Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat admits the club will do all it can to keep impressive Dutch import Leroy George at the club beyond this season.
George has proved a huge hit at the Big V this campaign, recording a league-high 12 assists in 20 matches, along with four goals.
And Muscat revealed that the club are in talks with George about extending his stay in the Victorian capital.
The boss has confirmed we're doing all we can to keep Leroy. https://t.co/9dkvObOxz2 #MVFC pic.twitter.com/f4F11Q5OsK
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) March 1, 2018
“We will do everything within our powers to keep him here and I certainly want him at the club,” Muscat told reporters on Thursday.
“I’m not surprised other clubs are interested. Leroy has been very good for us and his performance last week was outstanding.
“All conversations with him and his management will remain private but we want him to be a part of the setup going forward.
“He’s a bubbly character and well liked at the club. He keeps asking the boys to get more free-kicks closer to goal. Technically he is sound, he works very hard and his corners and free-kicks have been good for us this season.”
Victory will tackle cross-town rivals City in a blockbuster Melbourne Derby at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Muscat is expecting a physical encounter but feels his side’s niggly 3-0 win over Adelaide last weekend will serve as ideal preparation.
“The excitement factor is through the roof as it’s the final derby in front of a big crowd at AAMI Park. From our perspective it’s about building on our controlled performance from last week,” Muscat said.
“They are always [feisty] and they’re always built as the ‘biggest derby ever’. If anything, we had a bit of practice last week, because the Adelaide game was built on rivalry.
“My focus is entirely on tomorrow night. The players understand the risks of following a good performance but we’ve identified those risks.”
