As the start of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League nears and teams finalise their respective lists, Melbourne City coach John van ’t Schip has revealed City may use their final visa spot to strengthen the side’s defence.
With the departure of utility Patrick Gerhardt at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season, the team could look to find someone to fulfil a similar role, a player capable of playing centre-back or as a holding midfielder.
“We are still looking for a spot that we can fill within the coming weeks and hopefully we can find that player [but] overall I’m very happy right now with how the team is put together,” van ’t Schip said.
“If we are gonna get one more in it’s going to be in a more defensive thinking kind of position, could be defensive midfield or someone in the back who can play maybe as a centre-back.
“Robbie [Wielaert] and Patrick Kisnorbo were very vulnerable having only those two [but] we have some players behind that can back up like Ross Archibald but he’s very young – we have to make the squad as competitive as possible and that’s the position we’re looking more for,” he added.
One such player brought in to strengthen the City squad is former Hull City midfielder Robert Koren, signed on as the club’s marquee for the next two A-League seasons.
The Slovenian international joined his new teammates for Monday morning’s training session and van ’t Schip hopes he’ll reach full fitness soon but remained tight-lipped on whether the 33-year-old will line up against Sydney FC for their FFA Cup blockbuster on August 12.
“[We are] getting the team now almost complete – [Koren] is a player that should help us get to the next level,” the head coach said.
“He looks very fit for the first training that we had him in so hopefully he can catch up with the group in a very quick time. We have to see how he develops in the coming week and then we can consider if he’s ready or not.
“It’s important that he shows that he is very fit because he also has to be fit to make a difference on the pitch and that’s what we will look at.”
With the signings of Damien Duff and Koren as well as the imminent arrival of David Villa, Melbourne City – in the minds of many – have gone from ladder fodder last season to title contenders this one and van ’t Schip says it’s the quality of players that will ultimately determine if the club is to be successful this season.
“We have brought in many players that are going to make a big difference,” he said.
“We are getting players in that are team players and within are going to make the team stronger and Robbie Koren is a perfect example. He is a player that in the past has shown he is an example to have in your team as a team player with his qualities and that’s how we want to build the team further on.
“Of course we will also get David Villa in for a few games so that’s in my opinion a big bonus and we have to make sure in the meantime the whole team is prepared and ready so that when he comes he can fit in to the team and help us become stronger,” he added.
Van’t Schip also revealed Melbourne City have been in touch with the City Football Group regarding David Villa’s preparations but did not specify when the Spanish striker is set to arrive in Melbourne.