Can Chennaiyin FC deliver without foreign stars

Chennaiyin FC staged a remarkable comeback last season after being at the bottom of the points table. At one stage it seemed Materazzi’s men would fail to even qualify for the knock-outs but the World Cup winner masterminded the team’s fairy tale comeback with a 3-2 victory over FC Goa in the final. 

“Last year we showed both quality and character to bounce back from the bottom of the table and make it to the playoffs. I think Chennaiyin FC eventually won the trophy, deservingly,” said Materazzi. 

Can Chennaiyin FC do the same this year? “It is always more difficult to retain the title than winning it but I believe in my squad to go all the way again,” he added. 

The team’s success last year was built on the scoring prowess of Colombian striker Stiven Mendoza. The star striker, now playing for New York City FC in the Major League Soccer (MLS), worked his magic right through the tournament, finishing as the top scorer and the best player of the ISL. This year, Chennaiyin FC are not blessed with a talent like Mendoza who can instill fear in the most disciplined of defences and have also lost Bruno Pelissari to Delhi Dynamos but they will continue to carry a goal threat as long as they have Jeje Lalpekhlua in the team. 

Jeje stood out for Chennaiyin FC with six goals and three assists last year and has since then continued with his irrepressible form, scoring goals on the international front as well. 

Marquee player and captain Elano Blumner will be another major foreign absentee this season but the inclusion of John Arne Riise as their new leader in defence would be a shot in the arm for the defending champions. 

“We are going to take one game at a time and are well aware that every team has improved. The ISL is a very competitive league with games coming thick and fast over a short period so for me every team stands an equal chance of making the top four and that is our first target. After that we will see how well we can do in the knockouts,” said Materazzi.