Blues eye more reinforcements

Sliema Wanderers are engaged in efforts to further strengthen their squad in a bid to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season.

At a news conference in which Sliema officially presented their three new signings so far, Ian Azzopardi, Matthew Bartolo and Sharlon Pace, club president Robert Arrigo delivered an update on the Wanderers' efforts in the transfer market.

"The cancellation of Mauro Di Lello's contract has created a vacancy for a new foreign player," Arrigo told reporters at TeamSport in Iklin.

"We are working on two options and by next week, we hope to finalise a deal with one of our targets. With regards to our pool of Maltese players, we think that our squad is not complete yet. There is still the possibility of further transfer activity, both incoming and outgoing."

Goalkeeper Murphy Akanji, whose contract with Sliema expired at the end of last season, has yet to report for pre-season training but Arrigo explained the reasons for the Nigerian's delayed arrival.

"Akanji is in England with his wife who has had an operation," Arrigo said. "We're in regular contact with Murphy who has already confirmed to us that he wants to stay with Sliema but he will not play a part in the Euro Challenge Cup matches.

"Henry Bonello has replaced Akanji in the meantime and we're very happy with his performance in the game against Hibs (2-2)."

Invited to give his views on Valletta's assault on the transfer market, Arrigo said: "I'd rather not comment on other clubs. I'm only concerned with Sliema Wanderers."

Arrigo chose his words carefully when giving his reaction to the unsavoury comments Victor Sciriha, the Valletta president, directed at him during a social activity last Friday.

"We have copies of the video clips taken during the said activity," Arrigo said. "You do feel hurt by such comments but I take this opportunity to thank all those people who contacted me to express their support.

"I really don't think that those remarks reflect the objectives and values of sport."

For his part, Ray Farrugia, the Sliema coach, promised that his team will play a prominent role in the fight for the championship.

"First and foremost, I want to thank the president for his constant backing," Farrugia, who took over from Edward Aquilina as Sliema coach last October, said.

"The team has improved but I will be the first to admit that we can do better.

"As the president said, we are investing all our energies into making Sliema stronger. I am confident that the new signings, Ian, Matthew and Sharlon, who was on loan with us last year, will strengthen our team.

"I am confident that this season, Sliema will challenge seriously for the league title."

Farrugia later suggested that Sliema need to sign two more players to be really competitive.

"You need 18 quality players," Farrugia said. "During the course of a season, you have problems with injuries and suspensions and that's when the size of the squad comes into play.

"Personally, I think that with another two quality signings, we will be in a better position to reach our pre-set targets."

As for his aspirations for what promise to be two tough UEFA Cup matches against Bulgaria's Litex Lovech, Farrugia said: "The players have been working hard since the start of the pre-season but the UEFA Cup matches come too early for us. Our preparations for European commitments are not good enough due to a lack of friendly matches and restrictions related to training facilities.

"Needless to say that Litex are very strong opponents, one of the top teams in Bulgaria."

Donning Sliema's new diadora kits, new recruits Azzopardi, Pace and Bartolo said they have chosen to join the Wanderers because the team's ambitions to be successful match their own.

Sliema also announced yesterday that they have renewed their kit sponsorship agreement with TeamSport by another four years.

Both Arrigo and Jonathan Darmanin, managing director at TeamSport, had words of praise about their professional relationship over the last three years.

Joseph Micallef, kit manager of Sliema, presented Darmanin with a memento in appreciation of TeamSport's support for the team.

Also present for yesterday's press conference was Ronald Vella, Sliema's assistant coach.