marcus younis has moved into sharper focus after a strong run for Melbourne City, with Mathew Leckie saying the 20-year-old has the tools to make a late push for a Socceroos World Cup place. The City veteran spoke on Sunday at AAMI Park in Melbourne, where City were aiming to finish as high as third after already sealing a finals berth. The message from within the club was clear: marcus younis has done enough to force a bigger conversation.
Leckie sees a direct, dangerous player
Leckie described Younis as direct, exciting and fast, and said he could see traits of his own younger self in the winger. He said Younis has been important for a City side that went through a spell of struggling to score, adding that the young attacker has “certain weapons” and can “make something happen from nothing. ”
The comparison matters because Leckie was once a young Socceroos wildcard himself. He said Younis is still raw, but backed his ability, strength and power, and said those qualities can go a long way when a player can create a goal or assist from a single moment. In Leckie’s view, marcus younis is already in a strong position for his age.
Numbers that are turning heads
Since joining City on loan from Danish club Brondby in January, Younis has scored eight goals and added three assists in 14 matches across the A-League Men and Asian Champions League. City’s late-season lift has been tied closely to that output, with the club able to finish as high as third if it beats Adelaide at AAMI Park on Sunday.
The form has also sharpened the national-team discussion. Leckie said a young player like Younis could be considered as a “game changer” or someone who can alter a match late. He added that if Younis is any chance, he has already put himself in a position to have the question asked because his numbers since returning have been “really, really good. ”
World Cup talk grows louder
Leckie also pointed to the balance Younis already has, saying the winger has a good mental and physical base and can improve the rest of his game in time. Leckie noted his own path to the Socceroos came at 21, before attending the 2014 World Cup at 23, leaving room for a similar long view on marcus younis.
That does not amount to a guarantee, and Leckie was careful on that point. He said the national-team coaching staff will have their own ideas about the players they want and how they want to play. Even so, he made clear that Younis has done enough to deserve attention, especially with his recent production.
What comes next for City and Younis
City’s immediate focus is Sunday’s match against Adelaide, with a top-three finish still within reach. For Younis, the next stretch is about keeping his output high and showing he can keep deciding games when the pressure rises. If that continues, marcus younis will stay right in the frame as one of the more intriguing attacking options pressing a Socceroos World Cup case.
