No pulling power, but A-League squads still have enough to excite

This season there will be no new high profile names gracing A-League fields, as all but three clubs have already filled their allocated visa spots.

Since those three teams still with room to move face varying degrees of financially uncertainty – the Newcastle Jets, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar – it is unlikely they will splash on a big name.

However, football fans should not be too concerned. While crowds for some games and clubs are prone to taking a hit, financial sustainability is arguably more vital in this shaky period.

And, as has been argued previously, high-profile marquee signings very rarely provide the success they promise.

Instead, let’s hope the lesser known foreign players entering the league this season – and there are plenty – have similar impacts to A-League stars such as Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha.

Adelaide United
Josep Gombau’s departure is the big change for the South Australian club, yet he has been ably replaced by right-hand man Guillermo Amor, who should continue the revolution at Hindmarsh Stadium.

In terms of foreign acquisitions the roster has remained fairly stable, with Spaniards Sergio Cirio, Isaias, Pablo Sanchez and Iacopo La Rocca joining Argentinean Marcelo Carrusca once again as the club’s visa legion.

Paul Izzo has departed, though Eugene Galekovic’s deputy deserves his chance of first-team action, while the raw talent of Awer Mabil has headed to Denmark.

The arrival of Eli Babalj is cause for excitement, the striker has long been tipped for Socceroos honours abut has come across a ridiculous amount of obstacles in Europe. The 22-year-old could be one of the signings of the season.

Brisbane Roar
Despite their financial troubles the Queensland club has been fortunate to lose only the talents of Luke Brattan. Adam Sarota’s return to FC Utrecht leaves a hole, however the capture of Jamie Maclaren is an impressive one. Too often consigned to the bench in Perth, the Olyroo could be an early shout for the golden boot.

This squad is still in need of a few more bodies, though their entire operation is up in the air. However, the continued development of youngsters such as Devante Clut and Brandon Borrello could bring some positivity back to the club

Central Coast Mariners
One of only two clubs without an international marquee, it is unlikely they will pull out a big signing considering their financial circumstance.

Nevertheless, the club have brought in Izzo from Adelaide, who should provide quality between the sticks, and have added British Isles players Dan Heffernan and Roy O’Donovan. Heffernan makes a big step from Heidelberg United in the Victorian Premier League, while O’Donovan is an unknown quantity. If they fail to click, the Mariners are in trouble up front.

Harry Ascroft, who spent the last few seasons with Dutch club VVV-Venlo, could be one to watch.

Melbourne City
City’s recruitment has been the most impressive this off-season, as long as you can look past age. Thomas Sorensen at 39 and Aaron Hughes at 35 will be looked down upon by some, even though they boast extensive experience in England’s top flight.

Both players have always been top professionals, and still likely are. Sorensen may have sat on the bench for the past three seasons at Stoke City, yet his instincts are likely still sharp. Mark Bosnich still had it when he turned out for the Mariners in 2008. Hughes is an amazing utility player who is comfortable across the back four.

Sorensen’s experience will be vital for a new-look City defence, which includes Hughes, Ivan Franjic and Michael Zullo. City’s defence could be a formidable force, a stark improvement on what was their weakest link last season.

Corey Gameiro is another astute signing, provided he can recover from an ACL injury suffered while on Olyroos duty. Throw in the permanent signings of Harry Novillo, who impressed towards the back-end of last season, a fully fit Robert Koren and an in-form Aaron Mooy and City have a squad to target the top two.

A lot will depend on how international marquee striker Bruno Fornaroli settles in, however.

Melbourne Victory
The champions have seen little action during the off-season, and to be fair there is not much to improve. Kevin Muscat has a stellar squad, and the few departures have been replaced with quality.

Mark Milligan’s move to the UAE is a big blow, yet the capture of Oliver Bozanic is a fantastic pick-up. Bozanic could play himself back into Socceroos contention, and is a like-for-like replacement for Milligan.

Nathan Coe has departed, yet Danny Vukovic undoubtedly strengthens Victory’s defence. Goalkeeper was probably the club’s only weak link last season, and Vukovic is one of the best in the league.

Victory’s foreign legion of Besart Berisha, Guilherme Finkler, Matthieu Delpierre, Kosta Barabarouses and Fahid Ben Khalfallah is juiciest in the league. How they have managed to sneak their squad under the cap is a miracle, and a sign of good governance.

