32 announced by coach Bert van Marwijk yesterday, 23 have played in the A-League at some stage with five currently plying their trade in the national competition.

While the former Middlesbrough, Fulham and Chelsea goalkeeper believes the A-League is a good stepping stone, for the sake of the national team, more players need to be playing in Europe to fully reach their potential.

“What I’ve said in the past is despite the emergence of the A-League, the improvement of the competition, the raising of the type and the level of football that is played, I think it slows certain players' development,” Schwarzer told SEN Breakfast.

“Players are more enticed to stay in Australia. I fully understand the opportunity to stay in Australia and play where you grew up.

“It’s a fantastic country to play in and play at a good level and be paid well. But you’re less likely to make that next jump.

“I always think for the national team and for the development of players, the only way you can do that is testing yourself weekin week out at the highest level.

“Yes I think it’s great that the A-League provides a stepping stone, but I think there’s a point where you have got to take that jump.

“The level of competition in Asia, albeit it is improving, is still not the same as Europe.

“We need to try and encourage players to test themselves at the highest possible level and to me that only entails Europe.”

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Source: SEN Football