ISL: Chennaiyin FC’s strongest XI

Manager Marco Materazzi and co-owner Vita Dani pose with the franchise logo

Sportskeeda continues the series by looking at the strongest eleven on paper of Chennaiyin FC, that is co-owned by Vita Dani of Asian paints and Bollywood star Abishek Bachchan while Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi is the manager.

Formation: 4-4-1-1

GK: Shilton Paul – The Mohun Bagan captain faces tough competition from East Bengal’s Abhijit Mondal and Frenchman Gennaro Bracigliano for a starting berth in goal but could get the nod to maintain the balance of six foreigners and five Indians in the lineup. Shilton has plenty of experience of playing in high-pressure games and will be looking to show that in the ISL.

RB: Bernard Mendy – The former France, Bolton, Hull City and PSG right back was one of the most high-profile players in the international draft and thus was the first pick of the Chennai franchise. Last season he was playing in the French second tier and at 33, Mendy still has plenty to offer in the ISL. He is likely to operate in his familiar right back role.

CB: Gouramangi Singh – India’s most capped player in the ISL is also among the highest-earning domestic players and thus will have live up to some really high expectations. Gouramangi has the qualities to become one of the best defenders of the ISL and he would be aiming to perform well in it and return to the senior national team.

CB: Mikael Silvestre – The former Man United and Arsenal defender worked as a television pundit in India during the 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage. He was in talks to play in the ISL for a long time and eventually signed for Chennaiyin. At 37, Silvestre is expected to be past his peak but could still do a job for the team in central defence.

LB: Dhanachandra Singh – The Manipuri is capable of playing in central defence also but is likely to be used at left back at Chennaiyin FC. Having joined Mohun Bagan this season, Dhanachandra has already got used to playing under pressure but he will have to raise his game further as the standard in the ISL will also go up due to the presence of quality foreigners.

RM: Harmanjot Singh Khabra – The East Bengal skipper has been one of the best domestic players in the last three years but somehow has been absent from the senior national team setup. The ISL provides Khabra the ideal platform to get a place in the India team. He is capable of playing across midfield and as a full back but is likely to be used in right midfield.

CM: Pierre Tillman – The Swedish midfielder was signed directly by Chennaiyin FC on the advice of their technical partners, Kshatriya Sports. Tillman is still only 29 and was playing for Varbergs BoIS FC in the Swedish second tier before joining the ISL. He is expected to form an all-Swedish pairing in central midfield with Bojan.

CM: Bojan Djordjic – Like Mendy, Bojan was another well-known figure in the international draft and thus was among the top four picks of Chennai. The former Manchester United youth player has won the domestic league title in four different countries and is expected to be a leader both on and off the pitch, having also captained the franchise in practice games so far.

LM: Cristian Hidalgo Gonzalez – The former Barcelona youth product was Chennai’s second pick in the international draft and is expected to be a first-team regular. Hidalgo has the experience of playing for Deportivo in the La Liga and thus will add plenty of class and quality to Chennaiyin’s midfield. He is capable of operating on both flanks but is likely to be used on the left.

CAM: Elano – The 33-year-old playmaker is the youngest marquee foreigner in the ISL and thus could be one of the contenders to be the MVP of the tournament. Elano’s passing and ability to find a teammate makes him a very special player and he would be expected to operate in his favourite number 10 role, behind the lone striker.

CF: Balwant Singh – 12 months ago, Balwant was a forgotten man in Indian football. But 17 goals in all competitions for Churchill Brothers last season earned him a place in the India squad, a move to Mohun Bagan and the 2014 FPAI Indian player of the year accolade. The Punjabi forward would now be looking to be prolific in the inaugural season of the ISL.