Chennaiyin FC: Five things to keep in mind before start of season

The Marina Machans have had a quiet summer on the back of a disappointing campaign last season.

The former two time champions of the Indian Super League, Chennaiyin FC will be looking to put the woes of the 2018-2019 season behind them and focus on rebuilding in the new season. After much speculation, John Gregory was handed a one year extension on his managerial contract at the club. It remains to be seen if this was the right decision on the part of the CFC board.

We at Khel Now take you through five things that Chennaiyin FC will need to keep in mind ahead of the new season.

5. Other teams strengthening in key areas

Chennaiyin FC have yet to make any major additions to their squad ahead of the new season, while the likes of ATK, Jamshedpur FC and others have already attacked the transfer market to make key additions to their squad. ATK have signed Roy Krishna, Michael Soosairaj and a few others, making them strong contenders for the title next season.

Chennaiyin have to make measured additions to the side if they are to challenge in the near future.

4. A lack of goals in the side

The side scored a mere 16 goals in 18 games in the league last season, which saw them finish bottom of the pack. John Gregory put all of the goal scoring responsibility on the back of Jeje who failed to perform. This time around, the side needs goals from all over the park, something that has got to be a major point of concern for the side.

3. The need for reinforcements in defence

CFC shipped in a massive 32 goals in the league last season. The loss of Inigo Calderon midway through the campaign left the side lacking in both quality and experience. Chennaiyin FC failed in their pursuit of East Bengal FC defender, Lalramchullova who has just been announced as a Mohun Bagan player.

It would be in their best interest to start the rebuild of the team from the back to avoid a repeat of the last campaign.

2. Reigniting the interest of the fans in the team:

It is a well-accepted fact that the fans of a side can very often act as the 12th man in games. However, in the 2018-2019 season, the interest in Chennaiyin FC amongst the residents of the city considerably dwindled. A lack of interest from the locals and empty stadiums are hardly the signs of a flourishing team.

Chennaiyin FC would do well to use the time before the start of the season to reignite some of the excitement that was seen amongst the people of Chennai during the early years of the ISL.

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1. The Development of Anirudh Thapa:

Anirudh Thapa has emerged as one of Indian football’s most exciting prospects in recent seasons and just seems to keep getting better. The midfielder will now be hoping to become a permanent fixture in both the Chennaiyin FC and the Indian sides as he looks to take the next step in his career. It is essential that his club focuses on his development as they could very possibly build a highly successful team around him.