How Chennaiyin FC should approach the ISL summer transfer window

Chennaiyin FC finished 13th in the 2025-26 ISL season

With most aspects of the agreement already signed and clubs increasingly confident that the new season will begin on schedule, ISL teams have already started planning their squads and making moves in the transfer market.

Chennaiyin FC, who finished 13th in the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, will be aiming to put things right by assembling a squad capable of challenging for at least a top six finish in the 2026-27 campaign.

However, if the Marina Machans want to achieve success on the pitch, they must first get their recruitment right off it, an area in which they have struggled badly over the past few seasons.

Let’s take a look at what went wrong last season, the player profiles the club should target, the positions that need strengthening, and some realistic transfer options.

What went wrong in the 2025-26 ISL season?

The 2025-26 ISL campaign was unlike previous seasons, with most clubs prioritizing cost-cutting measures while simply trying to avoid relegation. Chennaiyin’s recruitment strategy reflected that mindset, as they opted to sign experienced ISL foreigners who could help them navigate a shortened 13-game season.

The transition from Owen Coyle’s direct style of football to Clifford Miranda’s possession-based approach proved difficult for the squad. While Miranda certainly made his share of tactical mistakes, the performances on the pitch from the players should have been much better than what they eventually displayed, which resulted in a 13th-place finish.

One of the biggest issues was the team’s physical condition. The players often struggled with fitness and stamina, regularly losing concentration after the hour mark and conceding avoidable goals due to fatigue.

Considering many of the squad members were in their early to mid-thirties and were returning after an almost eight-month break caused by uncertainty surrounding the league, those problems were hardly surprising.

The lack of athleticism also affected the intensity with which Miranda wanted his side to play. Several players were uncomfortable in possession, and the defenders in particular lacked the pace to play a high-line, which is completely opposite to the player profile required in a Clifford Miranda system.

What profile of players should Chennaiyin FC target?

Chennaiyin FC’s recruitment should revolve around signing players who are quick, direct, technically comfortable on the ball and capable of adapting to Clifford Miranda’s possession-based progressive brand of football.

Miranda repeatedly stressed throughout last season that his squad lacked pace. To push the defensive line higher up the pitch, the team requires players with the recovery speed to deal with counterattacks.

He also pointed out that the squad contained too many senior players. The club should therefore priorities footballers in their early twenties who are eager to prove themselves or players in their mid-twenties who have already established themselves elsewhere but are low on confidence.

Rather than looking too far, Chennaiyin only need to revisit what has worked well for them previously in the last few years.

Aakash Sangwan and Jiteshwor Singh arrived from the I-League and immediately became key players under Thomas Brdaric. The club should once again target ambitious I-League talents looking to establish themselves in the topflight. Irfan Yadwad came from I-League 2 three years back and is currently the club’s best forward.

Also Read: How Mumbai City FC should approach the ISL summer transfer window

Maheson Singh is another perfect example. After impressing for Punjab FC in the I-League but struggling for opportunities in the ISL, Chennaiyin moved quickly to secure his signature, and he showcased his quality throughout last season.

Similar opportunities continue to exist with foreign players in the second division, with several players making the step up successfully in recent years.

Another recruitment strategy that has paid off is identifying proven ISL players who are low on confidence or spending too much time on the bench elsewhere. Lalrinliana Hnamte, Dinliana and Mohammed Nawaz fit that profile perfectly. Instead of signing ageing veterans such as Pritam Kotal or Mandar Rao Dessai, Chennaiyin should continue targeting players entering or approaching their prime years.

While signing experienced foreigners like Elsinho (35), Ali Bemammer (36), Alberto Noguera (36), and Daniel Chima (35) made sense during a shortened season aimed at survival, the club must now shift towards younger foreign recruits in their mid-to-late twenties who can maintain high intensity throughout a full campaign.

Perhaps the biggest weakness last season was their inability to convert chances consistently. Addressing that issue should be the club’s top priority by signing a clinical striker alongside a midfielder capable of dictating the tempo and delivering quality set-pieces, a younger version of Alberto Noguera.

Which positions should Chennaiyin FC strengthen?

With Mohanraj leaving and Samik Mitra potentially seeking regular first-team football elsewhere, Chennaiyin should recruit another goalkeeper capable of challenging Mohammed Nawaz for the No.1 spot.

Defensively, the club needs one or two young center-backs with elite recovery pace and the technical quality to play out from the back, qualities currently lacking in players like Pritam Kotal and PC Laldinpuia.

Among the foreign recruits, Miranda would likely prefer defenders with similar technical ability but offering greater physicality and aerial dominance.

The full-back positions must be Chennaiyin’s biggest priority this transfer window. The club have signed Muhammed Sheef but need more recruitments now.

At right-back, although Lalrinliana Hnamte has performed efficiently when deployed there, Miranda would ideally want another defensively solid player capable of delivering dangerous crosses, making overlapping runs and contributing effectively in possession, qualities that do not naturally suit Ankit Mukherjee’s game.

Midfield is arguably Chennaiyin’s strongest department with Hnamte, Jitendra Singh, Maheson Singh and Jiteshwor Singh already available. However, the squad still requires two foreign midfielders, one deeper playmaker capable of controlling possession and dictating the tempo, and another attacking midfielder who can consistently create chances.

The wing positions also demand immediate attention. Farukh Choudhary and Irfan Yadwad are naturally more effective through the middle.

The club needs direct wingers who are capable of consistently beating full backs in one-on-one situations, much like what Prakadeeswaran did during his impressive cameos last season. With Brison Fernandes joining, Chennaiyin could look for a similar profile on the opposite flank.

Finally, although Irfan Yadwad remains one of the country’s brightest strikers, Chennaiyin still require a proven foreign center-forward who can consistently convert chances and win crucial matches, something Daniel Chima Chukwu was unable to provide last season.

Realistic transfer targets (Opinion):

Domestic players:

Goalkeepers: Jaspreet Singh (Bengaluru FC), Asish Sibi (Dempo SC)

Centre-backs: Dinesh Meetei (Mohammedan SC), Dippendu Biswas (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Left-back: Nathan Rodrigues (Mumbai City FC), Harsh Palande (Bengaluru FC)

Right-back: Hardik Bhatt, Namgyal Bhutia

Left-wing: Bryce Miranda (Diamond Harbour FC), Brison Fernandes (FC Goa)

Right-wing: Phrangki Buam (Shillong Lajong FC), Lalthankima (Mohammedan SC)

Foreign players with ISL/I-League experience:

Centre-back: David Humanes (Inter Kashi FC), Fallou Ndiaye (Kerala Blasters FC)

Central midfield: Abdul Halik Hudu (SC Delhi), Sergio Llamas (Inter Kashi FC)

Attacking midfield: Antonio Moyano (Diamond Harbour FC), Saul Crespo (East Bengal FC)

Striker: David Castaneda (Sreenidi Deccan FC)

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