BRUCE Djite may be part of the Socceroos support act but one of his Adelaide United teammates has no doubt he is destined for star billing under Pim Verbeek.
To see the Socceroos in training for the Singapore match...
The United forward is part of a largely A-League squad that will face Singapore in the friendly ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with China.
A good showing could catapult several Australian-based players into the reckoning for the Kunming clash but regardless of whether Djite makes it this time, it won’t be long before he’s in the mix.
Hindmarsh colleague Diego told au.fourfourtwo.com: “There’s a lot of attention and a buzz around Bruce. The Chinese coach (of Chanchung Yatai) picked him out as a player that could cause them problems the other night.
“I think Viddie has said how he has seen Bruce develop in the time that he’s been here at the club and I think that’s absolutely right.
“Bruce has grown into a very good footballer. When he first got here you could see he had talented but maybe there were certain things that were a bit rusty and needed sharpening up. He’s worked hard and I think you see a player who just continues to get better and better day by day.
“The kid has a lot going for him. I’ll be cheering him on against Singapore and I’ve no doubt he has a great future ahead of him for Australia.”
Diego, who was born in Brazil but played much of his football in the USA after moving there as a 10-year-old, is aware Djite could also have played for America.
He joked: “Yeah, it’s all power to the Aussies for getting him. There’s nothing the USA can do about it now.”
Diego hopes more A-League players, including fellow Adelaide man Nathan Burns, can push open the international door under Verbeek.
He said: “If you have guys coming through to play in big games then that only has to be good for the A-League. It shows players are developing and also makes it attractive for players who might be thinking about coming to Australia.”
To see the Socceroos in training for the Singapore match...
The United forward is part of a largely A-League squad that will face Singapore in the friendly ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with China.
A good showing could catapult several Australian-based players into the reckoning for the Kunming clash but regardless of whether Djite makes it this time, it won’t be long before he’s in the mix.
Hindmarsh colleague Diego told au.fourfourtwo.com: “There’s a lot of attention and a buzz around Bruce. The Chinese coach (of Chanchung Yatai) picked him out as a player that could cause them problems the other night.
“I think Viddie has said how he has seen Bruce develop in the time that he’s been here at the club and I think that’s absolutely right.
“Bruce has grown into a very good footballer. When he first got here you could see he had talented but maybe there were certain things that were a bit rusty and needed sharpening up. He’s worked hard and I think you see a player who just continues to get better and better day by day.
“The kid has a lot going for him. I’ll be cheering him on against Singapore and I’ve no doubt he has a great future ahead of him for Australia.”
Diego, who was born in Brazil but played much of his football in the USA after moving there as a 10-year-old, is aware Djite could also have played for America.
He joked: “Yeah, it’s all power to the Aussies for getting him. There’s nothing the USA can do about it now.”
Diego hopes more A-League players, including fellow Adelaide man Nathan Burns, can push open the international door under Verbeek.
He said: “If you have guys coming through to play in big games then that only has to be good for the A-League. It shows players are developing and also makes it attractive for players who might be thinking about coming to Australia.”
To see the Socceroos in training for the Singapore match...
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