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ISL- Indian Super League

ISL 2024-25: All six foreigners of Kerala Blasters

Published at :September 11, 2024 at 2:02 PM
Modified at :September 11, 2024 at 2:02 PM
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Alen Philip Mathew

The Tuskers will go all out to win their first piece of silverware for their devout fans.

The 11th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is about to begin, and the teams are getting ready for another thrilling season. For Kerala Blasters FC, this season marks a fresh start with the arrival of new head coach Mikael Stahre.

However, the Blasters’ journey has already hit a bump, as they were eliminated from the Durand Cup by Bengaluru FC in the quarterfinals. The team’s performance in the Durand Cup has worried fans, especially since Kerala Blasters are still the only ISL team without a major title.

Even though they lost key players like Dimitrios Diamantakos, Marko Lešković, and Daisuke Sakai, the Blasters have brought in some promising foreign players on paper, which could be key to their success this season.

While there is doubt among fans and experts about the club’s transfer decisions, the new foreign players can make a big difference. Let’s have a look at all the foreign players in Kerala Blaster’s current squad, who can dictate their fate in 2024-25:

Adrián Luna- Uruguay

Adrián Luna, midfield magician, is entering his fourth season with Kerala Blasters after renewing his contract until 2027. Luna joined the Blasters in 2021 and has since become a key player for the team.

He is known for his creative skills and ability to set up plays, making him the most celebrated foreign player in the club’s history. Luna holds the record for the most goals and appearances for the Blasters, with 13 goals and 17 assists in 53 matches in the Indian Super League.

Luna’s knack for creating chances and scoring important goals has made him a fan-favourite player, winning him the “Fan Player of the Season” award in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Even though a knee injury affected his performance in the 2023-24 season, Luna returned for the playoffs. With his extended contract and leadership skills, Luna is expected to be crucial in guiding the Blasters through the next season.

Kwame Peprah – Ghana

Ghanaian striker, 23-year-old Kwame Peprah prepares for the second season at Kerala Blasters after joining the squad in August 2023 and enduring an up-and-down campaign. At first, he had trouble finding his best form, but he got better as the season went on. He showed his worth as a promising player but was rendered unfit for a huge part of the Indian Super League due to an injury.

At the 2024 Durand Cup, Peprah showed his worth by scoring a hat-trick in an 8-0 win over Mumbai City FC and one goal in a thrashing of CISF Protectors (7-0). He finally scored 4 goals in the tournament and was the third-highest goal scorer in the tournament.

This return to form is a good sign for the Blasters as they want to strengthen their attacking play. He has earned 12 appearances in the Indian Super League bagging 2 goals and an assist, now it remains to be seen whether he can keep up his Durand Cup form with consistent performances.

Miloš Drinčić – Montenegro

Kerala Blasters’ Montenegrin defender Miloš Drinčić will continue with the club this season after he signed a 2-year contract extension. Drinčić only joined the Blasters in 2023 and was fast becoming an integral player for them, especially since Marko Lešković went down injured. Drinčić has over 200 games of experience under his belt, which helped the Blaster’s defense. During his first season, he played 19 matches with a balance of 20 interceptions to go alongside 14 tackles and scored two goals.

The fact that Drinčić is proficient both in defending and scoring goals serves as an added advantage. The club has shown confidence in him by handing him a deal that runs until 2026 following his impressive displays. As the Blasters aim to improve their defence, Drinčić’s experience and dependability will be key in maintaining the team’s solid backline.

Noah Sadaoui – Morocco

Moroccan winger Noah Sadaoui is one of the biggest additions to Kerala Blasters this season even at 30 years of age. Before joining the Kerala Blasters, Sadaoui played in several countries across Africa and Europe and after his successful stint with FC Goa, he has attained experience playing on four continents. Sadaoui’s proven efficiency as a serial winner could be crucial for the Tuskers.

In his first season of ISL, he had regular starting chances within 20 games, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists. His ability to create and finish chances made him one of the most dangerous players in the league. His transfer to Kerala Blasters was a significant move, and he already made a strong start with the team.

On July 2, 2024, Sadaoui joined Kerala Blasters with a two-year contract and quickly showed his talent by scoring three goals in his first game, helping his team win 8-0 against Mumbai City in the 2024 Durand Cup. He followed that up by scoring a hat trick again in the CISF Protectors FT match and won the Golden Boot as well for being the overall top-scorer of the 2024 Durand Cup with a total tally of six goals.

That positive foresight mirrors an impressive career record which currently reads at 20 goals in just 40 ISL appearances, with more than 65 chances created and 50+ key passes — all whilst winning around nearly double the amount of duels. The Blasters would benefit greatly from his offensive skill set and knack to show up in big moments which would also see him become the principal audience puller and help make an impact in the ISL.

Alexandre Coeff- France

Kerala Blasters have strengthened their defence by adding 32-year-old French player Alexandre Coeff. At 185 cm tall, Coeff brings a lot of experience and strong defensive skills to the team, making him a great addition to the Blaster’s defence.

Coeff started his youth career in France with teams like Plouzane Athletic, Stade Brestois 29, Guilers, and Cavale Blanche Brest, before joining the youth academy of RC Lens in 2008. He signed his first professional contract with RC Lens in October of the same year and quickly moved up the ranks.

Over the years, Coeff has played for various European clubs, including Udinese in Italy, Granada CF in Spain, Gazélec Ajaccio in France, and AEL in Greece. In 2023, he joined Stade Malherbe Caen before moving to Kerala Blasters in July 2024 on a one-year contract.

Coeff’s versatility and experience at the youth international level for France, where he played for teams from under-16 to under-21, further enhance his value to the team. His skill in understanding the game, along with his strong physical presence, will be very important in stopping the other team’s attackers and granting stability to his team’s defence. Fans and experts will be watching closely to see if Coeff can become a key player for Kerala Blasters this season.

Jesús Jiménez – Spain

Kerala Blasters has recently added 30-year-old Spanish forward Jesús Jiménez to their foreign squad. Jiménez will directly replace Dimitrios Diamantakos, the previous main striker for the club. With a strong experience, including 37 goals in 121 games for the Polish team Górnik Zabrze, Jiménez is expected to be a great addition to the Blasters.

Jiménez has played for teams in Spain, Poland, Canada, and Greece. His best time was with Górnik Zabrze, where he had the most successful part of his career. After a short time with OFI Crete in Greece in 2024, Jiménez joined Kerala Blasters FC on August 30, 2024, signing a contract for two years until 2026.

Jiménez has scored 66 goals and provided 31 assists in his 237 games, which shows he can help his team attack. As a last-minute addition during the transfer window, Jiménez has to adjust quickly to his new team and regain his best form to make a difference. If he can quickly fit in with his teammates and start performing well right away, he could become one of the most threatening forwards in the ISL this season.

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