Sydney FC has recently completed the signings of two new visa players for Graham Arnold’s 2015-16 squad, with Slovakian international Filip Holosko and Serbian Milos Ninkovic both signing to the Sky Blues.
The club has recruited Filip Holosko from Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas JK. Holosko comes to Sydney as the new marquee, replacing Marc Janko on a two-year deal. He spent eight years with Besiktas, notching 42 goals in 144 Super Lig games and 55 goals in 187 goals in all competitions for the club.
“I am delighted to announce Filip Holosko as our international marquee for the next two years,” Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow said.
“The signing of Holosko is the latest in a long list of first class marquee players to have worn the Sydney FC shirt. Graham Arnold was very specific in type of attacking player he wanted, and we are delighted to have been able to secure Filip for the club. We look forward to watching him play a major role in our bid to become Hyundai A-League Champions in 2015-16 and 2016-17.”
The Slovak brings a wealth of experience to the club and A-League, having played in both of UEFA’s premier competitions – the Champions League and the Europa League. Holosko has also represented his country 65 times, with whom he is still playing for in their quest to qualify for the 2016 European Championships.
Graham Arnold has brought in the striker for the versatility he provides around the goal.
“Filip is a multi-functional player who can play anywhere across the front line,” he said.
“He fits the requirements of what I was looking for. He comes with a top pedigree having played for a massive club in Turkey and brings a lot of international experience to the squad. He has the style of a strong and fast player who I am sure will excite the fans. He’s also at a great age and is hungry for success,” Arnold concluded.
The signing of Holosko provides an interesting discussion point amongst the club’s fans. Most believe he has been brought in to be the primary striker, however, his goal scoring record is none too impressive. In eight years with Besiktas, he averaged only 5.25 goals per season in the Super Lig. Holosko’s average in all competitions is not any better, with his average slightly increasing to 6.86 goals per season.
Like Janko, Holosko has endured a tough time of late in Turkey. His recent season-long loan at Caykur Rizespor yielded two goals in 25 games. Compare that to Janko, who in has last two seasons in Turkey scored twice in 23 games. Given that they have similar stories, there is no reason to expect that Holosko will be a failure at Sydney FC. Undoubtedly, Arnold has a keen eye for talent and he has a good record in identifying quality players.
The coach’s recruitment strategy for the 2015-16 campaign is designed to allow flexibility in attack, whether it is week-to-week or whether it is mid-game.
“The intention is not to play Filip at number nine, it’s to play him on the right to replace Bernie Ibini in that role. ‘Smeltzy’ or Brosque can handle striker,” said Arnold.
Janko’s presence in the squad meant that, even though Sydney were able to finish second in the Premiership and runners-up in the Championship, the squad was fairly one-dimensional in attack. They regularly attacked down the flank, whipping in crosses for Janko to finish. The tactic worked well as the Austrian scored 16 goals in the 21 games he played. The beauty of Holosko’s signing, as with some of the other new players Arnold has signed, is that all of them can play in a variety of positions.
“Holosko can play seven, nine or 11 and Ninkovic can play 10 or 11. Hoole can play seven, 10 or 11 and [Chris] Naumoff can play seven or 11. [Alex] Brosque can play 10 or nine and so can [Shane] Smeltz,” Arnold said.
“So we can vary our front line for any game and even during the game and that’s what I wanted to go with this year – more variety. I’ve got it in my mind what I want and how we want to play, in terms of a best XI, but I’ve also got the ability to change things.”
Milos Ninkovic, the club’s other new arrival, also adds further versatility in attack. Ninkovic has signed on a two-year deal and can play as a central or attacking-midfielder, or even as a left-winger.
The 30-year-old’s signing is another that excites Arnold for the season ahead.
“I’m so excited that Milos is coming to Sydney FC,” he said.
“He’s got a wonderful pedigree, last year he played in the top league in France and the 2010 World Cup and he shows the type of quality we want at Sydney FC.
I’m excited after talking with him, he’s a great guy, and I’m looking forward to working with him. I’m confident that he will be a standout in the A-League.”
As with Holosko and Janko, Ninkovic brings a wealth of experience with him to Sydney FC. He spent his youth at Cukaricki, having graduated through their academy to play for their first team, spending the bulk of his career at Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev. Following that, he saw a season at Serbian Super Liga club Crvena Zvezda, where he won the league, adding to the two league titles, three cup victories and four Super Cup wins recorded with Dynamo Kiev. The stint at Crvena Zvezda was sandwiched between two campaigns at French club Evian.
Ninkovic has also represented Serbia 28 times and at 30-years of age, Arnold, his new teammates and the fans should see the best of him over the next two seasons.
The coach has quietly built on his attacking stocks, having brought in Andrew Hoole as well in addition to Holosko and Ninkovic.
“He can play 11, coming inside, or 10 or seven. We’re using him at the moment at training at seven. He’s comfortable anywhere. He’s got so much talent and I’m excited to work with him, said Arnold of the former Newcastle Jet.
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“Technically, he’s got everything. Now he’ll get the physical work he needs and the weights program he needs to get stronger and more powerful and the one thing lacking is his finishing and we’ll work on that.”
If Sydney’s 2014-15 season in an attacking sense was exciting, one can only dream of what to expect from them this time around. With Hoole, Naumoff, Brosque, Smeltz, Holosko and Ninkovic providing the attacking dynamic, along with Terry Antonis and Mickael Tavares locking the midfield, 2015-16 looks bright for the Harbour City club.
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