The Indian Super League is just around the corner and that means it's festival time for Indian football fans. We will be able to see top Indian players play along with world class players under world class managers. Withing such a short span of time, the Indian Super League has already proven to be a very big platform for the Indian players to gain experience and raise their game level. As the League contains the best players from India and also top players from abroad it has succeeded it attaining a very large viewership.
This is the third edition of the tournament and everyone expects it to be the better than the previous ones. This might be also the last Indian Super League season before getting merged with the I-League.
As one year has passed the clubs have brought in new players, many of the League's followers are not aware of the teams. Are you one of them? Don't worry we have got you covered.
Over the coming days, Sportskeeda will be at your service to provide you information on everything you need to know about this season's Indian Super League. So let's begin with last season's champions. Here is Chennaiyin FC's Best XI:
Formation - 4-3-3
Goalkeeper - Duwayne Kerr
The Chennai goals will be guarded by Jamaican International Duwayne Kerr who has joined the team from Icelandic club Stjarnan. The 29-year-old keeper can be the perfect replacement for Apoula Edel, who has joined FC Pune City for this season's Indian Super League.
After gaining experience from Jamaican, Norwegian and Icelandic clubs this will be the 6’5” inch man's first stint in Asia.
Right back - Mehrajuddin Wadoo
The 32-year-old was key for Chennaiyin FC in their title-winning campaign last season. The former Jammu and Kashmir policeman has played for Kolkata's big three clubs (Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan) and has gained lots of experience. The defending Champions will need aggressiveness and experience at the back this season and hence Wadoo will be keeping his spot in Chennaiyin's starting eleven.
Centre Back - Bernard Mendy
The former France, Paris Saint-Germain and Hull defender was Chennaiyin's first pick in the International draft of the Indian Super League in 2014 and the 35-year-old still remains as a key figure in Marco Materazzi's squad. Mendy, who has scored two goals and assisted one for Chennaiyin, was with East Bengal during the 2015-16 season of the I-League and now will be back with the Super Machans as their captain.
Centre Back - John Arne Riise
Chennaiyin FC's marquee player John Arne Riise will be partnering Bernard Mendy at the back. The former Liverpool man, who is actually a Left Back, played as a Centre Back for Delhi Dynamos and could do the same with Chennai to maintain the balance of the team. The Norwegian had returned to his homeland club Aalesund earlier this year, however, the former Roma player soon decided to take a break from football due to lack of motivation.
Chennaiyin FC was able to convince the 35-year-old to return to football for this season's Indian Super League.
Left Back - Dhanachandra Singh
The 26-year-old Manipuri defender is known for his versatility. The former Mohun Bagan player can play as a centre-back, defensive midfielder as well as a left back. However the Indian international is expected to occupy the left back position where he played for Chennai in the past two seasons of the tournament. The former Churchill Brothers player, who helped Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin win League titles in 2015, will have to raise his performance levels to earn a constant spot in the Indian National Team.
Centre Midfield - Raphael Augusto
Raphael Augusto was pivotal in the Chennai midfield last season and could do the same this season too. The 25-year-old only received a single yellow card despite playing in the holding midfield role and that is quiet a good stat. The former Fluminense player's form will have a big impact on the Super Machans campaign this year
Right Attacking Midfield - Thoi Singh
The Indian Midfielder was the third costliest player in Indian Super League's 2015 auction (Chennaiyin paid 86 lakhs for the Manipuri) and this shows how much Chennai wanted him in the squad. The 25-year-old's contributions were significant in Chennai's title-winning campaign last season, providing three assists. The former Salgaocar player is expected to keep his spot in Chennaiyin FC starting eleven.
Left Attacking Midfield - Hans Mulder
The Dutch Midfielder has jumped ships from Delhi Dynamos, where he made a good impression, to Chennaiyin FC. The 29-year old's one of the best stints came with Dutch club Willem II where he helped them attain promotion in 2013. His work rate will do great favours for the team's attack and also the defense, and Materazzi will be looking to ooze the best out of him.
RW - Jayesh Rane
The 23-year-old winger played only seven games for the Super Machans last season but was able to provide three assists. The presence of foreign stars like Mendoza, Elano and Pelisarri reduced his playing time but this time, the youngster will be a key starting eleven player for Materazzi's team. The former Mumbai FC player's next aim will be to get a national team call-up.
CF - Davide Succi
The Italian striker has joined Chennaiyin FC after a successful spell with Serie B club Cesena. The 34-year-old's five goals in the 2013-14 season in the Serie B helped Cesena win a promotion to Italy's top tier. Gucci has also played for well known Italian clubs like Palermo and Chievo. Materazzi will be having high expectations of his fellow countryman and will be hoping that Succi can find the back of the net quiet a number of times.
LW - Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje, who is one of the best Indian players at the moment, has been very impressive in the whole League scoring a total of 10 goals and providing four assists in two seasons for Chennaiyin FC. The 25-year-old along with Mendoza ripped away a lot of defenses apart last season and Jeje will be hoping to do the same this season despite the absence of the latter.
The Mizoramese should utilize the opportunity to play under a football legend like Materazzi and players like Riise to reach the levels of Indian legends like Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri.
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