An unassuming presence in the Brisbane Roar engine room, rivalled in reticence only by his CV, Jay O'Shea has fast become the A-League's archetype for the ideal playmaker.
Arriving in the Sunshine State as part of Robbie's Roar Revolution "Brexit" contingent, his modest career forged in the kiln of England's lower leagues was quickly eclipsed by the eminence of the Alessandro Diamanti's.
While bursting onto the scene would be a superlative unbecoming of his speed, O'Shea's debut season was nothing short of sensational.
With Fox Sports highlight packages dominated by strikes and skills sumptuous by design, O'Shea's self-effacing approach breathes new life into the modern attacking midfield role.
While one goal from 36 shots leaves a lot to be desired in the conversion rate criterion, his
contribution to the team is more metronomic than pyrotechnic.
There's an unquantifiable quality about the Irishman.
Deploying in half-spaces, he manages to materialise an extra yard of space out of seemingly thin air, with a shift of weight setting him and his rangefinder free. Possessing a passing range to rival that of prime Broich, his innate ability to find an angle has proven incisive in the attacking third.
Thirty-two percent of O'Shea's 1,409 successful passes were scythed out in forward directions, with a meagre eighteen percent recycled backwards, offering a stark contrast to the typically regressive nature of A-League attacks.
Moreover, a seventy-five percent passing accuracy in his opponents half has him operating as one of the league's most efficient dispatchers. And with 266 balls into the box, chances created are the key to his craft.
Tallying a league-high 83 chances created in 2019/20, the stat is made all the more impressive considering Roar's perceived lack of attack under Fowler. While only six of these chances were converted into goals, it's more an indictment on the Roar's finishing than O'Shea's altruism.
An ostensibly surprising inclusion given his lack of headline steals, his Opta Index of 78.2 was enough to secure him a spot in the 2019-20 Team of the Season. Flanked by Milos Ninkovic (79.6) and Diego Castro (77.4), the Irishman threw his hat into the ring of marquee midfielders - and came out trumps.
While the on-loan acquisition of Riku Danzaki threatened to encroach on the O'Shea eisteddfod, he shirked the competition, seeing out all three of Brisbane's opening fixtures, albeit from a slightly deeper role.
Employed as a mezzala, much in the mould of a Paul Pogba, O'Shea emulsifies with his defensive midfield counterpart, ferrying balls out of his own defence before unlocking the opposition's. The deeper role is accompanied by an increased defensive impetus. Profiting from his positional nous, O'Shea has been pivotal in cutting passing lanes and snuffling breakaways in the middle third, boasting an 80% tackle success rate.
While the renewed role has paid dividends for the Roar, their 3-1 victory over Melbourne Victory highlighted that O'Shea is at his best in that anterior role.
Locked 1-1 at the break, coach Warren Moon was praised for his proactive approach to substitutions, with the addition of Jesse Daley heralding a second-half turnaround. While Daley received the plaudits, Moon's post-match press conference revealed the true nature of the change.
"We needed to free up [Jay O'Shea], that was the key."
Deposed of set piece duties by Corey Brown, its a credit to his creativity that he's been able to fashion six goalscoring chances despite a mixed bag of his side's performances so far, earning him a Round 1 Team of the Week entry.
As age 33 looms large, his game promises to go unhindered by a withering physical presence. With Brisbane Roar handing him the conductor's baton as they go on their silverware assault, expect Jay O'Shea to be a competition staple for seasons to come.
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