It hasn’t always been easy for Chianese, who had three seasons as a youngster with Sydney FC before his release from the Sky Blues, and went on to have spells in the National Premier League NSW with Sydney United and Bonnyrigg, and then in Malaysia.

It was in South-east Asia where the striker regained his touch in a spell with Negeri Sembilan FA, eventually earning a move to Perth in 2016.

But the arrival of Popovic this season has spurred him on to greater heights. Chianese remembers being excited but also nervous when the former Western Sydney boss was first appointed as Kenny Lowe’s replacement last year.

"For me, it was a little bit exciting,” he said.

"We’d heard some stories about his time at the Wanderers, some good things and some bad things. Really a lot of us players weren’t sure what was going to happen, but there was a sense of excitement and it’s just paid off.

"Personally, he makes you really back yourself and believe in yourself. I think with me, I was having a lot of injuries which kept me out and I wasn’t getting a lot of consistent games, so you sort of start to doubt yourself a little bit.

"Even though you have the ability when you play, you’re playing well but then you pick up another injury and miss a month or two months, it sort of puts a dent in you and you start to doubt yourself.

"The boss here has just made sure that mentally you’re strong and tactically disciplined, it just goes a long way to making sure your mind is clear and then you can perform at your best."

Chianese is clearly happy in the west and in May re-signed with the club for another year.

"I really love the city, it’s been good to us,” he says.

"My fiancé loves the city as well and we’re really happy here. When I did sign I wasn’t sure who the coach was going to be here for this season, but when we did find out it was Poppa it was quite exciting.

"He just made it clear from day one of pre-season that he can see a lot of ability in me but I need to make sure I get through the pre-season and get through some of the tough times that are going to be ahead and it should pay off towards the end of the season.”

Known primarily as a winger or as a striker, Chianese's versatility has been a big asset for the Glory in 2018/2019.

"You’d like to cement yourself wherever it is, cement a spot and play out the year there week-in-week-out,” the Blacktown City junior admits.

"[But] I’ve been able to sort of fill in when we’ve been down on players, or had a few injuries or suspensions. I guess the boss has that faith in me and trust in me to do the job whether it’s one week at striker, then the next week playing as a left back.

"It just goes to show he trusts me and backs me to play wherever he puts me. Obviously I’ve found myself more comfortable as a striker or winger, but at the same I think being in such good shape and feeling really good allows me to play wherever the boss needs me to fill in.

"You have to make sure you’re ready for every week because you don’t know if the boss will pull you in and say you’re playing here or there this week. You’ve always got to be on your game, that’s for sure.”