Mark Schwarzer has been reviewing the career of Leeds United great Mark Viduka, and broadcaster Jeff Stelling has responded by stating that Leeds supporters will “go crazy” with the former goalkeeper’s opinion.
In the summer of 2000, David O’Leary persuaded Leeds to spend £6 million on Viduka after he scored 35 goals in 48 games for Celtic. He spent the next four years at Elland Road, becoming an icon.
From 2000 until 2004, Viduka scored 72 goals in 166 games for The Whites, cementing his place in Leeds legend. Like a four-goal performance against Liverpool, when Leeds came from behind to win 4-3.
Or, a victory over Arsenal, which made Leeds the last team to defeat Arsene Wenger’s side before embarking on their Invincibles reign. However, his Australian teammate Mark Schwarzer has now made an allegation concerning his career.
Schwarzer says that Leeds star Viduka never reached his full potential at Elland Road, prompting Jeff Stelling to respond. Stelling expected that Schwarzer’s remark would “crazy” Leeds fans.
Stelling answers as Schwarzer makes the Leeds assertion regarding Viduka.
Viduka got 43 caps for Australia, playing for Middlesbrough and Newcastle after leaving Leeds in 2004. He once claimed he had the opportunity to join Milan for £38 million from Leeds.
Instead, he concluded his career in the northeast and now resides in Croatia. Schwarzer said on Stelling’s Footballers Greatest podcast that Viduka could and should have played for one of Europe’s top teams.
“I don’t believe he realized his potential. “He never played for a major club,” Schwarzer stated. Stelling responded, “Leeds supporters are going to go crazy now. “What do you mean?”
Schwarzer added, “One of the truly enormous European big hitters. Real Madrid and Barcelona. He could have easily played on one of those teams. That’s how good he was—he had everything. Incredible.”
What Thierry Henry recently said about Leeds legend Viduka.
In an examination of Erling Haaland, son of former Leeds player Alf Inge Haaland and boring in Yorkshire, Henry stated that the Norwegian and Manchester City star struggled to hold the ball aloft in a game against Real Madrid.
The Frenchman claimed Viduka’s ability to use his strength to shield from defenders was no match for Viduka, Didier Drogba, or Alan Shearer, implying Viduka outperformed Haaland in one area.
Regarding Haaland, Henry stated, “I wasn’t a Drogba, Viduka, or Shearer.” I don’t think he’s the type of player who will go out and play like that, but at the very least, you need to be able to manage the ball.”