Wow from being rejected by Wanderers to being headhunted by Roma. That pretty much sums up the state of our talent identification. Hopefully the guy at Wanderers gets the sack but this feels like a systemic issue. 

Incredible really. Mourinho of all coaches would know if this player has real potential- otherwise why would you even have him in squad??!!

Looking forward to possibly seeing Volpato and Kuol leading Socceroos up front some day 🤞

No excuses now Arnie, cap him next game⚠

Yep. That being said, I can't help but doubt this oversight would've happened were Popa still WSW coach.

Yes it would. Popa didn't cap many youth players at WSW. 

And it's a bit rich to say Volpato was headhunted by Roma. The kid went over to Italy after leaving the Wanderers Academy (just like Najjarine and Silvera), trialled in Europe and got a contract as did the other 2. 

Until last season most A-League Academy players did not get first team contracts at any A-League clubs, and were not playing. And of course there were exceptions like Keanu Baccus, Atkinson, Metcalfe

He didn't leave the WSW academy, he didn't get re-signed, so effectively dropped. I'd say it's a case of being a late developer - may not looked the goods as a 15 yr old, but now that he's 18, 6 2, fast, skilful etc etc. I may be wrong & the WSW coaches are just Muppets! 

What an absolute embarrassment for our talent identification in Australia. This is actually quite shocking and our football media should be asking some pointed questions.

Credit to the young lad for not giving up and pursuing his dream. Clearly had the talent and like many kids overlooked here. Lesson to be learnt never give up because some so called academy coach doesn't believe in you. Wish him all the best.

I posted a few days in the AA2 thread stating he should be called up and started next international only for certain muppets on this site to shoot me down that he’s not worthy/ready. Jose Mourinho obviously disagrees. Peasants.

Yep 👍 The biggest muppet will be Arnold if he doesn’t offer him a cap asap!

Not that it's a big mystery or anything, bc unless you can afford the astronomical rego-fees and are fast, tall and more durable than a brick sh1thouse at age 15, you're not gonna get a look-in...perish the thought that a more technically/tactically-astute, economically-disadvantaged kid of the same age be prioritised💡

What's interesting is hes the first Aussie to play in the Serie A since Trent Sainsbury single appearance for Inter Milan a few years ago, although hes very young this is a promising sign for him.
The intrigue is will he continue to get chances at Roma whom are under pressure with Mourinho in charge, if he does and makes an impression at this level then we could be in for a winner with this kid and would be naive for Arnie and the Socceroos coaches to not bring him in at least for a train-on appearance if not be a surprise shock to make the squad.

But he still has a long way to go, so let's not pump the tyres this soon but a very promising at the same time.

Talent ID isnt perfect not just in football but all of sports, however there is room to learn and improve any pathway or talent ID system.

Talent ID is having the ability to not just find early developers but also find players that develop later too, and this is quite hard because players develop in different rates and sometimes we dont know how they will go regardless if they in the net or not, so hopefully people are not too down on this because this happens in elite sport almost all the time.

Its good the FA are on him so hopefully he doesnt feel turned off in representing us if hes good enough to make that step up one day.

The issue here with Volpato's case was he got rejected by both Sydney FC and WSW's academy and where else will the player go apart from making the drop down to the NPL? The lack of player professional opportunities (and lack of enough games too) is a thorn in Oz player development.

no. wrong. talent id is not the problem. he was player of the tournament at a national carnival - was in the systems at both sydney fc and wsw - talent id was/is not the issue. well done to roma for getting the best out of him though - real questions need to be asked as to whether academies and youth setups in australia get the best out of players. the answer is no - not enough quality training/games. 

Interesting reading when searching his name on Facebook. His academy and coaches feel a lot of vindication today.

Good hopefully gets some more minutes becuz we are rubbish atm need new top level talent 

LOL don’t cream your pants Mr Football Guru. How cheap is a Socceroos cap these days?

If the football landscape was based on 5 minute cameos by teenagers across Europe… things would be very different. Pretty much sums up your naive outlook on football. 

You would’ve been happy to give out cheap caps to George Timotheou, Chris Herd and Kaz Patafta?

Considering none of our starting players are actually getting minutes at a higher level than Volpato an argument can be made a Socceroo cap is cheapened by selecting others first **cough Nabbout cough**. And I take Jose Mourinho’s judgement over yours, random internet guy.

Last time I checked Jose Mourinho is the club manager, there was nothing to lose for him by bringing a promising academy player for five minutes when losing 0-3 to a rival club.

Socceroos are third in the WCQ group phase, there's no room for complacency. Every remaining game is crucial. Now you're up calling this teenager because Mourinho gave him a cameo off the bench and based on some academy football highlights you watched on Youtube. 

Again, what happened to George Timotheou etc? Don't cream your pants. 

Bet you’re creaming your pants every time you insult somebody on here

Considering his old man stumped up to have him at a private academy and then to send him to Italy for trials with Totti as a manager no less, I wouldn't have thought he was economically disadvantaged.....,, Your point still stands though 

I think he is lost to us.... reading between the lines, he may never make Azzuri senior squad, but I think he will die trying. Good luck to the lad, it will be sad to have two  Christian Vieris slip through our fingers in less than 30 years but, eh, that's soccer.

Arzani is back from his red card suspension. He might get 30 minutes on the pitch and get a few shots on goal, don't worry you won't miss out.

Let’s just thank god that the TWG website wasn’t around to report on Volpato’s debut because they’d be running 20 stories a day about what he ate for breakfast and what his Spotify 2021 wrap was. 

Arzani started actually

That’s right, he’s an extremely high profile manager at a traditionally big club in one of the best leagues in a match against one of their rivals and similar stature. But yes you’re right there’s no way this kid is ready to face Vietnam or Oman….

Brilliant post Dan 👍

I'm pretty sure it would.

Poppa rejected Australia's best player in the last 10 years, one Aaaron Mooy...

Again, would you’ve thrown out cheap Socceroos caps for  George Timotheou and Chris Herd in must win WCQ?

It’s one thing to come off the bench for a few minutes in a club game three goals behind. It’s completely different to travelling half way across the world in a matter of days to play in a must win WCQ game.

LOL stop acting like you’ve known this kid all these years. Did you scout him on Instagram?