We asked Jets defender Daniel Mullen to give us his best side and subs from the players he’s played with and against. Daniel’s has lined up alongside and against some of the all-time and modern day greats of the game!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DANIEL’S ‘PERFECT XI’ IN IMAGES
Goalkeeper: Eugene Galekovic
I loved playing with Eugene at Adelaide United. He has everything – he’s good with his feet, a great shot-stopper, and is a leader. I always felt safe with Eugene behind me.
Right full back: Cha Du-ri
I played against former Korea Republic international Cha Du-ri in the 2014 AFC Champions League semi-finals. He was an absolute animal! Quick, fit, and technically quality. He has had a great career playing in Germany and Scotland, as well as his homeland.
Centre back: Craig Moore
I played alongside Craig in my Socceroos debut, and of course against him in the Hyundai A-League. He was a real leader and great on the ball. He could also read the game magnificently.
Centre back: Matthieu Delpierre
Matthieu is someone I played against in the Hyundai A-League while he was at Melbourne Victory. He is class in every way. Great on the ball, a top reader of the game, quick, and has experience at the highest level. On and off the pitch Matthieu was also an utter gentleman.
Left full back: Cassio
When I was playing in China I met some Brazilian players who asked me about Cassio. They said he was very well recognised in Brazil, which speaks volumes about him! He was quality at Adelaide United for a long time and a pleasure to play with. He is also a great friend of mine as well.
Central Midfield: Fabio Rochemback
When I was a boy Fabio Rochemback was one of my idols because he was playing for Middlesbrough in England, where my family is from. I was lucky to get to play with him at Dalian Aerbin in China and he is probably the hardest working player I have ever played with. He is also technically unbelievable.
Central Midfield: Dario Conca
I have played against Dario Conca a number of times in the AFC Champions League and Chinese Super League and he has one of the best left foots I have seen. He is unbelievably creative and when he’s on-song he is ridiculously tough to stop!
Right Midfield: Muriqui
I played against Muriqui in the Chinese Super League when I was with Dalian Aerbin and he was with Guangzhou Evergrande. He was lightning quick and was a crucial member of the Guangzhou team at the time. Muriqui always seemed to score or create goals.
Left Midfield: Douglas Costa
I played against Douglas Costa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt and remember that he was ridiculously skilful. He had a carefree way of playing and wasn’t scared to make mistakes. The fact he’s now at Bayern Munich says it all.
Striker: Alessandro Del Piero
In my younger years when I played up front Alessandro Del Piero was my idol. Even at the age of 37 or 38 when he was with Sydney FC you could still tell that he was class. It was a privilege to be able to play against him.
Striker: Rivaldo
Rivaldo was at Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan, so I got to play against him in the AFC Champions League home and away. He was getting older then but was still one of the best players that I have played against. A FIFA World Cup winner, he is still one of the best players to have played the game.
Substitute: Peter Utaka
What a player! I was with him at Dalian Aerbin, and he never lost the ball, even as a lone striker. He was lightning quick, strong, and one of the smartest footballers I have ever played with. A clinical finisher who is now doing the business in the J.League.
Substitute: Guillaume Hoarau
Guillaume is another player I played with in China. He is a striker who represented the French National Team. He is very tall, and a good target man. He was great in the air and is currently with Young Boys in Switzerland.
Substitute: Alex Teixeira
Alex is a Razzler! I played against him in Egypt at the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup. He was a similar mould as Douglas Costa – he wasn’t afraid to make mistakes, was quick and sharp.
Substitute: Shinji Ono
I played with Shinji in both the Hyundai A-League and AFC Champions League. He has amazing balance, composure, and technical ability. He is also an absolute gentleman on and off the pitch.
Substitute: Esteban Alvarado (Gk)
Aside from having really nice hair at the time, Esteban was very agile and a good shot-stopper. He’s now in Turkey, but is a Costa Rican goalkeeper who I played against at the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt. Esteban won the Golden Glove at the tournament for the best goalkeeper in the competition.
Coach: Ange Postecoglou
I played under Ange at Melbourne Victory when I was on loan from Dalian Aerbin. Tactically I learnt the most from Ange, even though I was only there for three months. My only regret was that I didn’t get to learn from him for longer.
