For the past few seasons in the A-League it has been Sydney FC’s world, and we are living in it. But how will the champions fair this season?
Last season…
A-League: 2nd
Finals: Champions
FFA CUP: Finalists
Despite finishing runners-up to Perth Glory last year and not particularly enjoying their best spell of football until the final rounds, the Sky Blues escaped a cauldron of purple and left with the toilet seat.
For the upcoming campaign there has been talk of the nature of new signings for Steve Corica’s men. The acquisitions of both Kosta Barbarouses and Alexander Baumjohann from direct rivals is sure to cause a stir in derbies but with pre-season results not setting anything alight, will the four-time A-League winners enjoy another successful season?
They’ll win the league because…
The Sky Blues have retained core players in Milos Ninkovic, Brandon O’Neill, Alex Wilkinson, Michael Zullo, and Andrew Redmayne who have been there for the most successful period in the club’s short history. They know what it takes to win at the top level and will prove crucial into gelling their new teammates into Sydney FC culture.
They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
Sydney’s pre-season results have been nothing to write home about. The most disappointing was their Round of 32 exit from the FFA Cup against a stubborn Brisbane Roar [who were subsequently knocked out at the next stage by the Central Coast Mariners]. Fans have put this one down to new signings having time to gel. A draw behind closed doors to Wellington and Newcastle have also raised eyebrows.
Corica has a job on his hands to create the perfect formula for the team and to get the best football out of them. By October there will be nowhere to hide if results are not up to scratch.
The off-season brought
New blood. Sydney have lost a number of key stars that have been integral to proceedings in the past. The key outs from last season include: Alex Brosque, Siem de Jong, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Josh Brillante, Aaron Calver, Jop van der Linden, Jacob Tratt, Cameron Devlin, and Daniel de Silva. All of these players had key roles to play at some part of last season for Sydney to go on and win the title. Has there been enough done in filling up every hole for this season?
Ryan McGowan: at first glance, this seems like smart business. McGowan has a wealth of experience behind him. With spells in both Europe and Asia, along with World Cup experience, it seems he will slot in quite well alongside captain Wilkinson to marshal the troops. The defender is only 30 years of age which should enable him to be able to play more matches than the ever-present Wilkinson across A-League and Champions League fronts.
Luke Brattan: a signing seen to be a direct swap with Socceroos hopeful Josh Brillante who is plying his trade down the coast at Melbourne City. It ponders the question as to where Brattan will play in the Sydney FC system. He may play alongside O’Neill in a defensive midfield two, or perhaps further forward – as he was seem doing under Warren Joyce at City. He is a player that has a history of volatility and his chances of future Socceroos appearances are fading quickly, so this signing will be one that could potentially make or break Sydney’s title chances.
Alexander Baumjohann: all signs last season suggest that he is the best out-in-out number 10 in the competition (a man named Milos might have a case against this). He is quick, agile, and most importantly, intelligent. He and Ninkovic will be the men tasked with breaking down resolute defences and supplying Adam Le Fondre to finish off chances. If he can reach the heights that he did with the Wanderers, Sydney will have a scary proposition on their hands.
Kosta Barbarouses: one of the most controversial signings in the history of the A-League, a Melbourne Victory stalwart heading to the sky blue contingent. It is a mouth-watering prospect for Big Blue fixtures. The Kiwi international seems to be deployed as a second number nine with Le Fondre in pre-season matches, an ideal replacement for club legend Brosque following his retirement. He is sure to be quick, nippy, and difficult for opposition defenders to deal with. If he can make the right runs in behind defensive lines then it should not be out of the question for a potential golden boot season for him.
Key player
If Sydney FC are to go back-to-back, then there is one man key to their chances for glory, Rhyan Grant. The energetic fullback is in the form of his life. He would have been forgiven for coming back from his ACL injury 18 months ago a lesser player, but if anything he is playing his best football. He is a key outlet up the line when options have run out through the middle and his eye for attacking football proves dangerous for oppositions with his overlapping runs and crosses into the box. If he is given adequate cover in defence it will enable him to sprint forward and provide another option in front of goal.
Full Squad list
Goalkeepers: Thomas Heward-Belle, Andrew Redmayne
Defenders: Patrick Flottman, Rhyan Grant, Joel King, Ryan McGowan, Harry Van der Saag, Ben Warland, Alex Wilkinson, Michael Zullo
Midfielders: Alexander Baumjohann, Luke Brattan, Anthony Caceres, Milos Ninkovic, Brandon O’Neill, Paulo Retre, Ryan Teague, Chris Zuvela
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Trent Buhagiar, Luke Ivanovic, Adam Le Fondre, Marco Tilio
Feature image credit: Jaime Castaneda
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