A wave of optimism fills the training ground, as Socceroos and a new figurehead in Tony Popovic project an aura of professionalism. Could next season belong to Perth?

While Santalab has only been at the club for a matter of days, the 35-year-old reveals that the buzz around the playing group is almost palpable, thanks in part to the presence of Popovic. 

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The veteran striker heaped praise on Glory’s new boss.

"Popa played a huge part in getting me over to Perth," Santalab told FourFourTwo.

"Having worked with him at Western Sydney for a number years, he’s someone I’m very familiar with - I knew it would make the transition to Perth easy for me.’

"When you sign Tony Popovic as your manager, it’s a statement that you’re after trophies and success - I share that same ambition, and that’s ultimately what made my decision to sign for Perth an easy one."

This time last season, a familiar energy pervaded the air at Western Sydney, as Socceroo Josh Risdon emerged and the shortcomings of the previous campaign seemed a distant memory. 

The mood quickly dissipated following Popovic’s shock departure to Turkey.

Josep Gombau stepped up to the plate, but murmurings of player discontent and a radical change to the groundwork laid down by Popovic in pre-season saw the Spaniard lose the dressing room. According to Santalab, things went pear-shaped after Popovic embarked on his Turkish adventure.

"Certain managers sometimes don’t work at clubs, they don’t fit - I think that was the situation with Josep," he said

"Anyone who got the job after Popa was going to struggle. It didn’t work and we didn’t have a great season, but that's in the past now, these things happen in football."

A move to Perth may prove the perfect swansong for Santalab’s football journey - a storied career that includes more than 30 goals in China, an Asian Champions League title and Western Sydney Wanderers’ all time goal scoring record. 

Santalab was a favourite of the RBB

Deprived of trophies in the A-League era, and still eager to atone for what the club sees as the injustice of the 2012 Grand Final, a new era of ambition beckons Glory, and Santalab is eager to be a part of it.

"I’m a realist, and I think a top two spot is achievable," Santalab added.

"There’s nothing to fear, we’re having a great pre-season under Popa, the game against Chelsea is a nice little prelude to the season but it all starts with the FFA Cup.

"It’s all about trophies for me and the Cup presents a huge opportunity to make a statement early on against Victory - we need to go for it.’

Santalab’s Perth Glory will take on Premier League giants Chelsea on Monday, July 23 at Optus Stadium.

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