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It has been a roller coaster season for Kerala Blasters. They have seen it all - wins, losses, draws and injuries of course. Even after possessing a title winning side on paper, they haven't yet got the momentum to keep up with top sides like Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC who have proven themselves to be title contenders. After David James' arrival as head coach, the team seemed to have got their mojo back winning two away matches, but things started to drift away with back to back defeats to Jamshedpur and Goa.
Unfortunately, the Blasters lost the services of their star-striker Dimitar Berbatov and Ugandan midfielder Kizito Keziron half-way down the season. Striker Mark Sifneos was also released.
With an incomplete midfield, a Hume-dependent attack and the absence of an organised defence, Kerala's title hopes are fading quickly.
Despite all these odds, there are many who believe that with the help of their 12th man, the yellow army, they can still make it to the playoffs.
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Here are some players who can turn out to be their saviour.
#5 Arata Izumi
Though he is finding a tough time to find form and to find a way into the starting XI, the former ATK man can work wonders, if placed in a fitting position in the field. He was not able to get going as he was placed in a defensive role rather than an offensive one.
At ATK, the man made a name for himself due to his spectacular, match-winning performances. He is a versatile attack-minded player who can score as well as create goals.
Under David James, this man, if given the opportunity, can rise to the demands of his team. He can rise to the position of a midfield general, a profile that Kerala desperately needs.
#4 Jackichand Singh
This Indian international is another hope for Kerala this season. This sensational winger can set the wings on fire with his blistering pace and can feed the strikers with superb crosses. He can take a leading role in attack as well as help the wing-backs when needed.
He is brilliant player who can be a nightmare for defenders.This man can help Kerala to advance to the semi-finals if he is fine form.
He has also scored a cheeky goal against FC Goa, when Goa thumped Kerala 5-2. He is an experienced player and can guide the youngest players in the team.
It's all up to David James to make perfect use of his talents. If David manages to do so, Kerala can sharpen its attacking forces with Jackichand as the game changer.
#3 C.K Vineeth
Yes, It's the local lad, last season's Indian top scorer, C.K Vineeth. He is the revelation that Kerala needs urgently. When in form, then there's nothing to worry for the coach. He'll take care of the rest. He is the kind of player every manager has in their wish list.
He scores, he creates. That is who C.K Vineeth is. He elevates the team to a different level.
His shot accuracy is superb and he has mean power-packed grounders in his bag of skills as well. Besides, he has a passion for the sport which you don't often see in many players. In short, he is a typical goal hunter.
If he finds the back of the net a few times, then that's bad news for his opponents. He might rise to lead the turn-around trend for Kerala.
#2 Gudjon Baldvinsson
The Icelandic attacking ace has just made it to the team. But, he has gelled in with the team perfectly in such a short period. He might just be the man the team was looking for. He was also involved in one of the goals against Delhi recently which would have definitely left a nice first impression.
He has all the qualities of an ideal striker - physique and skills and much more. Who knows, he might be the man for Kerala Blasters this season. He had scored a staggering tally of 12 goals in 19 appearances with his former team, Stjarnan.
Gudjon arrived into the hearts of Kerala fans not as a replacement but someone more than it, one who might prevent the Kerala ship from sinking.
If he is given a chance, he might prove himself to be a game changer for Kerala Blasters.
#1 Iain Hume
He is the one. He can single-handedly take a team to victory. He had overcome one of the most dangerous injuries in football with sheer passion for the sport.
He is a player who puts the team first before his individual needs. He had shown signs of revival with a hat-trick against Delhi Dynamos, a goal against Mumbai City FC and so on.
If he gets to the peak of his form, he will be unstoppable. He has that craving for goals that every striker must have. If he has his scoring boots on, then Kerala will surely reach the finals and maybe they might even become champions.
He is also a born leader. He has tons of experience, gained by playing in English leagues and so on.
The Canadian international can be the much-awaited game changer for Kerala Blasters.
