Chennaiyin FC’s all transfers completed so far in 2024-25 summer window

The Marina Machans expect to stage a return to their former days of glory with a galvanized squad this season.

It was a case of close but no cigar for Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, as they qualified for the playoff stages in spectacular fashion but were knocked out even faster. 

Despite his promising return, Owen Coyle will feel he has a ton of unfinished business with the Marina Machans, as he’s yet to achieve that elusive final step of clinching the trophy. 

To ensure that, the Scotsman has been busy tinkering with his squad this summer. That has seen him send out the youngsters to compete in the Durand Cup as the senior side vies for the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy in Goa. 

While many will be wondering about their unconventional approach, it is almost evident that the tactician has been polishing his entire contingent to stay fit and be at their level best for the whole ISL season and afterward. He has also brought in notable signings to add cutting-edge experience to his side.

Let us see those as we analyse Chennaiyin FC’s all transfers completed so far in the 2024-2025 summer window: 

Incomings

Lukas Brambilla

A versatile midfielder, Lukas Brambilla will add solidity and flexibility to the middle of the park for Chennaiyin FC. The ambidextrous midfield lynchpin has the mentality to get forward, score, and build up play from deep. Brambilla’s work rate will also be a boon for Coyle’s side especially since last season’s heatmap saw the Brazilian meander all over the pitch.  

Wilmar Jordan Gil

The Colombian powerhouse was highly effective in the ISL and Super Cup last season for Punjab FC, scoring nine times and assisting once in 19 appearances. Wilmar Jordan has not lost his golden touch ever since he came to the league two years back, and is out to prove that he can be more than a backup striker for the Marina Machans this season.

Daniel Chima Chukwu

The burly former Jamshedpur FC ace decided to swap jerseys and ply his trade for former manager Owen Coyle’s Chennaiyin FC side this season. After stints with East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC, the Nigerian target man has become an icon of sorts, with appearances in the ISL’s league and playoff stages, the Durand Cup, and the Super Cup. He will most definitely look to emulate his high-scoring feats for the Red Miners at his new club as he looks to add to his 23-goal all-time-tally in the league.   

Elsinho

Elsinho is yet another Jamshedpur FC player joining his former compatriots at Chennaiyin FC. After playing the entire season for the Red Miners in the last campaign, the attack-minded centre-half has joined Owen Coyle’s side hoping for some silverware. 

PC Laldinpuia

Laldinpuia might make the Jamshedpur FC exodus look unreal, but he is going to be an indispensable Indian defensive asset for Chennaiyin FC this season. The fact that the agile center-back won 35 tackles for a leaky Red Miners defence last season ranking in fourth place for most successful tackles in the league, speaks volumes about his defensive prowess.

Mandar Rao Dessai

The former FC Goa and Mumbai City captain has been the primary reinforcement in Chennaiyin FC’s left-back department. Mandar boasts a treasure trove of experience playing for the biggest sides on the biggest of stages and can help out the Marina Machans under similar high-pressure situations. The fullback dares to execute bold yet accurate moves at opportune moments and that is something Owen Coyle will be glad to have amongst one of his squad’s leaders. 

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy

Mandar Rao Desai’s former deputy has followed him to Chennaiyin FC and will also add depth and energy to the left-back role. Vignesh has also had considerable experience playing under the likes of Sergio Lobera and other managers who prefer hoarding possessions and trusting more of the ball to defenders.

Needless to say, he will play a crucial role for the Marina Machans, switching effortlessly between attack and defense whenever he is called upon.  

Mohammad Nawaz 

The once-promising shot-stopper has not had fate on his side, falling out of favor at Mumbai City FC despite being touted to be their mainstay between the sticks for a long period.

However, at only 24 years of age, Nawaz has much still left to prove, and featuring in Chennaiyin colors may yet help him stage an all-important turnaround in his career.

Jitendra Singh

The defensive midfielder and makeshift center-back made only 10 appearances for Jamshedpur FC in the ISL last season but has earlier demonstrated maturity beyond his years.

In the ISL 2021-22 season Jitendra Singh helped the Red Miners to the League Winners’ Shield with a whopping 84 recoveries in the middle of the park. With time on his side, the young tenacious midfielder has plenty of skills left to develop and will give the Chennaiyin FC coach a strong contender for the defensive midfield spot this season.

Kiyan Nassiri

The youngest scorer in Kolkata Derby history is an exciting player, to say the least, if his debut hattrick in ISL 2021-22 against East Bengal was anything to go by. At only 23, the attacker has bags of pace and enough flexibility to be fielded across the frontline for Chennaiyin FC.

