Melbourne City defender Ivan Franjic says his club has the best facilities in the league as well as an advantage over other A-League clubs.
The swagger comes after denying any current thoughts about moving back to Europe in the future. The 28-year-old also acknowledged the premiership success the women’s team had on the weekend.
“The youth league won last year, now the women’s so now all the pressure moves to the men,” Franjic joked.
“To go through the season unbeaten is something special, the girls deserve every bit of accolade they’re getting.
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“I’m very happy at Melbourne City, you look here, it’s got the best facilities in Australia and the whole league put together, we’re miles ahead of every club.”
Franjic has endured an unlucky return to his home city, recovering from a soft-tissue injury to make his City debut in round seven, however the defender missed out on three weeks in the New Year due to a corked thigh.
In season 2015-16, City have been an attacking force but have broken down a number of times in the back line, leaking plenty of goals.
City fly to Newcastle to take on the Jets at Hunter Stadium on Sunday. Newcastle sit second-last on the table, affording City a golden opportunity to rise from third on the ladder.
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“From day one our intentions were to win the league, and nothing’s changed since then,” he said.
“We believe in ourselves and believe in our ability especially if we’ve scored 43 goals in 17 games, you can’t doubt our ability to go all the way.
“I think we just keep doing more of the same, we’re second on the league. It’s been working and we’re getting results. We’ve only lost two in the last 11.
“When somethings working for us, why stop. We copped four on the weekend but we also scored three against the leading team, if we can rectify those little problems it can be a result in our favour.
“It’s disappointing we’ve only kept one clean sheet all season, defending starts from up front, its 11 players that defend, the more they defend up there makes it easier for the backline to really step in.”
Off-contract Socceroo Alex Wilkinson is rumoured to be joining City for the remainder of the season. Wilkinson joined Korean giant Jeonbuk Motors in 2012 and has vast experience in Asia as well as international football.
Wilkinson’s involvement will mean more stability down back for City. Franjic has experience playing alongside the 31-year-old, notably at the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup. He says Wilkinson would be a great addition to the squad.
“Alex is a great player and you’re reading the paper yesterday there’s a possible chance of him coming here,” he said.
“We played together in the Socceroos, he’s a great professional and a good leader as well. If we do pick him up, he’ll be a great signing for the club.”
The Socceroos are likely to play England in the lead-up to Euro 2016 as well as a number of World Cup qualifiers, which Franjic hopes to be involved in.
“I definitely want to be back with the Socceroos,” he said.
“England’s a world class opponent, all I can worry about is playing well week in and week out, so if you’re playing well things will take care of itself.”
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