By Jullian Sardana (@JullianSardana)
Melbourne City full-back Callum Talbot is keenly awaiting his first taste of the Melbourne derby on Saturday night.
Potentially going up against Melbourne Victory marquee Luis Nani will be the biggest test of his fledgling City career so far, but Talbot and his side are looking to stamp their authority on the City.
“I’ve spoken to some of the boys about this weekend and just asked how the derbies are. They just said it’s the same as what you’d expect in Sydney derbies, but if not more.
“I’m just buzzing. I really want to get out there and show that Melbourne City is the best club in Melbourne and I really want to get one over them.”
Having already played in two high-stakes Sydney Derbies last season, the 21 year-old is no stranger to the big games despite only being in his third season of professional football.
Born in Malta, he grew up in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney. Talbot started his youth football at Gymea United, before moving to the Sutherland Sharks at the age of 12. After spending three years with the Sharks, Sydney FC came calling, and it was that moment where Callum’s football career truly took off.
“When I first got the call to join the [Sydney FC] Academy, I was ecstatic, it was unbelievable,” Talbot said.
“Kelly Cross (Sydney FC Technical Director of Youth) used to come and watch games throughout the year when I was at the Sutherland Sharks. He’d invite you to come straight into the academy.”
The academy graduate joined the Sydney FC first team aged 18, making his A-League debut the same year against Macarthur FC in January 2021. Last season is where Talbot truly made a name for himself, becoming a regular in the Sydney FC first team playing in 22 games across all competitions.
After Nathaniel Atkinson’s move to Hearts in Scotland, Melbourne City brought their attention to Talbot’s situation in Sydney.
“I wasn’t actually playing with the first team in Sydney when Melbourne City contacted. They contacted pretty early to get me in and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity they gave me.
“When they brought up this opportunity for me, I just thought a fresh start to prove myself in front of the coaches at Melbourne City and may as well grab it with both hands.
“[Melbourne City] had the full backing in me and told me if I was to perform well in training, I would deserve a place in the team and if I was to play well then I would cement that spot.”
Although moving to Melbourne had its pros, Talbot expressed the difficulties of leaving his friends and family in Sydney.
“I got a really close friend group and family and to leave them was a big move.”
After his move to Melbourne City was confirmed in May, Talbot endured a long pre-season while getting to know his new coaches and teammates which included Jordan Bos and Marco Tilio who he played with in the Under 20 Australian National team.
“It’s been pretty easy to be fair, I felt like I’ve been a part of this team for years.
“I just slotted straight into the team and the boys have been unreal. They’ve basically taken me under their wing and it was a really smooth transition.”
“The coach PK (Patrick Kisnorbo) has really helped me on things that I really need to improve on.
“Everyone’s been really welcoming and I feel it’s made it easier for me to move away from family and friends to Melbourne because the boys have just been second to none.”
Since the A-League kicked off after its long-awaited return, Talbot has hit the ground running playing every minute of City’s first two games against Western United and Brisbane Roar, where he won a penalty against Brisbane to secure City’s second goal of the game.
Melbourne City are currently sitting at the top of the table, only conceding one goal after two games. Although it’s still early days after winning the first two games of the season, Talbot is looking ahead to the season, aiming to help City as much as he can while morale is high.
“Obviously everyone’s in positive moods, but it’s only the first two games. We’ve got a big game this weekend and we need to keep winning the next one and the next one.
“We don’t really want to dwell on the wins that we’ve had and although they’ve been unreal performances and we’ve got three points in both games, we’re just moving onto the next week to get three points”.
Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
