A week out from the start of the Hyundai A-League season, Melbourne Victory are closing in on a signing which they hope can fill the enormous void left by Archie Thompson's absence for last season's runner-up.
So determined are the Victory to find the right man to fill Thompson's shoes that they have cast the net globally. While not letting on about anything specific regarding signings, coach Ernie Merrick said that the club is looking at players which fit the same mould as the mercurial Thompson, who has been the standout player for the club over the past five seasons.
"We're definitely looking overseas as we have got two visa spots. One we will use as a back-up player for (Matthew Kemp), and injury-replacement. But for a key player overseas, we’ve got the profile of what we want," Merrick said.
"We want fast, technically very good, dribbling types, someone that runs one-on-one, exciting the crowd. More or less Archie."
Merrick said while the club had no shortage of quick and skillful attacking players, it would not look to recruit a target man to complement the likes of Robbie Kruse, Mate Dugandzic and Marvin Angulo as it did with Nik Mrdja late last season
"Nik Mrdja is a very good type of player, but he's a different style of player who plays well in a different style of play with a target man involved. He did a good job for us in the short term, but you can see from that Robbie Kruse has fitted in, Mate Dugandzic is that type of striker," he said.
While there are plenty of young promising players out there, Merrick said that for this role he wanted an experienced player in the 25-30 age bracket who was able to step straight in.
"The balance of the squad is that we are bringing in more youngsters. That's brought a freshness about the team, but you rely on your senior players," he said.
"Up front, we've got Robbie and Mate who are 20 and 21. We are looking at experience, mid 20s thereabouts and we’re looking for quality. Someone who is ready to go."
Merrick defended the club's delay on signing a replacement for Thompson, saying Victory wanted to get the right player.
"It’s a tough market to be in, looking for a goal-scorer, a match winner, there wouldn’t be a football team in the world that doesn’t want another striker," he said.
"We don't have the budget that European teams, we can't compete with China, the K-League and the J-League for money. We've got to cast our net wide, which is what we’ve been doing."
Midfielder Billy Celeski said it was too much to expect any player to be able to step into the shoes of Thompson and believes the club's young players can fill the breach, at least for time being.
"I think there's no replacing Archie. He's a great player and you can't get someone who is going to step in and do what he does. I think it will allow other boys like Kruse and those guys to step up and make a name for themselves and take the club forward," he said.
Meanwhile, Kruse is feeling the extra pressure without Thompson this year, but believes he is up to the challenge.
"Archie's irreplaceable, he's the best striker the A-League has ever had. It's wanted pressure, I enjoy that. It’s definitely going to be exciting and I'm feeling fit and healthy, there's no excuses, hopefully I can produce and hopefully I can win games," he said.