Hero Super Cup Qualifiers: Kerala Blasters FC vs Indian Arrows - 5 Talking Points as Amarjit Singh Kiyam packs a punch

#4 Blasters must cut losses with lacklustre recruitment

Kizito was completely outfoxed in midfield

One of the most evident issues with the Kerala Blasters has been their recruitment policy this season. In fact, none of their foreigners, including the ones retained from last season, have stepped up and made a strong impression until now.

Plenty of hope rested in the boots of Matej Poplatnik and Slavisa Stojanovic after their impressive debut against ATK during the inaugural game of the ISL season, but the pair have flattered to deceive on the whole.

On the other hand, the likes of Cyril Kali and Nikola Krcmarveic have been plagued by injuries from time to time and have failed to give enough evidence to show why they must still be given another season to rewrite their fortunes at the club.

The same applies to the three foreigners, who were retained from last season in the form of Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Courage Pekuson and Keziron Kizito.

Lakic-Pesic has been a disappointment this term and is far from the likes of a Cedric Hengbart or Aaron Hughes from the past. The Croatian’s decline has been substantial and he would find it difficult to get into most ISL sides based on the merit of his performances.

Pekuson and Kizito have enjoyed a slight resurgence under Nelo Vingada, but the pair have been sparingly used all season and it does not make a lot of sense to retain them again if they are going to be average bit-part players, who are there to make up the numbers.

The Blasters should be eyeing up changes for the next season and it should ideally start with investing in better quality rather, than opting for an experimental recruitment policy that has backfired tremendously this season.