When preparing his first Socceroo squad over a year ago, the blunt Verbeek claimed it was better for his players to be training at a European club rather than playing in the A-League.

Rightly or wrongly, the comment ruffled many feathers. Verbeek you'd imagine would point to his excellent stewardship of the Socceroos World Cup campaign as proof he was spot on with that view.

The problem was, he said it publicly.

Yesterday, Verbeek said publicly that he had "better" options in the centre of the Socceroo defence and so dismissed the idea of bringing in Milicevic to the national squad during June's three World Cup qualifers.

When pressed as to why, the Socceroos coach said: "I have very good central defenders and I don't think he (Milicevic) is better."

Better? Or is Verbeek worried about the former Socceroo's feisty reputation as a man who in his own words, "Keeps it real", which is a Ljuboism for being an honest, straightshooter. Just like Pim.

On the back of a highly impressive ACL campaign from the 28-year-old defender, Jets coach Gary Van Egmond has already stated he believes the national team should bring the player into camp.

But that doesn't matter. The Jets supremo may have a Dutch name but the only Dutchman that matters is one from Rotterdam called Pim.

It does seem unusual though that the wily Verbeek, who has stated he will pick a large squad ahead of the three games in June, would paint himself into a corner on Milicevic.

Surely the smarter move would've been to keep all options open? After all, the Bahrain and Japan games are likely dead rubbers. And Milicevic only turned 28 a few months ago, so he's clearly got another four years in him at that level.

With a large squad, calling in the former FC Thun defender would've allowed Verbeek the opportunity to assess him first hand without the pressure to even pick him.

And the "better" comment does need some scrutiny. Do we have any central defenders right now with a real ability to play the ball out of defence? To intelligently set up play from deep and to even provide the trump card of an extra attacking option. Isn't versatility prized in the Dutch system?

Michael Beauchamp would've been disappointed with his performance against Uzbekistan and Craig Moore is not getting any younger. Chris Coyne is already into his 30s as is Lucas Neill.

Surely some future options could be kept open? A Spiranovic/Milicevic combination could be an option for the Brazil 2014 campaign - particularly as it's likely the Jets man is a sure bet to return to Europe over the next year.

Milicevic, who is preparing for the vital ACL game in South Korea next week, refused to be drawn on the issue other than to say, "Pim and I obviously have differing philosophies on football ... and hairdressing."

Jokes aside, Verbeek has a clear way on how he wants to play and the type of players who fit into that system. And it's working and we should be grateful. Verbeek has been a master of points accumulation across Asia - even if at times we've rode our luck.

But when a country like Australia can also produce players of highly technical ability such as Nicky Carle (currently in Sydney) and Milicevic - players who have or are playing in Europe - and they're considered squares in round holes, it does send out a mixed signal.

The future, according to the national development plan, is about raising the individual technical level of the game in this country. And rightly so. Just don't expect them to be picked in the national team on a regular basis.

The sad thing is, with players like Milicevic and Carle in the side, the Socceroos could take their game to another level while still playing the Pim way.