Five talking points from Chennai’s frustrating stalemate with Kerala Blasters

3. Chennai ought to reinforce their wings

Chennai do have good players on the roster. In fact, they’ve retained the core of the title-winning season, of course with the exception of skipper Henrique Sereno. They have a decent backline and solid central options in Andrea Orlandi, Raphael Augusto and Anirudh Thapa. Even Jeje Lalpekhlua isn’t a particularly bad striker.

It’s down the flanks where they have major problems. Francisco Fernandes, it seems, only works well with the Dhanapal Ganesh-Bikramjit Singh double pivot operating behind him. Gregory Nelson isn’t starting many games with John Gregory choosing to start three foreign players at the back.

Thoi Singh, a predominantly defensive player, has been an ineffective winger, whereas 22-year-old Isaac Vanmalsawma, despite early promise, has failed to make a serious impact. Chennai now need to invest in an actual winger or a proper striker come January, as they’ll prove an embarrassment not just in India but in Asia as well.

Edited by Moderator -PJ