Former Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge is expected to bring a glut of goals and some funky dance moves to Perth Glory, but fixing a leaky defence holds the key to the A-League Men team’s hopes of becoming a title contender.
Glory pulled off one of the greatest signings in the history of the competition when they snared Sturridge on a one-year deal.
Sturridge hasn’t played for 19 months and just how quickly he regains match fitness and touch remains to be seen.
But anyone with two Champions League titles to their name, along with 26 appearances for England, commands respect.
The 32-year-old will form a formidable attacking force with Uruguayan star Bruno Fornaroli, who has scored 74 goals in 124 league appearances.
Perth also have Spanish recruit Adrian Sardinero and former Irish international Andy Keogh as part of their attacking ranks, giving them an embarrassment of riches in the front third.
Sturridge has promised to leave his ego at the door and do whatever it takes to help the team.
Glory coach Richard Garcia has no concerns that Glory might become too Sturridge-centric.
“I don’t think we’re going to have that problem,” Garcia told AAP.
“He’s a fantastic player, but one thing that impressed me about Daniel was that it wasn’t about him, it was about the team and the team success.
“His values align with what we want for the club and the team.
“That’s something he’s made very clear, and we’ve made clear to him, that he’s part of the squad, and that we all pull in the same direction.”
Sturridge wants to become a hit with the fans, and has promised to pull out his trademark goal dance celebrations.
“The dance goes without saying. That’s going to be something that I’ll teach (the fans),” Sturridge said.
“I want to bring my personality to the country. I think it’s important for people to see who I am as a person.
“I’m very friendly, I like to interact with the fans.
“Sometimes players ostracise themselves and feel it’s best to stay away and not engage.
“For me I’m the opposite, I like to engage with the fans, I like to have banter.”
Garcia has promised to maintain his attacking ethos this season, believing his players thrive when given the freedom to express their creativity.
That proved the case early last season when Glory netted 18 goals in their first six games.
Perth finished the season with 44 goals from 26 games – the equal third best return in the league.
But they also conceded 44 goals – the third worst defensive record, with their defensive frailties resulting in them finishing ninth.
Garcia said the defence was his team’s biggest area of growth, and the addition of former Liverpool and Socceroos goalkeeper Brad Jones will help.
“He brings a lot of experience, a calm head, and some great information from behind the defence,” Garcia said of his former national teammate.
“He’s got plenty of experience to be able to show the group and be able to lead from the back.
“We still want to be attacking, we still want to be on the front foot. We just want to improve defensively.”
How Glory cope with some expected long stints on the road this season is a major question mark, with the club considering bringing a mental health expert along with them.
The exits of captain Diego Castro and attacking weapon Chris Ikonomidis hurt but Garcia is confident he has a squad capable of achieving success.
Brandon O’Neill’s addition to the midfield will cover the exit of Neil Kilkenny, while a fit Osama Malik looms as crucial after several injury-hit years.
Glory are a strong chance to score plenty of goals this season but can they plug the hole at the other end?
