'Go-to man': Sydney FC out to stop returning Socceroo

But their eyes are fixed on the Reds' star signing who returns to United from a two-year stint in the Saudi Pro League. 

Grant said Goodwin will be Adelaide's "go-to man", so nullifying him is key to starting the season off on the right foot. 

"I thought I had had enough of Craig, it's probably his fourth or fifth stint back at Adelaide, so it's great to have him back in the league," Grant told reporters at the Sky Blues season launch on Friday. 

"He's obviously a great player and has done so many good things, not only for the national team but also for the A-League.

"Our big focus is defence at the moment, making sure that we get him nullified."

Sydney FC had a disappointing end to last season, missing out on finals despite being tipped as one of the teams to win the A-League title. 

During the offseason they also lost some big names such as midfielder Douglas Costa, star goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne and Socceroo Anthony Caceres. 

However, Grant believes the off-season recruitment of more experienced heads such as former Western United captain Ben Garuccio and former Ligue 1 player Marcel Tisserand, will propel them back into the finals.  

The 34-year-old said defence has been a key focus of the Sky Blues' 17-week pre-season, after the side leaked 46 goals last campaign. 

"It does feel like a bit of a freshen up, we lost some really good players," Grant said. 

"Even at the ripe old age of 34, I feel pretty fresh and will give it another crack.

"We've always been able to score goals, so that's no problem. We've still got some great quality up front and in the midfield to do that.

"We brought up some players that are really good defensively. 

"We've got a few experienced players that help me a lot, people to lean on, people to help make decisions and different things around the change room."

Coach Ufuk Talay said greater depth in the team is giving him the belief  the side can go all the way. 

"One thing that we definitely learned last year was that we needed that depth, and I think we've created that environment this year where we've doubled up and tripled up in some positions across the park," Talay said. 

"The first four games are very important for us ... if we can pick up maximum points in the first four games, that would be great."