After the signings of Ivan Franjic, Corey Gameiro, Aaron Hughes and Michael Zullo, Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip says his side are a developing a “strong competitive squad”
Although all the headlines throughout the week have surrounded his side’s clash with sister club Manchester City, van’t Schip believes his side’s acquisitions go a long way to addressing the key deficiencies from last season.
“Im very happy,” van’t Schip said.
“We’re talking about a strong competitive squad and I’m very happy with the boys that are training with us now and the boys that are fit.”
The latest signings, Aaron Hughes and Michael Zullo, have added reinforcement to a backline that saw the departure of Robbie Wielaert and Kew Jaliens, and van’t Schip believes that these signings will add depth to his backline.
“We were looking for an experienced centre back so that’s why we got Aaron Hughes,” van’t Schip said.
“He’s a player who’s still is very fit, played in the EPL for 15 years and is still playing internationally so he has some goals to be a part of that team that is on track to qualify for the Euros and he wants to be there,
“Damien Duff spoke very highly about him and that’s important for us because we hold Damien in high esteem as a player but also as a person and his opinion was important for us,
With (Zullo and) his experience in Holland now, i think he is eager to show that he is the player everyone remembers him as,
“He had a difficult period because of an injury but now he’s fully fit,
“We’re very happy with his signing. He’s at a good age and still has a lot to prove so we will help him with that.
With visa spots to be filled and a range of local spots still up for grabs on the roster, van’t Schip will look to continue to strengthen his side ahead of the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League season.
