Season 2024-25 is in the rear-view mirror as Isuzu UTE A-League clubs prepare for the new campaign in the transfer market. aleagues.com.au looks at what your club needs this off-season.
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Adelaide United
Defence is the glaring issue Adelaide United must fix this off-season.
Former head coach Carl Veart labelled it the team’s “Achilles Heel” at the backend of 2024-25 after the Reds conceded 55 goals in the regular season, having shipped 53 the campaign prior.
That’s 103 goals or 106 if you factor in the 3-2 Elimination Final loss to Western United.
There is a lot of work for new boss Airton Andrioli to do after replacing Veart and it starts with addressing his side’s defensive frailties.
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Adelaide tried three different goalkeepers last term – James Delianov, Ethan Cox and Max Vartuli. Dutch veteran Bart Vriends and young gun Panagiotis Kikianis struck up a good understanding at the heart of defence but still conceded far too many goals.
Whether it is in the goalkeeping position, central defence or at full-back, Adelaide’s defensive third is the highest priority.
Auckland FC
It doesn’t get much better than Auckland FC when it comes to inaugural seasons; the Black Knights won the Premiership while narrowly missing out on a Grand Final berth.
The newcomers shattered all kinds of records in a remarkable A-Leagues campaign.
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While Auckland remain solid across the board, they have lost star goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, who returns to Premier League club Bournemouth after his loan stint. Replacing the New Zealand international with a shot-stopper of similar quality is paramount.
Also replacing Colombian forward Neyder Moreno will be needed as they look to go one step further in 2025-26.
Brisbane Roar
It is a new era with Michael Valkanis at the helm of Brisbane Roar. Now, it is time to restore the Roar of yesteryear, starting with a return to the Finals Series.
In order to do that, there’s obviously a need to strengthen. One area of focus is in attack.
In 2024-25, Brisbane scored just 32 goals in 26 matches – the fourth fewest in the 13-team competition. Thomas Waddingham contributed four of those before earning a switch to EFL Championship outfit Portsmouth in January, while breakout midfield star Samuel Klein finished as the team’s leading scorer (five).
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How they will replace the youngster will depend on Asumah Abubakar’s future after the Portuguese forward starred with four goals in 12 appearances following his mid-season arrival on a short-term deal.
Another area that could be bolstered is defence after conceding the fourth-most goals across the league (51). Academy graduate Lucas Herrington has been a shining light but he has been tipped to leave Suncorp Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners
Who replaces Brian Kaltak?
That is one of a few questions facing Central Coast Mariners after the club great departed Gosford for Perth Glory at the end of 2024-25.
His absence leaves a glaring absence in the heart of defence, especially when you consider Trent Sainsbury endured an injury-hit return to the club and suffered what appeared to be an Achilles injury towards the backend of the campaign.
The Mariners, who were coming off an historic treble as they juggled the AFC Champions League Elite, also struggled up front.
Only two clubs scored fewer goals than Central Coast in 2024-25. Alou Kuol was their highest scorer with four.
Could out-of-contract veteran Bruno Fornaroli help solve their attacking issues?
Macarthur Bulls
Jed Drew, Valere Germain, Ariath Piol and Jake Hollman; Macarthur Bulls lost a lot of proven quality either during the season or at the end of the campaign.
How the Bulls replace the talent they’ve lost will be interesting, given their proven track record of promoting players from within.
In Drew, Germain and Piol – that is a lot of assists and goals to replace. They already have Harry Sawyer and have handed a scholarship to young gun Zane Helweh, who is the senior academy team’s leading goalscorer.
But they need a proven goalscorer and perhaps another midfielder after Hollman’s departure, while the future of Player of the Season Kealy Adamson is also in the air amid links with clubs in England.
Melbourne City
They are the champions, so what possibly could Melbourne City need?
Steven Ugarkovic has departed. A key pillar in midfield and instrumental in their Grand Final triumph, his exit leaves a big hole and with doubts over Jimmy Jeggo’s long-term future, a midfield body seems to be a necessity.
