Introduction
Kerala Blasters FC has announced the signing of their Asian player and all-time Bhutanese international top-scorer, Chencho Gyeltshen. Affectionately known as “CG7” for his style of play and his liking for Manchester United’s talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, this article will look in-depth into the history of Chencho Gyeltshen and analyse how the player is a smart acquisition for Kerala Blasters FC.
Who is Chencho Gyeltshen?
Chencho Gyeltshen is a Bhutanese international player and is the top scorer for their national team. His last stint was with RoundGlass Punjab FC under the reign of Curtis Fleming. Chencho has eight goal contributions with seven goals and an assist in just 14 games for the club. According to the stats given in Transfermarkt, the 25-year-old versatile winger has chalked up 23 goals and nine assists to his name in just 55 career appearances.
He has also played for Bengaluru FC in the 2018/19 iteration of the Indian Super League, alongside current Blaster Harmanjot Khabra, scoring two goals in nine appearances, accounting for over 330 minutes, for them. He is also a current international for the Bhutanese national football team, for whom he has chalked up ten goals and one assist(s) in 37 appearances. He was also a part of the U23 Bhutan national team.
In his career, he has predominantly played in the left flank and as a centre-forward. He is also known to play as a right-winger, attacking midfielder. The player has also played as a defensive midfielder previously, although it is not his natural position. This trait of the player exemplifies why he is acknowledged as a versatile player. In his season with the Blues in the 2018/19 season of the ISL, he won the trophy with the club. He was voted the MVP in the 2017/18 iteration of the I-League and also carries the experience of playing in the AFC Cup Qualifications.
How would Chencho Gyeltshen fit in tactically into Ivan Vukomanović’s system?
As previously explained in the “Who is Ivan Vukomanović” article, the Serb gaffer is widely known to use the 4-4-2 formation with two defensive midfielders. Even though this is a defensive formation, Ivan Vukomanović often implements an attacking philosophy into his gameplay. As it was predominantly evident from Kerala Blasters’ previous two preseason games against Kerala United FC, Kerala Blasters were seen instrumenting a mixture of methods in transitioning into attacking football. One was initiating attacks through the flanks, feeding in crosses into the final third, the second was initiating attacks through the flanks and cutting inside to open up the opponents’ defence, and the third was long balls.
Since Chencho Gyeltshen is a widely versatile player, he is good in the left flank, he is good at holding the ball and laying it out to the target-man, and he is also good at receiving the balls inside the final third and finishing it off with panache. This acquisition, without a doubt, will foster the Blasters’ attack with Álvaro Vázquez García and Jorge Rolando Pereyra Díaz already ready to fire up their boots for the yellow outfit.
Why is Chencho Gyeltshen a smart acquisition for the Blasters?
Chencho Gyeltshen is primarily a left-winger and is also comfortable in the left midfield and attacking midfield positions. The player is said to be a smart acquisition for Kerala Blasters because the Blasters are already equipped with experienced and talented Harmanjot Khabra and Jeakson Singh to instrument themselves in the defensive midfield position. Jeakson Singh is a good ball carrier, and Harmanjot Khabra can act as a good holding pivot.
Since the Blasters are equipped with these players in the respective position, it only makes sense to have brought in Álvaro Vázquez and Chencho Gyeltshen in order to bolster their attack. Chencho can also slot in as a defensive midfielder if the situation calls for it, even though it is not his natural position, and throughout his career, he has predominantly played in more of attacking oriented positions, such as left midfielder, left-winger, centre-forward, attacking midfielder, and right-winger.
And this particular transfer, although Chencho was contracted with RoundGlass Punjab FC, did not involve any transfer fee. Chencho Gyeltshen chose to be a Blaster over two other offers he had received for the upcoming season.
What could this mean for Kerala Blasters?
In Chencho, the Blasters have found an extremely versatile player who is also predominantly familiar with the Indian conditions and can slot-in in the Vukomanović system of play. He can be a key piece for the Blasters in transitioning their gameplay into an attacking one. Hopefully, CG7 will be able to make his mark in the Blasters’ contingent and can become a key piece for the Blasters in fulfilling their objectives for this season.
Follow our website for the latest updates on Indian Football!