On paper, Melbourne City have the squad to match their city rivals Victory, yet with an statistically uninspiring coach and a glut of new signings, it will likely take a season for this team to truly gel.
Fans and media alike are predicting City to challenge for A-League trophies this season, and there is a lot of excitement about the roster they have put together. The excitement is valid, as the additions of both Australian and foreign talent has far outweighed the losses.
Important cogs from last season remain and it would appear City are destined for their best season to date. Like many A-League sides this season, however, much depends on an import, in this case Bruno Fornaroli. The Uruguayan will be expected to take most of the goalscoring load as City’s No.9, and in pre-season he has made a promising start.
Strengths
The defence, it looks absolutely solid. However it is almost an entirely new back five, so whether they can gel quickly is the only question.
Thomas Sorensen and Aaron Hughes bring invaluable experience from the English Premier League, as well as professionalism, and despite their age look impressive signings.
Michael Zullo and Ivan Franjic were once two of the best attacking fullbacks to grace the A-League, and Zullo in particular will be one to watch. The 27-year-old has had a horrendous time with injuries since a move to FC Utrecht in 2010 and hopefully he can stay on the field.
Age is a concern, the central pairing of Patrick Kisnorbo and Hughes combine for 69 years, but with good support from lively fullbacks and Erik Paartalu, this could be City’s most improved department.
Weaknesses
It is hard to find one, much like Melbourne Victory. Every position is filled with talent, and it looks fantastic on paper. Yet there’s the problem, paper does not translate into results.
The strongest starting XI will have no less than six new faces – Sorensen, Zullo, Franjic, Corey Gameiro, Fornaroli and Hughes – while one of them – Harry Novillo – has only played eight matches in the A-League.
Getting the team chemistry running will not come easily, and a lot depends on the backroom staff.
Can Melbourne City rise to a title in 2015-16?
Big question: Can John van ‘t Schip get the best out of this talented squad?
The City manager has hardly been impressive during his time in the A-League. During is time as the inaugural coach of Melbourne Heart the club failed to make a significant dent both on and off the field.
A return after the John Aloisi experiment has similarly failed to take off, and there was a reason his second coming was met with little fanfare. A seven-match unbeaten run did follow, yet it is difficult to look past his A-League record.
In 102 games, van ‘t Schip has recorded 33 wins, 33 draws and 36 losses, for a winning percentage of just over 30 per cent. For a squad with this amount of talent, you get the feeling City have put their trust in the wrong man. Then again, maybe he just has not had the right tools so far.
Key man: Aaron Mooy
In the past year Aaron Mooy has taken his game to a new level, both domestically and internationally. His performances during the off-season for the Socceroos should give opposition the chills.
If that is what Mooy looks like during his pre-season, just wait until he is in the middle of an A-League campaign. His midfield partnership with Paartalu will be crucial for City. Expect goals from Mooy, spectacular goals.
Robert Koren, with a full pre-season behind him, also must start performing like a marquee this campaign.
Youngster to watch: Corey Gameiro
Not an unknown force by any means, but last season’s knee injury curtailed what promised to be a breakout season for the 22-year-old. Surprisingly ditching Sydney FC for Melbourne City, Gameiro could be a clutch signing.
Depending on how he has recovered from surgery – an ACL rupture can be extremely difficult to bounce back from – Gameiro could help fellow forward Fornaroli with the goalscoring duties. Jacob Melling could be another to watch.
Position last season: Fifth
Locked in a battle with Brisbane Roar for a finals spot for much of the season, City won the race. Although Perth’s points deduction ultimately made the contest void. City surprised Wellington 2-0 in the elimination finals before Victory demolished them 3-0.
Prediction: Finals
While critics are tipping Melbourne City for a title challenge, it is hard to see them sparking up form straight away. A place in the finals, sure. A challenge for the premiership, unlikely.
First five fixtures
Sydney FC (A), Melbourne Victory (A), Central Coast (H), Newcastle Jets (H), Adelaide United (A).
Possible line-up
Novillo, Fornaroli, Gameiro
Koren
Paartalu, Mooy
Zullo, Kisnorbo, Hughes, Franjic
Sorensen
Ins
Corey Gameiro (Sydney FC), Ivan Franjic (Torpedo Moscow), Steve Kuzmanovski (Wanderers), Harry Novillo (permanent deal), Aaron Hughes (free agent), Michael Zullo (FC Utrecht), Bruno Fornaroli (free agent), Thomas Sørensen (free agent), Jason Trifiro (Wanderers), Callum Richardson (Burnley).
Outs
Andrew Redmayne (Wanderers), Mate Dugandzic (released), Iain Ramsay (released), Rob Wielaert (released), Kew Jaliens (released), Damien Duff (released), Josh Kennedy (retired), Jonatan Germano (released).
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