Socceroos striker Mitch Duke concedes he’s torn on where his club future lies as he weighs up his lack of game time against the chance to fight for the Japanese title.
The 33-year-old forward won promotion to Japan’s top-flight J1 League last year, but his club side Machida Zelvia have taken little time to adjust and sit in top spot through the opening 17 games.
Duke has had to contend with limited cameos from the bench, but he has registered four goals over the past month to underline his value.
But even if he has stood up when called upon, the 37-cap Australian international feels he can offer more.
“I think with my competitiveness, it's definitely starting to come through where I'm going to have to make a big decision coming into this transfer window,” Duke said from Socceroos camp in Thailand on Monday.
“I've had some conversations with my club, so I guess we'll see what goes on from there.
“But for me, I'm just focusing on trying to take my chances when I get them, and the last month has been really good.
“I've hit some goal-scoring form and the club's really happy with what I'm doing.
“I guess we'll see what happens with more playing minutes. If not, then Japan's (transfer) window opens up in July, and I'll have to make a big decision.”
Duke had been one of Graham Arnold’s most trusted players during his six-year tenure at the helm of the national team.
But unlike years gone by, a new crop of attacking players are beginning to emerge and they are set to test Duke’s hold on the mantle of being Australia’s main man.
Kusini Yengi won promotion to the English Championship with Portsmouth this season, Adam Taggart has rediscovered top form in the A-League Men with Perth Glory, and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Newcastle Jets.
It gives Duke greater competition to ensure he makes the right move in his career, with Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Dhaka a perfect chance to show Arnold why he can continue to offer a point of difference.
“It’s great to see how many strikers we have at our disposal,” Duke said.
“I love that competition, I welcome it, and it’ll be interesting to see who can put their hand up and show themselves in training.
“That’s where we will get to see who gets selected for the Bangladesh game and the Palestine game (in Perth on June 11).”
