Melbourne City prodigy Daniel Arzani has the key ingredient to become a superstar – but he is not there yet, warns the boss of Manchester City’s global football network.
The Iranian-born 19-year-old winger has lit up the A-League this year after bursting off the bench to run at rival defenses and send expectations soaring, Fourfourtwo.com.au reported.
He did not even play a single hour last season, but after just over a dozen starts for City this season (and three more off the bench), he is already being touted as a future star.
He was also under the radar of Iran Team Melli manager Carlos Queiroz; the Portuguese coach has admitted that he and his staff are following Arzani “very closely” as the international tug-of-war for the starlet continues.
The international future of Arzani, who can play for both Australia and Iran, has been the subject of much speculation over the last few months since he burst onto the scene with Melbourne City with a series of eye-catching performances.
Now he has attracted the attention of Melbourne City’s parent company City Football Group and UK-based managing director of City Football Services, Brian Marwood.
“He has an X-Factor,” said Marwood after watching the teenager train at City’s Football Academy complex in Bundoora.
“What he doesn’t have – like most youngsters don’t have – is consistency right now, which you wouldn’t expect at that age because of his lack of opportunities. But he does things on the football pitch that are special, that are game changing moments,” he continued.
“And if he continues to develop and he continues to listen to the right influences around him, I really think he could be a really strong, iconic player for Melbourne City and for the Australian national team for sure .I think he’s very, very special,” Marwood concluded.
Arzani has already been over to Manchester City and trained with the U18s squad two years ago, prompting speculation he could follow in Aaron Mooy’s footsteps to sign for the Sky Blues in the Premier League.
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