Robbie Fowler Names Socceroos Who Could Follow Lucas Herrington to the Premier League

Robbie Fowler left the A-League more than six years ago, but he's still one of its loudest fans. The former Liverpool striker keeps tabs on Australian players wherever they end up, and he's not shy about who he thinks will make it big in England.

His connection runs deep. Fowler played for North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory, then took charge of Brisbane Roar. Across 22 matches and roughly 14 months, from April 2019 to the end of June 2020, he coached a squad that included a 13-year-old Lucas Herrington in the club's academy. Fowler doesn't remember much about those early days with the teenager. He remembers him now, though, and he likes what he sees.

Herrington is already settling in

Herrington is the headline name. The Socceroos defender is now at Hull, and Fowler is struck by how composed he looks at such a young age. "You know what, I really like the kid and the composure he shows at such a young age," Fowler told Football360. "He's already accomplished a lot, having done so well at the World Cup and now looking so at home in the Premier League."

Fowler knows something about early breakthroughs. He made his way through the Anfield ranks and was out of the youth set-up and into the Liverpool first team at just 18. Across two spells, he scored 183 goals for the club and earned the nickname God from the Kop. He's not surprised when a young player handles the pressure well.

"He's a very calm and clever player, who has obviously worked exceptionally hard to get to where he is," Fowler said. "You look at him and you come to the conclusion the Socceroos are in good hands defensively looking to the future."

Alex Robertson could be a fixture for a decade

Fowler's second name is Alex Robertson, the 23-year-old Cardiff City midfielder. Robertson missed Australia's most recent squad for what the camp described as "personal reasons," but Fowler sees a player who could anchor the national team for the next ten years.

"I've watched a fair bit of Alex, even when he was at Portsmouth, and he's got a lot of aspects to his game I really like," Fowler said. "There's that song 'The Kids Are Alright' by The Who, and Alex fits right into that category."

Robertson's path has been unconventional. He spent loan spells away from Manchester City at Ross County and Pompey before settling into a bigger role. Fowler reads that journey as a sign of resilience rather than a detour. "When I look at players like him, right there you see the future of Australian football," he said.

Riley McGree is ready for more

Riley McGree is the one Fowler believes is closest to the Premier League already. The 28-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder came within one result of getting there last season, since Boro lost to Hull in the Championship play-off final. Fowler thinks that disappointment won't last long.

"He's one of those lads who can break up play at one end and score wonderful goals at the other," Fowler said. "He gets about the pitch really well, has really good technique, and plays with a lot of intelligence."

Boro sat second in the Championship after 15 games, and McGree has been central to that form. Fowler points to his consistency as the reason he keeps getting linked with bigger clubs. "He creates chances consistently and looks the part every time I see him play," he said. "Even if Middlesbrough don't come up, I'm sure he'll be linked with some moves to the Premier League because of his ability."

McGree's season has also had setbacks. A hamstring injury ruled him out of the World Cup, and Fowler believes Australia felt that absence. "He's another big asset for Australia and I think they missed him at the World Cup," he said.

Mohamed Toure's numbers stand out

Fowler admits he only caught glimpses of Mohamed Toure at Norwich before the shoulder injury that sidelined the 22-year-old striker. That hasn't stopped him from admiring what he's seen. Toure scored six goals in nine appearances before the injury, and Fowler calls that ratio very impressive.

"He's got pace and very good positional sense, and that's so important for a modern-day striker," Fowler said. "He's so quick out of the traps, defenders are never comfortable with that and it makes him very dangerous."

Fowler also remembers Toure's debut for Adelaide at just 15. "I remember taking note back then and thinking to myself, 'this kid could be an absolute star,'" he said. Toure is expected back in the New Year, and Fowler wants him to pick up where he left off. He sees Toure as proof that the A-League can still produce strikers with the hunger to push on overseas.

Scotland and beyond

Fowler's attention also drifts north. Dundee United's Zac Sapsford has been scoring in big games against Celtic and Rangers, and many believe he deserved a first Socceroos call-up this month. Since joining from Western Sydney Wanderers in 2025, the 24-year-old has scored 17 goals and provided five assists in 58 games.

"I've seen him a few times scoring a few winners, and the kid has been doing really well," Fowler said. "He's relatively tall, not afraid to put in a shift, and his goals-per-game ratio, six in 15 this season, is pretty decent."

Fowler also points to Cameron Devlin at Rangers as a player worth watching. "People say the Scottish League is a bit kick and rush if you like, but there is quality up there," he said. "He's a diminutive player who really puts himself about. He's got that combative nature, and I really liked him even way back when he was at Wellington Phoenix."

Kye Rowles has slipped down the Socceroos pecking order, but Fowler still rates him. Rowles came through at Brisbane Roar, played for Hearts, and now plays for DC United in MLS. "When he was at Central Coast he was another player I really liked at the time," Fowler said. "He looked really classy and was very good at playing out from the back and starting attacks."

A small part in some big careers

Fowler is also proud of his role at Brisbane. He had a hand in the development of Aiden O'Neill, who arrived from Burnley and went on to earn Socceroos honours. Fowler is careful not to overstate it. "I'm not saying I made him the player he turned out to be, but I think we helped him progress and add to his game," he said.

"He's a good midfielder. He's classy and could move well with a ball, but could also put in a tackle as well," Fowler said. He also gave Kai Trewin his debut back in 2020. Trewin later became a Socceroos World Cup defender and now plays for New York City FC.

Fowler's view on talent is simple, and it's probably why his list keeps growing. "I've always believed if you're good enough you can play, no matter what your age," he said.

The names on his list are worth watching over the next season. Herrington has already made the step, and Robertson, McGree and Toure are close behind. If Fowler's track record as a judge of young players holds, the Premier League may soon have a few more Socceroos to talk about.