Newcastle Jets
The Jets have mainly stuck to retaining their old roster and adding in a few unwanted players from around the rest of the league.

Local boy Jason Hoffman returns, as does cult hero Labinot Haliti, and Mark Birighitti returns from a stint in Italy to bring quality in goals.

Leonardo is the one to get excited about. He has the potential to have a similar impact as that of Shinji Ono or Thomas Broich. Big call? If you watched this guy in action for 1860 Munich last season, in the 2. Bundesliga, you would agree. Extremely unlucky to get shafted from the club once Ricardo Moniz was sacked. If he works hard, he will be a top performer.

The Jets look reunited after the horrid Nathan Tinkler era, and their team spirit and unity will be their best asset. If Leonardo and fellow visa players from last season Enver Alivodic and Lee Ki-Je provide much needed quality, a return to the finals is not impossible.

Perth Glory
A lot of quality has left Perth following their salary cap blunder, with Andy Keogh, Maclaren, Vukovic and Rostyn Griffiths moving away, as well Daniel De Silva, Riley Woodcock and Youssouf Hersi.

Their fortunes largely depend on their new foreign recruits. Diego Castro arrives as a 33-year-old winger with serious pedigree in La Liga, and will be the one to keep an eye on.

The other two incomers are Gyorgy Sandor, a 31-year-old Hungarian midfielder, and 29-year-old striker Guyon Fernandez. Both are unknown quantities, but that does not mean they won’t be impressive. Fans are best to hold judgement until they see them in action.

Ante Covic replaces Vukovic, while Hagi Gligor should get a chance to impress as well. It looks like being a tough year for the Glory, and much depends on their imports.

Sydney FC
Graham Arnold’s men fell short last season, outclassed by the better team in the grand final.

The loss of Mark Janko cannot be underestimated, and his departure significantly weakens their line-up. A lot depends on how new striker Filip Holosko settles in. A Slovakian international, still just 31 and big league experience with Besiktas, he could be a top find.

Arnold has kept Jacques Faty, Mickael Tavares and Milos Dimitrijevic as visa players, while the last place is taken by former Serbian international Milos Ninkovic. Arriving straight from Ligue 1, he is another to watch carefully.

Additions of Zac Anderson and Andrew Hoole should also soften the blow of losing Terry Antonis and Bernie Ibini.

Wellington Phoenix
Surprise packets from last season, Wellington will have to do without one of their best players after Nathan Burns left for FC Tokyo.

They have kept their strong foreign contingent of Roly Bonevacia, Albert Riera and Roy Krishna, whose goals will be vital, and added Jeffrey Sarpong. Another unknown, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder boasts Ajax, NAC Breda and Real Sociedad as former clubs. Should be interesting.

Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney’s season largely depends on how their new Spanish influx performs. Will it be more Adelaide United or Wellington Phoenix? Either would be fine.

A huge dip in form last season – for a variety of reasons – has Tony Popovic under pressure to deliver yet another roster change. While Popovic has experience in putting together a squad from scratch, this is his first time reinventing one.

Gone are many clubs mainstays such as Haliti, Covic, Tomi Juric, La Rocca, Poljak, Matthew Spiranovic and Antony Golec. While Kerem Bulut, Nikita Rukavystya and Japanese imports Yojiro Takahagi and Yusuke Tanaka have also departed.

It’s a huge change, one of the biggest clean-outs seen in the A-League.

The signing of Mitch Nichols should give them creativity and drive in midfield. Added with two former Barcelona B products – Andreu and Dimas – and WSW have potential to be a fluid and exciting unit.

Both Spaniards have pedigree in Spain’s second division, Andreu with Racing Santander and Dimas with Spain’s first established club Recreativo de Huelva.

Joining them is defensive midfielder/centre back Alberto, who has played with clubs such as Getafe and Cordoba, and striker Federico Piovaccari, who played 28 games in La Liga last year with SD Eibar.

It appears Popovic has worked hard in his recruitment, hopefully it pays off.

The big names have not arrived in the A-League this season, but it is no reason to despair. Looking at the greatest players to grace Australia shores in the last 10 years, most have been surprise finds.

This could be the year of the unheralded import, with a number of incoming visa players delivering a mixture of anticipation and promise.