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India's club football season is almost over. Now, it is time to prepare for the next league and prepare tactics for a better display.
For Kerala Blasters, ISL season four was awfully bad. The Kerala side had some of the best names ever heard in the ISL. In spite of having them, Kerala Blasters endured a catastrophic campaign.
Akin to that of all other opponents, they will be planning to execute better next time with a more efficient squad.
Over the past four years, we have seen numerous foreign players plying their trade for Kerala Blasters.
Some managed to impress and became the fan favourites of Manjappada, while players like Dimitar Berbatov disappointed. As they look to rejuvenate their squad ahead of the next season, we take a look at five former players Kerala Blasters could sign.
#5 Cedric Hengbart
A part of ISL in the first three editions, the French defender featured for Kerala Blasters in the inaugural and third season. He plied his trade for Northeast United FC in the second season.
Known for his versatility, Cedric Hengbart was an inviolable presence at the back for Blasters.
The former Auxerre defender and Sandesh Jhingan stood at the heart of the defence in the first season and played a crucial part in their journey to the finals.
In the third season, Northern Ireland International, Aaron Hughes partnered Hengbart in the Central defence.
Similar to the first season, the defence was outstanding. He featured in 26 games for Kerala Blasters and scored a goal.
There were rumours suggesting Hengbart had offers from Jamshedpur FC, but the player didn't join.
Hengbart is currently free and Kerala Blasters could make a move for him. However, he's 37-year-old, but, one in the hand is worth two in the bushes, isn't?
#4 Antonio German
In the second season, Peter Taylor was Kerala Blasters' coach. However, during his spell, Antonio German failed to make an appearance.
Later, Taylor got sacked and Terry Phelan took the charge.The former QPR academy product was among Kerala Blasters' key players in the second and third edition of ISL.
In spite of missing first six games, German managed to score six goals from nine matches that season. However, KBFC were unlucky as they finished at the bottom of the table.
Kerala Blasters retained German for the third season. He played a vital role in their resurgence and was impressive in the attacking.
Even though German didn't score any goals from 11 matches, he was influential for the Tuskers. Kerala Blasters could go for German if they want an attacking reinforcement.
#3 Kervens Belfort
The Haitian International is one of the crowd favourites at Kerala Blasters. The 25-year-old was a key driver in Kerala Blasters journey to the finals.
The Haitian inspired the audience with his mesmerising skills and dribbling moves. Belfort scored three goals for KBFC and was a menace to the opposition.
However, Steve Coppell's Jamshedpur FC secured Belfort's service for the fourth edition. In spite of playing 14 games (601 minutes), Belfort couldn't even register a goal.
As Kerala Blasters are looking to bolster their attack, Belfort seems like a good option, given how the duo of Vineeth and Belfort ran riots in season three.
#2 Josu Currais
Similar to that of Antonio German, the La Masia academy product featured for the southern outfit in the second and third season.
During the second season, Josu Currais did a fantastic job for Blasters, playing as an attacking midfielder.
He appeared in 11 matches and scored a vital goal against North East United FC. Even though Kerala Blasters finished at the bottom of the table, Josu's performance was influential and he earned the love and affection of the Manjappada
In the third season, Coppell appointed him at the left back. However, he tremendously did the job with utmost care.
He tracked the opponents' movements with utmost and put them out of the ride, almost successfully.
Currais featured in 14 games for Blasters in the third season, but he missed the final game due to a suspension.
While Josu's alarming presence provided Blasters with a strong shield at the defence, he also helped Kerala attack with some subtle crosses.
As Currais has parted his ways with FC Cincinnati, Kerala Blasters could consider him as a perfect option, given the versatility the player had displayed.
#1 Aaron Hughes
In spite of having Wes Brown, Sandesh Jhingan, Nemanja Lakic Pesic and many other household names in the defence, Kerala Blasters' defensive woes were as clear as the daylight.
Kerala Blasters' game against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium explained all the loopholes. While their marquee signing Dimitar Berbatov failed to impress and left the fans frustrating, this wasn't the situation last year.
Despite having a mediocre team in the third edition, Kerala Blasters displayed some great piece of football. Their Marquee signing Hughes stood at the helm and led the line for Blasters.
He played 11 games for Kerala Blasters and even bagged a goal to his name.
The impact of Northern Ireland defender was visible in the improvement of players like Jhingan. His ability to handle pressure with calm and composure was evident throughout his stint at KBFC.
Bringing Hughes back would find an end to the misery the club have. The Northern Ireland international is still playing competitive football.
Hughes is playing for Hearts of Midlothian in the Scotish top tier league. Hughes contract with Hearts is due to end this summer.
