A long phone call with Tanya Oxtoby would be Craig Foster’s first move if he was in charge of the Matildas.
Oxtoby is the lesser known half of the Perth connection in Chelsea’s Women’s Super League title-winning team.
The other half, of course, is superstar striker Sam Kerr, whose spectacular brace sealed the league title for Chelsea this week in a dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Manchester United on the final day of the season.
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https://twitter.com/toxtoby/status/1523394452072525824?s=20&t=pbag3h0FsR0o6prTzrrthw
Oxtoby, meanwhile, is the club’s assistant coach after rising through the ranks of the England football system.
After lauding Kerr’s phenomenal achievements on Stan Sport FC, former Socceroos captain Foster said the focus now turned to how the Matildas can get the best out of her at international level.
The Matildas flopped out of the Asian Cup in February before morale-boosting wins over New Zealand in April.
Craig Foster, Mark Bosnich and Vince Rugari discuss the epic title race in Serie A and the success of Australians Ange Postecoglou, Sam Kerr, Joe Montemurro and Denis Genreau in Europe this season
“The question is always about how she transfers this form into the national team and that’s not always easy,” Foster said.
“Different styles, different coaching, different teammates. He’s (Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson) got to speak to Tanya Oxtoby and (Chelsea coach) Emma Hayes and analyse the way they’re playing.
“Quite honestly, if you’re planning the Matildas’ system of play now, the first thing that you would have to be doing is looking at how that team is using Sam.
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“That’s the second year in a row that she’s the top player (in England) and third in the women’s Ballon d’Or. That’s been effective.
“Of course it’s different players, we get that, but still, she’s comfortable in the system, she’s able to find the freedom she needs, she’s a serial goal scorer and she’s winning all the awards.
“So the question is what is it that’s happening there that can be translated? I’m sure they would have had that discussion.”
