ISL 2017: 5 reasons why Kerala Blasters can win the title

India's most popular football tournament, the Indian Super League (ISL), is set to kick-start its new installment on November 17th. With the tournament expanded this season, there will be 10 teams, we will witness an intense battle for the title.

The two-time runners-up Kerala Blasters have spent some big money this season and have bagged some big names on their roster. With René Meulensteen, who worked with Manchester United's legendary manager Alex Ferguson, at the helm of the Yellow Army, the Blasters are one of the favorites to lift the silverware this year. The ever energetic fans at Kochi will hope that with their never-ending support, the Blasters will turn luck by their side this season.

Now, let us see five reasons that make Kerala Blasters one of the title challengers.

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#1 CK Vineeth, Ian Hume and Dimitar Berbatov (CID)

Kerala Blasters had won the hearts of the fans by retaining their favorite star CK Vineeth as the local boy had a huge role to play in the team reaching finals last time around. Ian Hume, the top scorer in the Indian Super League and the fans' all-time favorite star has returned to the Yellow Army.

Dimitar Berbatov has been a star in the English Premier League and has played for some big clubs around the world like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco. Berbatov has scored 280 goals for his clubs and also 48 goals from 78 games for his national team, and has a lot of firepower left in him to fire for the Kerala Blasters.

With Dimitar Berbatov joining the stars of the of ISL -- CK Vineeth and Ian Hume, Blasters fans will hope that the new attacking trio CID will put the ball in the opposition net often this season

#2 Strong Indian contingent

Indian players at training session (Image courtesy: Kerala Blasters)

For the past three seasons, the Kerala Blasters have not had many impact players from India. Sandesh Jhingan, CK Vineeth, Mehtab Hossain and Mohammed Rafi are the only players who have had an impact in the Blasters squad.

For the new season, the Blasters have retained their stars Jhingan and Vineeth, and have also recruited some good young Indian players from the draft.

31-year-old goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, local boy Rino Anto, 22-year-old I-League winner Lalruatthara, midfield maestro Milan Singh, Jackichand Singh and Arata Izumi are some of the stars that were bagged by the Blasters and all of them have the quality to get into the starting line-up.

Apart from these stars, the Blasters have bagged some local talents like Ajith Sivan and Prasanth Karuthadathkuni. This Indian contingent can surely help the Yellow Army clinch the title.

#3 Solid defence

Sandesh Jhingan

The Blasters were able to retain the best Indian defender, Sandesh Jhingan prior to the season. He had been the main man in defence for the Blasters for the last three seasons, helping them reach the finals two times.

Apart from Jhingan, the Blasters have bagged former Manchester United star Wes Brown. The 38-year old defender will provide much-needed experience to the Blasters back line.

Rino Anto was the Blasters' first pick from the draft and that shows that they have given a lot of importance to the defence this season. Serbian Nemanja Laki?-Peši? and I-League winner Lalruatthara have all added strength to the Blasters back line.

#4 René Meulensteen

René Meulensteen with Sir Alex Ferguson

René Meulensteen, the man who was chosen to lead the Blasters for the fourth edition of the Indian Super League, will have a crucial role to play this season. Given his stint at Manchester United with manager Alex Ferguson, he has a lot of experience with him.

Meulensteen has also managed clubs like Brøndby IF in Denmark, Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, Fulham and Maccabi Haifa. He had a crucial role to play in bringing Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov to the Kerala-based team. His tactics and experience with some of the best players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will have a huge role to play for Blasters this season.

#5 Fans - Kerala's 12th man

Kerala Blasters fans

Kerala Blasters fans are one of the best in the country and have gained praises from around the world for high turnouts at the stadium. They have always supported their team and this time around, with new rivalries, the fans are all set to support their side with vigour. The fans group Manjappada are already out with songs, chants and new banners for the team.

The Manjappada have their supporters around the country and abroad, and will support their team in their matches around the country, which will prove crucial.