I-League 2018-19: 3 reasons why Chennai City could script another Leicester in India

#2 'Foreigners'

Starting from left: Nestor Gordillo, Nauzet Santana, Roberto Eslava, Sandro Rodriguez, Pedro Manzi

Foreigners have been the mainstay of the I-League teams since its commencement. Okolie Odafa, Ranti Martins, Mahmoud Amnah, Chencho Gyeltshen and many others had a lot of contributions in the title-winning season of their respective teams. Chennai City FC management have done a tremendous job in recruiting foreigners who could execute Akbar Nawas's system. The Spanish goalkeeper Nauzet Santana and Roberto Eslava are the focal points of the system. Both are good with their feet. Santana, apart from being a good goalkeeper, he is a tremendous ball distributor. Eslava is a ball playing defender who starts the attack from the defense. He provides David Luiz-esque defense splitting long balls and is also a huge threat from the corners and free kicks.

Foreigners Scoring Chart

The attacking trio is the reason behind Chennai City F.C. scoring the maximum number of goals this season. Pedro Manzi, the captain has chipped in with 11 goals and 1 assist, scoring 3 hat-tricks in the process. He is also the joint top scorer along with Willis Plaza playing two games lesser. Nestor 'the speedstar' Gordillo wrecks havoc in the left wing troubling the defense with his speed and silky dribbling. He has bagged in 6 goals and 4 assists till now. Sandro 'the creator' Rodriguez is the playmaker and in charge of the free kicks and corners. He is the focal point of all the attacks. Jozef Kaplan is used scarcely, mostly to kill away the games.