ISL 2016: Marquee Players and what they add to their teams

#5 John Arne Riise – Chennaiyin FC

The former Liverpool full-back is one of the most loved players for the Kopites for his aggressive defending on the left side as well as his adventurous runs down the flank. The Norwegian footballer has been capped the most number of times for his national team, making him an absolute certainty in the squad.

Having won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2004-05, Riise knows what it takes to win at the biggest stage. Riise has also plied his trade for Italian team AS Roma and was known to be the go-to-player in big match scenarios. Riise played for the Delhi Dynamos last season, where he made 15 appearances and scored a goal.

With Bruno Pelissari and Elano Blumer no more with the Chennai team, Riise will have to play a crucial role with Djemba Djemba and Rafael Augusto for the defending champions in the midfield. Chennaiyin FC have no defensive or attacking issues as such, but with the exodus of important players, it would be interesting how Marco Materazzi prepares his team this season.

Riise is equally adept at playing in the defensive half of the midfield and could be seen playing that role at the franchise this season. If the defence gets the kind of security it needs from the former Liverpool star, Chennaiyin could well become the first team in ISL to defend its title.