While the Manchester City takeover has seen much of the focus on their cross-town rivals, the Victory have also assembled a squad choc-full of talent.
All their recruits have excellent pedigree and experience and add that to the stars already at coach Kevin Muscat’s disposal and Victory are rightly one of the favourites for the title.
Daniel Georgievski and Matthieu Delpierre boost the defence which was the side’s Achilles heel last season, Carl Valeri makes it an all-Socceroo midfield while Besart Berisha gives the team a proven goal scorer.
The ingredients are there, will silverware follow?
Player price list:
|
Archie Thompson |
F |
$349,000 |
|
Berisha |
F |
$334,000 |
|
Coe |
G |
$304,000 |
|
Finkler |
M |
$287,000 |
|
Delpierre |
D |
$263,000 |
|
Barbarouses |
F |
$254,000 |
|
Milligan |
M |
$248,000 |
|
Georgievski |
D |
$225,000 |
|
Thomas |
G |
$205,000 |
|
Ben Khalfallah |
M |
$183,000 |
|
Geria |
D |
$179,000 |
|
Valeri |
M |
$179,000 |
|
Ansell |
D |
$169,000 |
|
Murnane |
D |
$163,000 |
|
Leijer |
D |
$152,000 |
|
Broxham |
M |
$145,000 |
|
Pain |
F |
$136,000 |
|
Galloway |
D |
$125,000 |
|
Mahazi |
M |
$119,000 |
|
Nabbout |
M |
$117,000 |
|
Brown |
M |
$91,000 |
|
Makarounas |
M |
$91,000 |
Star Man:
Besart Berisha ($334,000)
Who else? If there’s one thing the Victory have missed in the last couple of seasons it’s an out-and-out goal-scorer. Berisha certainly fits the bill, as evidenced from his two championships in three seasons at Brisbane Roar. With service from the likes of Finkler, Thompson, Barbarouses and Pain, 2014/15 could be the Albanian’s best season yet.
Bargain Buy:
Scott Galloway ($125,000)
With so many big names it’s hard to find a good bargain in the Victory squad but Galloway could be the man. The departure of Adama Traore means the left-back position is there for the taking and Galloway is certainly the leading contender. He has searing pace and the ability to get forward and join in the attack which is what you want from your fantasy full-backs.
Likely starting XI: (4-2-3-1)
Nathan Coe (GK), Daniel Georgievski, Matthieu Delpierre, Adrian Leijer, Scott Galloway, Mark Milligan, Carl Valeri, Kosta Barbarouses, Gui Finkler, Archie Thompson, Besart Berisha
