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There are high hopes for Chianese, 22, who was a standout with six goals in nine games late last season.

And with new faces, an attack-minded new coach and a new city rival in the Wanderers, there’s a renewed feeling of optimism ahead of season eight, said the striker.

“I’ve had Ian Crook before in the youth team, he knows me pretty well, and how I play," Chianese told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“I think he is a fantastic coach, especially the ball drills and the small-sided games that he does are really sharp and intense.

“He is respected around here, obviously not everyone is going to like his decisions, like if you’re not playing, but he’s said that everyone has a clean slate, everyone has equal opportunity to make a starting spot theirs.

“It’s an exciting time and I think he will be perfect for the job.”

The squad were put through their paces with intensive fitness testing, including the beep test and the “yo-yo test”.

“Today was just about getting everyone together; we had a quick chat earlier on with “Crooky” (Ian Crook) just letting us know what he expects and how he is going to coach us, so we know how things are going to be," added Chianese.

However, missing from training were new signings Yairo Yau due to a visa issue and Kruno Lovrek who is expected to fly into Sydney later this week.

“The pre-season is always tough; it is not the most enjoyable time, but it’s part of the career,” the former Blacktown Demon added.

The lightning quick forward was brought through last season by then-coach Vitezslav Lavicka  and the starlet's goals helped drag the sky blues into an elimination final. 

There’s little doubt that Chianese is now considered one of the starting XI options after his late season surge.

And you sense he’s feeling confident, too.

“Last season was a bit different, I was new to the A-League and I didn’t have much of a chance to get into the starting team," he said.

"Hopefully I can get a start. I think we have the team that can push for the championship this season.

“We look great, we have some quality new signings, we have a lot of young players that are willing to work hard and play well. It’s exciting stuff, we have a new coach and a new system around the club.

He added: “ I really think we have got quality players who can go all the way. We have to have the goal to come first, and then obviously win the Grand Final. You have to think that you can do it, otherwise you’re not going to.

“Everyone wants to beat Sydney. Every game is going to be tough; I think we have the team that will be up for it."

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