Van't Schip hints at City shake-up

Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip confirmed he is thinking about how the team will look next season with a raft of players off contract, despite his primary focus being on the 2014-2015 finals.

Melbourne City coach John van 't Schip casts an eye over his team. (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

 

Of the 14 players that contributed in City's bright 0-0 draw with Wellington on Sunday, six don't have contracts for next season.

Goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, veteran stopper Kew Jaliens, utility players Safuwan Baharudin, Paulo Retre and Jonatan Germano as well as recently arrived French winger Harry Novillo aren't tied down.

Those six are part of a wider group of eleven players not signed up beyond this season.

With the exception of Slovenia star Robert Koren, all of the club's designated overseas Visa players are coming out of contract, giving coach John van 't Schip flexibility as he looks to build a squad to challenge for the next season's premiership.

With two A-League rounds remaining before the club's finals campaign, made certain by Perth Glory's expulsion, the Dutch coach said he was putting off decisions on who to cull and who to keep until season's end.

"It's important, you don't decide it in one day," Van 't Schip said. "We're talking about it and we're looking at it.

"It's not having our biggest thoughts, we're focussing on the football side on the pitch.

"There's time enough in a few weeks time because then we can really sit down and make decisions that we think are going to hopefully benefit for next year."

City captain Patrick Kisnorbo was also understood to be out of contract at season's end until Van 't Schip revealed the defender had secured another year by passing a trigger-point in his deal.

Kisnorbo hasn't missed an A-League match this season in his best campaign with the club.