One of the more successful teams in the India Super League, the Abhishek Bachchan and MS Dhoni owned team, Chennaiyin FC is the defending champions heading into the 2016 season. With key players Elano Blumer (returned back to Santos) and Mendoza (loaned out to New York City FC), who scored the winner in injury time to give Chennaiyin the title last year, leaving the club, the South Indian club needs a slew of quality players to retain the title.
We take a look at five such players who can make a mark in the ISL:
1) Sunil Chhetri (FWD, India)
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Who better to lead the defending champions’ attack than the current best Indian player? With all the speculation on Bengaluru FC not releasing their players for the ISL, there is minute hope/expectation for this transfer to take place.
However, anything and everything can happen in football and we definitely want to see the Indian talisman in action in the ISL. Standing at 170 cm (5 ft 7 inches), Chhetri is one of the smaller players in the game. Blessed with a combination of good pace and dribbling abilities, Chhetri can be a nuisance for any defender.
His take-ons are excellent to watch and can pass brilliantly as well. Shooting abilities need no explanation for a man who has scored 50 times in 90 games for his country. Chhetri is also captain material making him the most versatile Indian player. A multi-faceted player, the lad from Secunderabad can do wonders to the Chennai club.
2) Diego Forlan (FWD, Uruguay)
One of the greatest strikers of the modern era, Diego Forlan has had some amazing moments as a player. Winning the ‘Golden Ball’ in the 2010 FIFA World Cup for being the top scorer and winning the European Golden Shoe twice signifies his abilities. Forlan is an experienced campaigner. He has played over 500 games at club-level which includes playing for Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
A tall, well-built striker, Forlan has exceptional shooting skills. His ability to fend the opposition is brilliant. He is a constant threat aerially and can whip up some mean crosses. An ultimate team man, Forlan tracks back well and performs his defensive duties diligently.
Possessing tremendous stamina, Forlan can easily last the full 90 minutes. With a fit and firing striker like Forlan, Chennaiyin FC can become unstoppable.
3) Gabor Kiraly (GK, Hungary)
What can I say about the 41-year-old man who wears sweatpants! Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly became the oldest man to play in the European Championship when he helped his country to a 2-0 victory over Austria in their first Euro 2016 group match.
Kiraly further made some stunning saves in the 3-3 draw against Portugal. Although his team were humbled 4-0 by Belgium one night back, it was Kiraly who made a string of spectacular saves stopping the score from looking like a cricket score. Probably having played his last ever international match, retirement is beckoning for the Hungarian hound.
With a shortage of quality keepers in the ISL, Kiraly will be the perfect player to get a contract. With his experience, (well, he started playing international football even before I was born! ) Chennaiyin FC can become invincible.
4) Mehtab Hossain (CDM, India)
One of the mainstays in Indian football, central defensive midfielder Mehtab Hossain has over a decade of experience. Having played for East Bengal since 2007, he has represented the club a further 103 times and has scored 7 goals in the process.
He has represented India 29 times and has scored twice. However, In 2015 Mehtab retired from international duty after being omitted from the 26-man squad for the World Cup Qualifiers. Hossain possesses good tackling skills and retains possession, his passing is terrific as well.
Defensively, he does a decent job of covering the centre-halves. He is at his best when he is attacking the opposition players for the possession of the ball. Having been wasted at Kerala for two seasons, the Chennai team will probably suit the Bengal lad.
5) Rory Delap (MID, Ireland)
One of the more unlucky footballers in the game, Irishman Rory Delap is a man of few words. He translated his words into performances on the pitch, but, no one cared to take notice. Over 500 appearances at club level for almost two decades was not enough to nail him a permanent spot in the national team.
Delap retired from international football in 2004, having played only 11 games for the Republic of Ireland. A hardworking player, Delap gives it all for his team. Tirelessly running across the pitch, his attacking work is as effective as his defensive shifts.
Delap has superb passing skills; be it long or short, he executes it with perfection. The pin point crosses are his biggest attribute. With a warrior like Delap in midfield, Chennaiyin FC will hold an edge over the other teams.
