Brett Emerton life and biography

Brett Michael Emerton (born 22 February 1979 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian footballer who is currently playing for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League and the Australia national football team.

The phenomenally fit wide player has cemented himself as a first choice member of Pim Verbeek's Australia team, be it as a wing back or in the midfield. The Blackburn stalwart provides an unmatched physical presence on the pitch, combining size, pace and strength with unwavering energy levels and underrated technique. Having made his debut as a youngster, he is one of the highest-capped Socceroos and could conceivably amass the most appearances before retirement.

Emerton launched himself on the path to success by transferring from Sydney Olympic to Dutch giants Feyenoord in 2000, after captaining the Olyroos at the Sydney Olympics. After three seasons in the Netherlands he secured a dream move to the Premier League, joining Blackburn for £2.2 million, the club he has been loyal to ever since. A swashbuckling right winger in his younger days, Emerton has been used in various midfield slots and more defensive roles as his career has developed. Australia's 2006 World Cup mentor Guus Hiddink saw Emerton's fitness and power as valuable assets, and converted him to a full back with a license to burst forward when the opportunity arose.

Post Germany 2006 has seen Emerton revert back to a more attacking role for Australia, partly due to Luke Wilkshire's growth into the right back position and also because of the Socceroos' struggling final third. Emerton's first instinct is to drive at the opposition and make something happen, which draws the occasional groan from Australian supporters if he loses the ball or ignores an easier option. But the flyer is most notable when he is absent, such as in Australia's round of 16 exit at the hands of Italy, when the fateful last-ditch raid by the Italians down the right flank of Emerton - who was suspended - led to the deciding penalty that sent Australia packing.

Strengths: A physical dynamo, Emerton is the prototype of a modern footballer. Combining fitness with finesse, the winger also has a bag of tricks and can chip in with the odd goal.
Weaknesses: Can try too hard on the ball and give away possession cheaply. Is subject to yellow cards when he over-imposes himself, which was costly at Germany 2006.

Style: Explosive, relentless, direct, imposing.

Career high: After securing a dream move to the Premier League with Blackburn, Emerton scored on debut in a 5-1 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2003.
Career low: Emerton suffered a serious knee injury in January 2009, keeping him sidelined for around nine months. The silver lining was that it gave Emerton his first real rest in years ahead of South Africa 2010.

Quotes: "It's taken a lot of hard work, but I'm at the stage now where I'm starting to get more involved. I'd never had a long-term injury before, and it had an impact on me." Brett Emerton, July 2009.

Trivia: Emerton is one of the fittest athletes in Australia. During the lead-up to the 2006 World Cup, he registered an astonishing score of 15 on the beep test.

Soccernet says: Emerton's lung-busting runs forward and back have the potential to give Australia an edge in the tactical World Cup climate, particularly if the Socceroos play at altitude.

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