Troisi to Melbourne City? 'I don't think so' says Valkanis

Michael Huguenin

Troisi to Melbourne City? 'I don't think so' says Valkanis image

Melbourne City coach Michael Valkanis has denied his club are interested in luring Socceroos midfielder James Troisi across from Melbourne Victory.

A report in the Herald Sun this week claimed City and Sydney FC are tracking Troisi's situation, with the Victory playmaker out of contract at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has indicated a marquee contract will be what it takes to keep him at Victory beyond 2016-17.

Troisi happy with Socceroos return

Asked if there was any truth to speculation City would swoop on Troisi if he decides to leave Victory, Valkanis told Goal on Friday: "No. I don't think so."

City face A-League premiers Sydney FC on Saturday night in a match Valkanis considers vital to his team's fortunes, although he baulked somewhat at suggestions beating the Sky Blues might have mean more than three points.

"At the moment, this game - no matter who it would be - is important that we win. We need the result," he said.

Western Sydney Wanderers 3 Melbourne City 1

"It doesn't matter whether its Sydney or someone else, it's an important game for us moving forwards in terms of where we want to finish on the table.

"But Sydney are the benchmark this year of the A-League and they've performed extremely well, but we also believe in our ability playing against them because I think in the previous games we've done well."

After a disappointing 3-1 loss away to Western Sydney Wanderers last Friday, Valkanis admitted he and his coaching staff had asked some hard questions this week.

FFA Cup Final: Melbourne City 1 Sydney FC 0

"We feel at this stage that we have to make some change. We have to make some change and we'll probably do so now against Sydney in preparation for finals," he said.

Michael Jakobsen Melbourne City v Wellington Phoenix A-League 27112016

One change that won't occur is the return of centre-back Michael Jakobsen, who is still being nursed back from a calf injury.

Valkanis claimed he was "pretty confident" the Dane will play against Adelaide United next week.

 

Michael Huguenin