MELBOURNE CITY’S A-League semi-final exit won’t have pleased the City Group, but the club is already trying to turn the club’s fortunes around with a new marquee plan.

City had arguably the best squad in the competition this season but were only able to muster a fourth-place finish and consequential 4-1 finals defeat at the hands of grand finalists Adelaide United.

Fox Sports commentator Simon Hill told the Fox Football podcast that he believes the Melbourne team underachieved this season.

“Given the squad that they I think they should’ve finished top two this season minimum,” said Hill.

“I know that the City Football Group, one of their KPIs is to be in the Asian Champions League. That’s where their brand gets the biggest resonance. It’s simple economics.”

But Melbourne City won’t feature in the Asian Champions League next season after finishing fourth.

Melbourne City leave the pitch after their semi-final defeat to Adelaide United. Source: Getty Images

Bruno Fornaroli’s 25 goals and Australian marquee Aaron Mooy’s 21 assists weren’t enough to take their team to the top of the table or to the season’s final match, and now the club is working on way to add depth to their squad.

City are in contact with Football Federation Australia to create a new marquee position for next season, said Fox Sports commentator Mike Cockerill.

“Melbourne City are pushing the FFA and have the support of the other owners for a new [marquee] category next season,” said Cockerill.

“A foreign under 20 player, which is their way of getting Manchester City’s youngsters out. That's what they hope to get out of the FFA.”

It’s a bumper finale to the Fox Football Podcast season as Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Mike Cockerill talk all things A-League while Daniel Garb and David Weiner chat EPL.

That would give the Melbourne club potential access to players such as 19-year-old Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored nine goals for the Citizens this season. It could also open the door for City’s other up-and-coming youngsters, such as David Faupala and Manu Garcia, to earn professional gametime in the A-League.

And Simon Hill believes City will have backing from other clubs.

“They will have support of course from the Mariners who have a tie-up with Everton and wanted to do something similar,” said Hill.

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates a goal for Manchester City. Source: Getty Images

Hill said it provides a good option to navigate around the inability to bring big name Manchester City players to Australia.

“Their reasoning is they can’t bring out established players from the first-team squad because of the metrics of the finances, the salary cap.

“So it has to be the youngsters if they’re going to make the most of the tie-up.”

While Melbourne City currently have Aaron Mooy as the club’s Australian marquee, no player filled the foreign marquee spot. And Hill believes that the club should change that as soon as possible.

“They’ve got that wealth,” said Hill.

“They’re the one team in the league who can be spending whatever they want on marquee players and they should be doing it. Because not just to grow their own crowds but to grow the league’s as well.”

Aaron Mooy. Source: Getty Images

And signing a big marquee would go a long way to solving some of the issues that are still holding the club back from growing at a faster rate.

“Their crowds were disappointing,” said Cockerill.

“These are ongoing issues. Sooner or later they’re going to get it right because the A-League needs to them to get it right. They improved on some benchmarks from last year but when you’ve got the resources they do you’re not going to be that patient.”

City fans cheer during the A-League Elimination Final match. Source: Getty Images

Hill acknowledged that Melbourne City’s crowds are growing - averaging over 11,000 this season - and that they also have the “best training facility in the country.” But that doesn’t mean they’re not lagging behind the City Group’s timeline for the club.

“I think they’re a little behind schedule after two years,” said Hill.

“There is a lost a similar timeline of slow and steady growth in the early phase and when they click into gear it accelerates somewhat.”

Could a massive marquee be a catalyst for their accelerated growth?

Sensational Sunday line-up on Fox Sports 505

7.30am EDT: Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United grand final

8.30am EDT: Western Sydney v Central Coast grand final

9.30am EDT: Brisbane Roar v Central Coast grand final

11.00am EDT: Wanderers v Roar semi-final

1pm EDT: Roundtable

2pm EDT: Season Review special

3pm EDT: Grand Final pre-game show

4pm EDT: Grand Final

9pm EDT: Liverpool v Swansea

11.05pm EDT: Manchester United v Leicester