When the Sky Blues’ 2020-21 A-League campaign finally kicks off, they will be chasing their third-straight championship crown and second-straight regular-season title.
Manager Steve Corica’s accomplishments to date are certainly impressive. He’s overseen a sustained period of success over his tenure, building on the foundations now national team boss Graham Arnold built at the club.
I’m sure Corica has aspirations to coach at a higher level and a third championship in as many seasons will grab the attention of clubs overseas.
It’s also pertinent to recognise the potential for him to reach demi-god status at the club he won two championships with as a player. He certainly has competition for the candidacy for the club’s biggest icon with the likes of Terry McFlynn and Rhyan Grant, but a third championship as a manager might just seal it.
I have no qualms with naming Corica the best manager in the league, biased as I may be, and this is a huge advantage in a salary-capped league.
I’ve previously talked about how you can’t win in this league without either solid recruitment or a top manager (or both).
Speaking of recruitment, at time of writing, Sydney’s squad for the upcoming campaign remains largely unchanged from the side that won the club’s fifth toilet seat at Bankwest Stadium back in August. There certainly hasn’t been much coming in and there hasn’t been much traffic going the other way, but I would be remiss not to mention the elephant in the room.
That elephant’s name is Adam le Fondre, and there’s definitely no getting away from the fact the ex-Reading man is a significant loss. Le Fondre contributed 20 goals in the regular season – just two shy of golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren.
Everyone involved at the club – including the man himself – would have hoped for more goals from Kosta Barbarouses in 2019-20, but even with increased output from the Kiwi in the upcoming campaign, it’s unrealistic to expect him to match or even get near le Fondre’s tally.
It’s safe to say young guns Trent Buhagiar and Luke Ivanovic will be granted more game time, but again, the chances their names will light up the scoreboard on a regular basis are low.
Of course, it’s quite unlikely the plan is for improved showings from existing players to balance the loss of Alfie. Corica and CEO Danny Townsend are no doubt on the hunt for an out-and-out number nine to spearhead the Sky Blues’ attack, but with the start of the season just days away, the potential new striker won’t be in place for the first few games of the new campaign. As a Sydney fan, I’m confident they will get the right man in.
Talk around bringing former number nine Bobo back to the club is still around, but that would be an odd move.
The Brazilian is no spring chicken at 36 years of age and since departing Sydney, hasn’t exactly been in top goal-scoring form in stints at overseas clubs.
Quotes from that Sydney Morning Herald article suggest that while he’s obviously targeting a new import to lead the line, Corica is pinning high hopes on Buhagiar to take a big step forward.
But what of Sydney’s competition for the premiers plate and championship title? There are threats all across the league – new boys Macarthur FC have assembled an imposing squad and you’d expect bounce-back seasons from old rivals Melbourne Victory and cross-town enemies Western Sydney.
Melbourne City and Western United will be there or thereabouts.
It’s certainly going to be a battle, but I’m confident Corica and the team will get the business done in 2020-21. A trophy-less season would be a major disappointment for Sydney FC.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The biggest problem for Sydney Fc is not losing La Fondre but having kept too many aging players. Wilkinson is the biggest issue, Ninkovic, BaumJohan are too old as well. La Fondre is also getting on so his output would have fallen.
Popvalium Andropoff
Guest
City probably has a better forward line than Sydney, but if Nabbout plays like he did last season he'll clearly be a downgrade from Susaeta. The team that'll be interesting to watch is Macarthur. If they go with Derbyshire up forward, Susaeta and Oar on the wings and Benat at number 10 they could score a lot of goals. Best team? Probably WU.
David Shilovsky
Expert
All good points. Again, I'm biased, but I'd like to think when it gets to the pointy end of the season and the margins become thinner and thinner, the Sydney players' quality as well as championship experience will hold them in good stead.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You need to add Ninkovic to Sydney's front third and that evens it up and possibly adds some extra. Nabbout works hard - he will run all day but his goal shooting needs a lot of tidying up. Noone is very good but doesn't get too many goals either so that puts a lot of pressure on Maclaren. If Sydney had Maclaren or Melbourne had Ninkovic that would obviously make a huge difference to either team. Adelaide have a lot of promise - again those talented youngsters need to find the back of the net regularly to challenge the top teams. I hope they can. Most teams have some good forwards and it will be interesting to see which ones really click. Fornaroli, Keogh, Castro, Ikonomides possibly looks better than Sydney or Melbourne City and if Rudy Gestede works for Melbourne Victory with Rojas and Kruse they are the dark horses this year. And people talk about the A League lacking quality - it's looking pretty good to me.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Top four for Macarthur seems a decent bet. I wonder what it's paying. Western are definitely a threat.
David Shilovsky
Expert
Plenty to be excited about with the youth. I've got to admit, I'm not too familiar with most of our youngsters.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Sydney's line-up of Barbarouses, Buhagiar and Ivanovic don't look as good as Maclaren, Noone and Nabbout at Melbourne City. It's a good opportunity for the youngsters though. Adelaide lead the pack in that regard with Niyongabire, Yengi and a pair of Toure brothers. Macarthur have a good signing with Derbyshire, I'd say they'll make the top 4. Western United will continue to be a threat as long as Berisha is in form. Sydney will have a challenging season ahead, which will be good for the competition.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It will be interesting to see how Corica goes if they have a winless period. I believe he's a good coach and man manager and I wish him success but a tough period will be his test. This may come this year. Alfie was brilliant but even with him Sydney's attack still missed quite a few goals last season. Without him is a real question mark. I hope Buhagiar, Ivanovic and Swibel do well as they are talented young Australian players. It is also necessary for our midfield - Caceras, Brattan, Beamjahon and Niewunhaus along with Ryan to score more. Sydney will do well but it will be interesting to see which teams step up - City and Victory should do well. The Wanderers and Macarthur look promising. Hopefully Adelaide's youngsters shine and Juric bangs a few in. It will be an interesting year.