Melbourne Victory have embarked on a pre-season ‘Like No Other’, one that has seen some departures, already seen a match against one of the world’s most famous clubs and a chase for certain Italian and Greek marquee footballers. Yet more than a month remains before Victory kicks off its season with a Melbourne derby.

Marco Rojas has opted to develop his career in the home of arguably the best league in the world, Germany, at vfb Stuttgart. The club was linked to Giorgios Karagounis, who decided to remain at Fulham to take him through to the 2014 World Cup. Marcos Flores headed to Gosford to resurrect his career after being told his services are no longer required.

Billy Celeski has been one of the more quietly remarkable stories out of the football club in the past two years. Coming back from an ACL injury, Celeski endured a horror season in 2011/12 as he couldn’t find a fan anywhere around the park. He is 28, is not and likely will never be in Socceroos contention and will not have the chance to make the same money again in future. He is not irreplaceable and can go with this fan’s blessing.

Flores, who embraced the club and was credited with lifting morale around the group, was ultimately cast aside for a player who didn’t reciprocate the interest shown in him by Ange. Much bleating about loyalty is done when a player decides to head elsewhere, but that is a two-way street. He was the target of fan frustration on occasion, as a marquee man that is often the case. Playing in a ‘false nine’ role, Flores often dragged opposing defenders out of position for the striking duo of Rojas and Archie Thompson to exploit. The Victory may not have seen the best of him, but should be grateful for his service.

The A-League’s glamour club was also linked to controversial former Palermo striker Fabrizio Miccoli, only to narrowly miss out on his services to his hometown club of Lecce. The club needs to be wary of falling into pawns for footballers in transfer negotiations elsewhere. It is a shame that neither he or Karagounis will ply their trade in the A-League, neither would have much trouble dominating opposition defences or midfields.

Miccoli was said to be unveiled in the glamour friendly against Liverpool. The Melbourne Victory ‘skeleton squad’ took Liverpool on in a more than respectable 2-0 loss to the famed English club. Pre-game, a Liverpool fan remarked to this humble blogger “What do you think? 11-0 or 12-0?”. He was off the mark. An organized Victory was able to hold on to the ball, but just couldn’t finish off the good work. Liverpool played their part with a pretty strong starting XI, and added a sulky Luis Suarez into the mix late in the second half. All in all, it can only be judged as a pretty worthwhile experience, “You’ll never walk alone” and Steven Gerrard scoring a goal in my hometown, I can’t imagine what it was like for Aussie Liverpool fans.

So as those Karagounis and Miccoli ventures didn’t bear any fruit, who will fill the marquee role? The signing of Kosta Barbarouses adds further intrigue now. Prior to signing Barbarouses, a proven attacker was desperately needed but now that may no longer be the case. An experienced centre-back will complete a strong core in the centre of the park to add to Milligan and Thompson, one that can lead to a Premiership/Championship double. There is room to move, and there is time on their side. What’s doin, Lucas?

As the squad nears completion, the impression is that Milligan will be captain in 2013/14. Milligan hasn’t featured so far in pre-season fixtures, and Adrian Leijer has been playing in pre-season, but Leigh Broxham has worn the armband. So, two and two are put together. Newly-promoted EPL side Crystal Palace was reportedly keen on Victory’s most important player, with a fee of $1.5 million bandied about and subsequently knocked back. A devastating blow would have been dealt had Milligan left, but he hasn’t and he’ll be a very popular name in the AAMI Park terraces this season.

If the game against Liverpool is any indicator, youth will have an influence on Victory’s season 2013/14. Connor Pain was outstanding, even catching the eye of Brendan Rodgers. Jason Geria has also featured strongly this pre-season, in players like Pain and Geria, Jesse Makarounas, Francesco Stella and Andrew Nabbout, they will form the core of the Victory sides to come. The club has youngsters that are going to provide depth and a challenge for players that don’t perform.

When one door closes in Celeski, another opens and in walks Kosta Barbarouses. The former Brisbane winger is a direct replacement for Rojas on a wing. He left Brisbane Roar, arguably prematurely, for a stint in Europe at Russia’s FC Alania Vladikavkaz and on loan at famous Greek club, Panathinaikos. He won’t have much trouble slotting into this team, there are some big (or little?) shoes to fill however. Optimism abounds at the goals that Pain, Barbarouses and Thompson can provide.

A month and a half wait remains before we can head to the Melbourne derby. At the moment, here is my derby XI (4-3-3): Coe, Geria, Leijer, Ansell, Traore, Milligan, Broxham, Finkler, Pain, Thompson and Barbarouses. The selections of Traore and Finkler are the only ones with question marks as they return to fitness, but there is little doubt if they are fit to go, they play. Milligan, Broxham and Finkler together provide a balanced midfield that offers both steel and shine. Plenty of potential is in that forward line, Thompson going central will add pace and a goal threat that not many in the A-League can figure out how to stop.

The only real concern is the defence, no outside additions have been made. Sam Galloway and Geria will get first dibs at the full-back positions, should Traore not be right to go. Ansell had shown a composed presence last season, but Leijer's form will be just as important. Apart from Traore and Coe, there is no 'sure thing' in the Victory defence. You need all four defenders firing throughout the season, there is a very uncertain look to Victory's right now.

It has been far too long a wait, but bring on