Josh Kennedy believes Melbourne City FC’s playing style will ensure he scores goals in the Hyundai A-League and the striker believes he can help the club secure some silverware.
“I hope to win a championship, whether it’s this year or next year or the year after we’ll see,” said Kennedy on Tuesday.
The hero of the Iraq qualifier in Sydney that propelled Australia into the 2014 World Cup said he was excited by the prospect of lifting City up the table.
“I want to fit in as quick as possible and start winning games and then in finals anything can happen.
“I want to play my part to make the team the best that it can be.”
Kennedy has begun training with City ahead of his 18-month deal beginning next month.
The 32-year-old, who has scored 17 times in 33 caps for the Socceroos, is still working his way back to full fitness after an injury-riddled time in the J-League with previous club Nagoya Grampus.
He hasn’t played a competitive match since August due to a back injury which also ruled him out of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Kennedy is unlikely to be fit to play until after the Asian Cup break in February, with City boss John van’t Schip confirming his marquee man has lots of work to do to get up to speed. “He’s (Kennedy) behind,” van’t Schip told reporters on Tuesday.
“He didn’t play for a while, he came from injury. But he’s getting treatment now.”
While he needs match time, the tall striker has the potential to be a hit in the pacy City team, which should excite the clubs fans.
“The way the coach wants to play with the guys out wide and getting a lot of balls in the box, that’s really beneficial for the way I play,” Kennedy said.
“Hopefully I can slot in there and finish things off. I want to come in and fit I the team as quick as possible, do my job on the pitch, score some goals and send team back on winning ways.”
Kennedy, who last played domestically with Carlton in the old NSL almost 15 years ago, believes this is the perfect time – and place – to head home.
“The club’s heading in a really exciting direction with the City takeover and this team, this club definitely has the ability to become the biggest and best in Australia,” he said.
“For me it was a no-brainer this is the place to come and re-start my career in Australia.
“The team has had some ups and down (this season). A few results were unlucky not to go our way but in general we’ve played some good football.
“It’s just that little bit is missing to turn those games into winning results but once we do that we’ll be on a good path.”
Kennedy had a successful time of it in the J-League, winning the championship with Nagoya in 2010 and finishing as the competitions top scorer in two successive seasons.
In all he scored 64 times from 128 appearances in the J-League.
City meanwhile have a Melbourne Derby to play this Saturday.
