Tranquillo Barnetta will be asked to fill a few different roles during his first full season with the Philadelphia Union.

The 31-year-old Swiss international, who joined the club in July, is expected to step into the middle of Jim Curtin’s attacking formation as a replacement for Cristian Maidana, who was traded to Houston in December.

Barnetta’s shift into the middle of the field isn’t the only change in the Union attack this season. Chris Pontius, Walter Restrepo and Ilsinho are among the newcomers fighting for spots versus incumbents Sebastien Le Toux, C.J. Sapong and Barnetta.

“We’re working hard and we of course have a couple of new guys and it will take some time to figure out how they think on the field,” Barnetta said of the attack. “We know that not everything is perfect yet, but if we keep going like this, we’ll be ready for the first game.”

Barnetta will also be asked to step into more of a leadership role at the start of the season while Maurice Edu recovers from offseason surgery.

Becoming one of the top mentors on a young team is something Barnetta embraces heading into the 2016 season.

“I always try to help guys next to me and I think it’s important that every guy on the field, no matter how old he is, should do this,” the midfielder said. “Of course with the experience, you try more and you try to show a little bit of direction. It’s important the guys with experience on the field show where we have to go. It’s not like if some guy is missing or not, I always try to do this.”

Another change involving the Union as a whole in 2016 is the arrival of sporting director Earnie Stewart, who has brought a new approach to the franchise.

“He tried to make everything more professional also around the field,” Barnetta said. “Everyone has to feel comfortable to perform their best. It’s a good start. There’s a lot for us to do. You can’t change it in two or three weeks. It’s a good start. I like how it grows the club and that’s the best thing for a team.”

Barnetta has also been impressed with the crop of young players that have come into the squad via the MLS SuperDraft.

“They work hard. They have a lot of qualities. Even in the games you see, they give everything they have and try to improve every practice,” Barnetta said. “I think every one of them knows that they have to continue. I’m happy to work with the young guys because they are listening and I try to help them. We have a nice group that works hard.”

With a positive attitude to begin the season, the Union will look to take points from their first two matches, both of which are on the road, against FC Dallas and Columbus.

“We try to make a good start,” Barnetta said. “That’s for us, not to show someone else, because it’s a long season. Even if you win a game, I don’t think the whole league will look at you and say we are afraid of them.”