As outgoing Adelaide High Performance boss Darren Burgess prepares to join Italian soccer giant Juventus, he says there is one Crow whose athletic ability stacks up with some of the world’s best.

Burgess had previously worked with talented athletes at English Premier League clubs Arsenal, where he was director of high performance, and Liverpool, as head of fitness.

Speaking to Channel 7 before heading to Italy for his new role as Juventus’ Director of Performance, Burgess said Crows livewire forward Izak Rankine possessed the same kind of athleticism as some of the world’s top performers.

“Izak Rankine is one of the most athletically gifted people that I’ve ever come across, so no doubt he could be a full-time midfielder,” Burgess said.

“We’ve seen how dangerous he can be, and we can see how much we missed him when he wasn’t around for the finals.”

Burgess also revealed he was part of conversations with Crows veteran Taylor Walker as the veteran weighed up his football future.

Following Walker’s decision to continue his AFL career into a 19th season, Burgess said the 35-year-old had what it took to play on.

“His conversations were about (if he) has he got the mental ability, determination and fire,” Burgess told Channel 7.

“As soon as I asked him that, he said ‘absolutely, I absolutely want to go on, I want to compete, I want to be part of this group’.

“I have no doubt that he’ll be another success next season.”

Burgess also spoke about which Adelaide stars would make good soccer players, having seen their skills come out at the Crows’ West Lakes training track.

“Josh Worrell or Ben Keays, Dan Curtin has got outstanding feet for a big man,” Burgess said.

“Reilly O’Brien thinks he can play, but he’s about one of the worst soccer players I’ve seen.”

The Club announced last month that Burgess was moving to the Serie A soccer Club, after being an integral part of the Crows’ high performance program across the past four years.

Adelaide quickly moved to secure an internationally-experienced replacement, appointing Ian McKeown to the role.

McKeown comes to the Crows from NHL club, the Philadelphia Flyers, where he has held the position of Vice President, Athlete Performance and Wellness. He has previously been Head of High Performance at the Port Adelaide Football Club.

McKeown will officially start work at the Club in November ahead of the players returning for pre-season training.