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Very few of them have stayed with Chennaiyin FC to enjoy two silverware for the fifth consecutive season because there has been plenty of squad tweak under the management of current coach John Gregory.
The signings have been top-notch which helped him win the league in his debut season in the subcontinent. The likes of Henrique Sereno and Bikramjit Singh played a huge part in the title success. But, they have decided to look elsewhere in order to assay a new challenge.
Despite these two outgoings, there is no doubt about the quality available at stack within the team. In addition to that, the arrivals of Eli Sabia, Andrea Orlandi, Carlos Salom and Ngasepam Tobonda Singh have bolstered the squad even further.
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As the new season is about to kick off in two weeks time, let's look at the five key outfield players who could have total ascendancy within the team and assist the blues to challenge for the title once again.
#5 Jeje Lalpekhlua (Striker)
Jeje Lalpekhlua has been marching with the blue jersey since the inception of the club in 2014. The Mizoram striker is the second highest scorer in the Indian Super League with 22 goals from 4 seasons.
The 27-year-old has been the integral cog of Marco Materazzi and John Gregory's attacking system. Under the Italian, the forward played a supportive role to Stiven Mendoza up front which paved way for the first ISL title.
But, the current Chennaiyin FC manager is much dependent on Jeje's outcome as he has full faith in the strikers' goalscoring ability. His trust got paid off as the forward was able to find the back of the net seven times and assist once from 17 games.
Hold up play, competence to pick out passes and banging in goals - Jeje Lalpekhlua has got it all as a striker.
The front four including Raphael Augusto, Gregory Nelson, Francesco Fernandes and Jeje will be expected to be involved in goals galore.
#4 Inigo Calderon (Right-Back)
Inigo Calderon has stamped his authority in Indian soil after spending six years at England with Brighton and Hove Albion. The Spanish international might be aged 36, but there is no match to his athleticism.
The defender possesses extravagant qualities by averaging 2 interceptions and 2.2 tackles per game.
His overlapping runs and adeptness to break oppositions defense makes him reliable week in week out.
Francisco Fernandes and Inigo Calderon have combined well through the right flank to cause havoc to oppositions defense by stowing in many crosses to find Jeje Lalpekhlua.
The Spanish International is a set piece taker for the blues and opened his account against FC Goa during the first game for the blues, and went on to secure another two further.
His defensive and offensive contributions towards the game makes him one of the best full-backs in the league.
#3 Gregory Nelson (Left Winger)
Gregory Nelson's chant used to reverberate inside the consortium when the Dutch winger dazzles his way through to beat defenders with such panache.
He might have scored only one goal throughout the season, but his ability to carry the ball with total whoosh has increased the goal tally for his side.
The Dutch winger started 15 games for the Champions last season and ended up in the winning side on nine occasions.
The blues bagged only four points from possible 10 when he was not included in the starting eleven. This showcases the importance of Gregory Nelson in this side.
His link-up play with Raphael Augusto and Jeje Lalpekhlua was a treat to watch and the 30-year-old forward will be looking to carry his same form from last season by hitting the ground running from day one.
#2 Anirudh Thapa (Central Midfielder)
Chennaiyin FC midfielder Anirudh Thapa was signed from AIFF Elite Academy in 2016. His maturity at the tender age of 19 was visible to John Gregory. The midfielder featured 17 times for the reigning champions last season and scored two goals in the process.
The English manager decided not to offer a new contract for midfielder Bikramjit Singh, who was in heart of the midfield along with Dhanpal Ganesh.
The former Chennaiyin midfielder started 13 games last season and lost none. Whereas, the record without him looks bleak with four defeats from seven games.
He was immense in the middle of the park by making the transition happen smoothly between the offense and the defense.
Thapa's performances with his national team have been phenomenal in recent months and the side from Chennai have put their reliance on the young midfielder who is ready to take the place of his former colleague.
#1 Mailson Alves (Centre-Back)
The reigning champions failed to reach an agreement with Henrique Sereno to bring him back to the Marina Arena for the second time.
This blow stipulated the coach John Gregory to hand over the captain's armband to the Brazilian powerhouse Mailson Alves.
Sereno and Mailson formed an excellent partnership at the back for Chennaiyin FC by conceding 22 goals from 19 games.
But, the blues defense without Sereno did not look convincing to say the least as they shipped two goals per game on a couple of occasions last season. Stats don't say much, but his absence was clearly visible when was not on the pitch.
John Gregory decided to sign Eli Sabia as the Brazilian defender prepares to spend his second stint with the club, having already had done during the 2016 season.
This adds more weight to Mailson's shoulders who is expected bigger things along with his compatriot Eli Sabia at the back to form a formidable partnership like he did with the Portuguese Henrique Sereno which lead to the Championship success.