City have showcased their academy and youth program incredibly well following a number of graduates contributing well in the first team; expect to see more come through with a sprinkle of experience throughout the titleholders’ side.
Marco Tilio’s loan deal has expired, but the club are reportedly hoping he returns. If not, the forward areas could be set to be bolstered.
Melbourne Victory
There are going to be a few changes at Victory after back-to-back Grand Finals.
Kasey Bos (Mainz) and Daniel Arzani (Ferencvaros) have earned moves to Europe, leaving Victory short at full-back and in attack. Then there is out-of-contract forward Bruno Fornaroli.
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A new full-back, whether from within the academy or externally, is needed to replace Bos and the same can be said of Socceroo Arzani.
With captain Roderick Miranda advancing in years and Brendan Hamill recovering from a serious knee injury, further defensive reinforcements could be needed at AAMI Park.
Newcastle Jets
With a new coach, comes a new vision and new players to match.
With A-Leagues great Mark Milligan succeeding Robert Stanton at McDonald Jones Stadium, the young Australian coach is out to build on the work of his predecessor.
Lachie Rose was a revelation for the Jets following his return from injury last season but Newcastle need more firepower, especially amid speculation over the futures of Clayton Taylor and Eli Adams.
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As well as firepower, defensive improvement is needed. In Mark Natta they have one of the best young defenders in the competition, but they require further strengthening across the back four to improve on 44 goals conceded in 2024-25.
Perth Glory
David Zdrilic’s Perth Glory have wasted little time rebuilding in the off-season.
After consecutive wooden spoons, Glory have addressed a big problem by prising Vanuatu international defender Brian Kaltak from Central Coast Mariners along with former Manchester United youngster Scott Wootton and Sam Sutton.
Mark Birighitti, Callum Timmins and Arion Sulemani have also arrived in Western Australia.
The one thing Perth must do in 2025-26 is lighten the load on captain and talisman Adam Taggart, who scored 10 of the club’s 22 league goals last season, and score more goals.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC are a team on a mission after narrowly missing out on the 2024-25 Finals Series.
Despite their historic run to the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals, the Sky Blues finished outside of the top six.
Sydney still boast plenty of quality but they will have to address last season’s shortcomings without Golden Boot winner Adrian Segecic, who is reportedly off to Europe.
The young super-sub delivered 13 goals for Ufuk Talay’s side. Throw in Patryk Klimala who has also farewelled the Harbour City at the conclusion of this loan and that is two proven goalscorers out of the equation at Allianz Stadium.
Wellington Phoenix
Giancarlo Italiano has a new contract in Wellington, where the Phoenix boss will be looking to bounce back from missing the 2024-25 Finals Series.
It will require a rebuild after club great Kosta Barbarouses called time on his stint with the Phoenix, while Scott Wootton and Sam Sutton have also left.
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Straight off the bat, Wellington need a striker to fill the Barbarouses void. They also need a new centre-back and full-back in the aftermath of the Wootton-Sutton departures.
Given their lack of goals in 2024, forward additions and extra creativity will probably be on Chiefy’s list too.
Western Sydney Wanderers
CommBank Stadium was rocking in 2024-25 as Alen Stajcic’s exciting Wanderers reached the Elimination Final.
The challenge now is to build on that and replace some of the talent lost as a result of their success.
Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen) and star forward Zac Sapsford (Dundee United) have both departed for Scotland. Swedish striker Marcus Antonsson has also moved on. That is a lot of quality, goals and creativity to replace.
Western United
It was a history-making season for a youthful Western United outfit under Socceroos legend John Aloisi.
With a host of academy graduates, the Green and Black finished third before falling in the Semi-Finals to eventual champions Melbourne City.
Noah Botic spearheaded the memorable campaign with 15 goals but with the out-of-contract star reportedly set to move abroad, Western must fill the void left by the Socceroos hopeful.
Depending on if Angus Thurgate is lured away from Tarneit following his standout season, another midfielder could be on the radar, while adding some more depth to the full-back positions.
