ISL 2026-27: Top 5 Chennaiyin FC players to watch out for
Chennaiyin FC finished just one place above relegation in ISL 2026-27.
Chennaiyin FC, two-time champions of the Indian Super League, have been nowhere near that level ever since their defeat in the 2019-20 ISL final, where they lost to Habasโ ATK FC. In fact, since then, they have qualified for the playoffs just once, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by FC Goa.
And they are set to start their ISL 2026-27 season against the same FC Goa at a stadium where the Marina Machans have a rich history and, probably, their most iconic moment, as some would say, the stoppage-time winner from Stiven Mendoza that defeated the Gaurs and helped the Marina Machans lift their first-ever ISL trophy.
The match between the two sides is scheduled for 10 October 2026 at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30 IST.
Both sides have already met once in a pre-season friendly just a couple of weeks ago, and it is understood that the Gaurs won the game, although it was held behind closed doors. More than just an ISL fixture, this is a battle between two teams that have produced the most goals in an ISL fixture.
It will also be a tactical battle between two Indian head coaches, with one of them being a Goan, but leading the team on the other side.
As both teams prepare for this high-intensity, goal-feast fixture, letโs take a look at the top five Chennaiyin FC players who could have a major impact on this game.
5. Namgyal Bhutia
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Namgyal Bhutia, Chennaiyinโs new right-back following the departures of Ankit Mukherjee and Dinliana, has a special memory at the Fatorda Stadium, the venue where the game will be played. When his previous club, Bengaluru FC, were all set for extra time in the 2024-25 ISL semi-final, it was Namgyal Bhutia who set up Sunil Chhetri for a stoppage-time goal that secured qualification to the final for Gerard Zaragozaโs side.
For the past few years, Chennaiyin FC have failed to have a solid modern-day right-back, and Bhutia could be the answer to this long-standing problem. While Ankit was solid defensively, he offered very little going forward. Dinliana, on the other hand, failed to emulate the same level of performance he delivered for the Marina Machans in the 2019-20 season.
In Bhutia, Clifford Miranda has someone who could do a good job at both ends of the pitch. His dashing overlapping runs forward and dangerous crosses could be something Ramon Tanque will be looking forward to inside the box, while his defensive solidity will be tested to a great extent against an exciting winger like Isak Vanlalruatfela.
Also Read: FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC Preview โ Team news, lineups | ISL 2026-27
4. Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz was one of the major reasons Chennaiyin FC were able to finish 13th last season. Surprising, isnโt it? If not for the goalkeeper, the club could have found itself in an even worse situation and could have been dragged into a relegation battle going into the final week.
In fact, Nawaz can hold his head up and say he has been Chennaiyinโs best Indian player over the last two seasons.
And in a fixture that has produced the most goals in the history of the league, it is crucial for Clifford Miranda that Nawaz not only steps up and makes crucial saves at the back, but also marshals the completely new Chennaiyin defensive line, which will be playing together in a competitive game for the first time.
Fatorda and Goa are not new to Nawaz, as FC Goa was the club that gave him his breakthrough in his ISL career. His distribution and ability to remain composed despite Goaโs vigorous press will be a huge aspect of the possession-based football that his team is expected to play.
3. Ayush Chhetri
A player who spent the last three years emerging into the ISL scene with the opposition, playing a lot of games at this stadium and, in fact, winning back-to-back Super Cups, Ayush Chhetri returns to Goa to play against FC Goa in his first-ever competitive game for Chennaiyin FC. Ironic, isnโt it?
Ayush Chhetri, the Indian U-23 international, surprised a lot of people when he decided to leave FC Goa despite the Gaurs securing Asian football and rejecting many high-profile offers to join Chennaiyin FC. The reason? As per his own words, the head coach, Clifford Miranda.
Ayush is one of the most technical Indian midfielders, with the ability to progress the ball effortlessly in midfield, either through his one-touch passes or on his own by driving forward with the ball. He has great composure on the ball, while also possessing the positional awareness and hunger to hunt down and win the ball back.
The battle between Tomba Singh and Ayush Chhetri, two of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the country, is surely something to look forward to in this game.
2. Madih Talal
Madih Talal, a player Chennaiyin FC and Owen Coyle tried to bring in in 2024 after his impressive performances at Punjab FC, has finally arrived at the club he was destined to join, just two years later. Out of all the signings the club made, this guy remains the most important signing, and his availability is expected to dictate Chennaiyinโs season, just as he dictated Jamshedpurโs season last year.
Talal ranks among the best creative players in the league and was in the top three for chances created per 90 in ISL 2025-26. In fact, his impact was so significant that Jamshedpur failed to win even a single game in his absence.
His ability to interchange positions with Brison on the wings and in the middle of the pitch, his link-up play with Ramon Tanque and other midfielders and, more importantly, the line-breaking passes and dangerous crosses he plays will define how many chances Clifford Mirandaโs side can create in the final third.
If Vallejo and Tomba give him an inch of space, Talal will make sure they regret it.
1. Ramon Tanque
The only reason for ranking Tanque ahead of Talal is simply based on the fact that the chances Talal creates will only end up in the back of the net if this man gets his scoring boots on.
It is no secret that Ramon Tanque was not the clubโs first-choice foreign striker signing. It was Lee Erwin whom they had almost agreed on terms with, but Mohun Bagan snatched him in the end, forcing the Marina Machans to look for options elsewhere and bring in this Brazilian striker.
A fox-in-the-box kind of striker, Ramonโs strengths are not his hold-up play or pace or his ability to interchange passes by dropping deep and creating chances. He instead shines inside the box, with the traits of a traditional number nine. He is very strong physically and aerially and would most likely get his head on crosses inside the box seven times out of 10.
While his finishing from low crosses and chances through the middle has not been particularly great, you can be assured of his heading ability given his performances for his previous clubs.
His battle against Jhingan and Zalaya, who are expected to form a solid partnership at the back for FC Goa, will be very interesting to watch and could potentially be the match-deciding battle.
Is Madih Talal available for Chennaiyin FC against FC Goa?
Chennaiyin FC head coach Clifford Miranda has confirmed that he is expected to have a fully fit squad for FC Goa clash, so Talal is available.
When and where is the FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC match scheduled to kick-off?
The match between the two sides is scheduled for 10 October 2026 at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30 IST.
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