Chennaiyin FC is synonyms with consistency, CFC has been one of the most consistent sides in ISL history. 2019-20 season for CFC was a rollarcoster ride, from been last in points table to becoming the runners-up of that season, that was a resurgence for the ages. While there might be some momentum from the previous season, there has been some rebuilding to do as far as the Chennaiyin FC management is concerned. The exit of head coach Owen Coyle prompted the appointment of Csaba Laszio. the departure of top-scorer and Golden Boot winner Nerijus Valskis hasn’t helped either.
Chennaiyin FC will start their campaign against Jamshedpur FC on the 24th of November at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Margao.
CFC has got a experienced squad with quality Indian players. Let us take a look at their squad.
Goalkeepers
BY Revanth,Vishal Kaith,Karanjit Singh,Samik Mitra
Defenders
Enes Sipovic,Reagan Singh,Lalchhuanmawia,Edwin Sydney Vanspaul,Eli Sabia,Jerry Lalrinzuala,Deepak Tangri, Remi Aimol, Balaji Ganesan,Aqib Nawab
Midfielders
Abhijit Sarkar,Thoi Singh,Anirudh Thapa,Memo Moura,Lallianzuala Chhangte,Rafael Crivellaro,Srinivasan Pandiyan,Dhanpal Ganesh,Fatkhulo Fatkhuloev ,Germanpreet Singh
Forwards
Isma,Aman Chetri,Rahim Ali,Jakub Sylvestr
Chennayin FC has arguably the best Indian squad which is a blend of youth with experience. Anirudh Thapa the best Indian midfielder with great vision. Anirudh Thapa is someone who could lead India in the future after Sunil Chetri.
In the foreign department They have retained only two overseas players from last season and have brought in five new faces. Among them, the one who will be tasked with replacing the goals scored by Nerijus Valskis, who left for Jamshedpur FC, will be Jakub Sylvestr. Fulfilling the mandatory Asian player quota is Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev who becomes the first-ever player from Tajikistan to take part in the Indian Super League (ISL). A winger by trade, Fatkhuloev has a very interesting profile. The 30-year-old is considered a legend as far as Tajik football is concerned and is their highest-capped international.
Last year Owen Coyle turned Chennayin FC into a well-oiled attacking machine. Laszlo replaced Owen Coyle, who took the team to the final in the 2019-20 ISL season. Coyle recently moved to Jamshedpur FC as their head coach. Csaba also possesses proven expertise in unearthing and nurturing youngsters. Promoting budding Indian talent is at the forefront of our objectives at Chennaiyin, and Csaba fits the mould perfectly in that regard as well. Players like Chhangte,Jerry and Aman Chetri could thrive under his coaching style.
Csaba’s probable playing XI
Vishal Kaith (GK)
Edwin Sydney Vanspaul(RB)
Enes Sipovic (CB)
Eli Sabia(CB)
Jerry Lalrinzuala(LB)
Rafael Crivellaro (LM)
Anirudh Thapa (CM)
Germanpreet Singh(RM)
Lallianzuala Chhangte(LW)
Fatkhulo Fatkhuloev(RW)
Jakub Sylvestr(FW)
SUBSTITUTE’s
Karanjit Singh(GK), Deepak Tangri, Remi Aimol,Thoi Singh, Eli Sabia,Memo Moura,Isma, Abhijit Sarkar,Aman Chetri.
Csaba is great at man-management and he would like to build a young team with solid Indian players this would in-turn be beneficial for Indian National team and Chennaiyin FC in the long run.