A new coach, a new game plan and an exciting young squad positions City as one of the surprise-packet teams in the league.

Can they build on recent finals appearances and go all the way?

Last season…

A-League: 5th
Finals: Elimination final
FFA Cup: Quarter final

They’ll win the league because…

After five successive finals appearances, City will have their sights set on a maiden premiership under the tutelage of new head coach Erick Mombaerts. The veteran coach brings an attacking and progressive style to City after successful stints in France and Japan.

The squad has been bolstered by the additions of midfielder Joshua Brillante, defender Scott Galloway and goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, all of whom will add experience to a squad with grand final ambitions. While a full season with superstar goal-scorer Jamie Maclaren should see the side score in a more consistent manner.

The squad has hit the ground running thus far in the FFA Cup winning through to the final as the club chases a second FFA Cup trophy. The momentum and confidence garnered through this campaign should continue once the season starts.

They’ll be cellar dwellers because…

With a significant amount of upheaval occurring during the off-season, City could be slow to get off the mark as the squad adapts to Mombaerts new game plan.

The absence of stalwart goalkeeper and 2019 Clubman of the Year award winner Eugene Galekovic who retired at the end of last season will leave a hole that may be difficult to fill, placing more pressure on defenders like Scott Galloway and captain Scott Jamieson.

A couple of tough matches to start the season against Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United could see City off the pace early if they fail to take home the points and could undermine confidence in the club’s new direction.

Talk around the water cooler… look smart in front of your colleagues with this valuable piece of information

Aside from the newly formed Western United, Melbourne City is the only Australian-based team yet to feature in a grand final. Will they finally break the ten year drought?

The off-season brought

Clarity and new direction. With a new coaching team in place, City has gone about adding experience to its talented, yet youthful squad.

This is headlined by the addition of English recruit Craig Noone from Bolton Wanderers who provides another attacking option for City that will suit the coach’s aggressive game style. His four goals thus far in the FFA cup suggests that he could form a lethal combination with established forward Maclaren. While seasoned A-League performer Scott Galloway comes across from Adelaide United and will add depth to the team’s defence.

Key player

Jamie Maclaren. The prolific striker returned to the A-League late last season having spent two years in Germany and Scotland and has already booted six goals in four FFA cup appearances. The last time he played a full season in the league back in 2016/17, the striker scored 19 goals en-route to winning the Golden Boot with Brisbane Roar – a feat he will no doubt be looking to replicate this year. Classy and confident, Maclaren’s ability to find the back of the net will be crucial to team success and lifting City from the middle of the table up towards title contention.

One to watch…

Adrian Luna. The Uruguayan import brings a wealth of knowledge having played almost 300 matches in Uruguay, Spain and Mexico despite being only 27-years-old. The attack-minded player has totalled 38 goals and 36 assists during his career and his attacking flair and aggressive approach should thrive under coach Mombaerts and complement the teams other scoring options.

His veteran presence in the locker room will also be crucial to a squad looking for stability after multiple off-season changes. Given all his experience, the veteran should have no problem performing on the big stage and there’s no better way to endear yourself to the City fans then by starring in the massive round one derby against bitter crosstown rivals Melbourne Victory.

INS: Scott Galloway (Adelaide United), Craig Noone (Bolton Wanderers, England), Richard Windbichler (Viborg FF, Denmark), Josh Brillante (Sydney FC), Javier Cabrera (Montevideo Wanderers), Adrian Luna (Veracuz, Mexico), Tom Glover (Tottenham Hotspur, England),

OUTS: James Delianov, Eugene Galekovic, Ritchie De Laet, Shayon Harrison, Riley McGree, Dario Vidosic, Bart Schenkeveld, Kearyn Baccus, Mark Birighitti.

Full squad list

Goalkeepers: Dean Bouzanis Joe Gauci, Tom Glover

Defenders: Harrison Delbridge, Scott Galloway, Curtis Good, Scott Jamieson, Connor Metcalfe, Kerrin Stokes, Richard Windbichler

Midfielders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Florin Berenguer, Joshua Brillante, Marcelo Cabrera, Denis Genreau, Rostyn Griffiths, Nicholas Hatzigeorgiou, Moudi Najjar, Ramy Najjarine, Craig Noone, Lachlan Wales

Forwards: Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Stefan Colakovski, Yaya Dukuly, Adrian Luna, Jamie Maclaren