Jeggo ponders next big move with Socceroos hopes in the balance

Australian midfielder James Jeggo may not yet feature on the wanted list of Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk, but his services are being coveted elsewhere with teams from Europe’s four leading leagues showing strong interest.

There is also the option for the off-contract 26-year-old to re-sign with his high-flying Austrian club Sturm Graz on a multi-year deal, as his career reaches a crucial crossroads.

With 30 games under his belt in all competitions for second placed Sturm this season, Jeggo knows his next move, if there is to be one, could be the most important of his career.

“The next decision is a big one for me and it’s a tough one,” he said. “I’m at that age now. I have an offer from Graz, and it’s somewhere I’m very happy.

“I’ve thought long and hard about staying and that may still be the case.

“But there are other opportunities that are happening at the moment, and a few things I’m working through.

“It’s like when I left Adelaide to come to Europe ... it’s about making a step that’s going to help me improve as a footballer as I come into my peak years.

“If I do leave I will make sure it’s not a sideways step and I’d be hopeful of things being sorted out one way or another within the next few weeks.

“While the standard is excellent in Austria if the opportunity came up to go and test myself in a higher league, it’s something I’d owe to myself to do.”

Dual nationality Jeggo also holds a UK passport with most of his relatives, other than his parents, residing there.

And it’s one place he’d like to experience during the course of his career.

Having been a regular Socceroos squad member under Ange Postecoglou, the uncapped Jeggo missed out on van Marwijk’s maiden squad for last month’s friendlies against Norway and Colombia and his 2018 FIFA World Cup hopes are in the balance.

Disappointed to be left out, he said: “Under a new gaffer things always change. There would have been a lot of players disappointed to have missed out and there’s a lot of competition for spots.

“Everybody wants to be there and all you can do is perform at club level and hope the people are watching and take notice.

“The Austrian league is a very strong competition and there are now extra European spots to back that up.

“I’ve had two successful years here they have coincided with two of the best years the club has had in its history.

“We have a cup semi-final coming up and there’s a lot to still play for including a UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.

“But with the Socceroos you can never take anything for granted. Right now I have no idea how close or far away I am from selection (for the World Cup).”