Apart from his versatility, Nassiri also harbors a penchant to find the back of the net and finish off moves from varying positions.

Gurkirat Singh

Like Nassiri, former Mumbai City winger and wingback hybrid, Gurkirat Singh, has fans jumping up and down after his stellar start to life for his new club in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024.

The 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship top scorer is slowly getting into a habit of scoring worldies for his sides as he continues to polish his exquisite dribbling, speed, and positioning skills.

Lalrinliana Hnamte

Chennaiyin FC have pulled off another clutch move by roping in much-sought-after box-to-box midfielder and Kiyan Nassiri’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant teammate Lalrinliana Hnamte.

With the presence of dependable pivots in the team already, there is a high possibility that the midfielder whom Owen Coyle insists the league hasn’t seen much of will be starting in a number 10 role, given his technical finesse and passing range.

Bijay Chhetri

Young center-half Bijay Chhetri returned to the club after spending a season on loan at Uruguayan second-tier (Liga de Ascenso – Fase Regular) side Colon FC.

Outgoings  

Rafael Crivellaro

Fan-favourite Brazilian forward Rafael Crivellaro staged a return to the club last season and had a memorable time playing in front of the Marina Machans’ faithful, scoring four times and assisting seven goals. Following the same, the midfielder left the club ahead of ISL 2024-25 

Jordan Murray

Australian ace Jordan Murray returned to his former side, Jamshedpur FC in the summer, and has already hit the ground running scoring once in two appearances for Khalid Jamil’s men in the Durand Cup 2024.

Cristian Battocchio

The Rosario-born Italian midfielder played across all competitions for Chennaiyin FC last season but left the club in this window to play for SS Monopolu 1966 in the third division of Italian football – Serie C.   

Rahim Ali

Chennaiyin FC will miss one of their more prolific forwards in the league for the past five seasons who joined Sergio Lobera’s Odisha FC. Rahim Ali never really peaked as he only registered 14 goals and five assists for his former side but the 24-year-old striker will be hoping to hit the ground running for the Juggernauts and reach the heights expected of him.  

Mohammad Rafique

The ISL inaugural edition final-winning goalscorer for Atletico de Kolkata has been on the fringes for some time now. Rafique made the switch to Diamond Harbour FC this season as he decided to switch up the pace and settle for lesser intensity as he reaches the twilight of his decorated career in Indian football.

Debjit Majumdar

The Bengali shot-stopper, lovingly called ‘Savejit’ by fans, has decided to script a return to his roots as he will be featuring for home-town side East Bengal FC in the ISL 2024-25. Although expected to step in as a rotational option, Debjit‘s reflexes are more than reliable and will give starting goalie Prabhsukhan Gill, plenty to watch and learn from.

Ayush Adhikari

Defensive midfielder Ayush Adhikari moved to Hyderabad FC despite moving to Chennaiyin FC last season in a big-money move from Kerala Blasters. The defensive midfielder was huge for his side in the middle of the park last season, racking up 93 recoveries and 30+ defensive actions(interceptions, clearances, and duels) but moved as soon as the Nizams came calling. 

Ninthoi Meetei

Right winger Ninthoi Meetei will be playing for his third club in the ISL this season, as he moved to Punjab FC. The former Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC attacker has already racked up a staggering 79 appearances for the two sides across the ISL and other competitions and will add considerable experience to Panagiotis Dilmperis’ promising side.

Akash Sangwan

After the arrivals of Vignesh and Mandar, Aakash Sangwan sought a move away from the club for more game time and will now be part of FC Goa’s left-back contingent alongside Jay Gupta.

Devansh Dabas

With Samik Mitra and Mohammad Nawaz almost guaranteed to start in the number one spot for Chennaiyin FC this season, Devansh Dabas signed with two-time I-League winners Gokulam Kerala to vie for honors in the second-tier Indian football competition.

Prateek Kumar Singh

The goalkeeper was loaned out to Goa side, Dempo SC after failing to make any appearances for Chennaiyin FC last season.

Sachu Siby

Despite playing for Chennaiyin FC even in the Durand Cup 2024, a month back, the left-back’s contract was not renewed as he remains a free agent ahead of ISL 2024-25.

Sweden Fernandes

The right midfielder could not replicate his fruiChennaiyin FC’s all transfers completed so far in 2024-25 summer window full stint for NEROCA FC across his outings with Punjab FC and Chennaiyin FC in the ISL last season and has eventually secured a permanent move to Inter Kashi who will be competing in the I-League 2024-25.

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