Five talking points from Chennai’s frustrating stalemate with Kerala Blasters

3. Chennai ought to reinforce their wings

Image: Indian Super League

Chennai do have good players on the roster. In fact, they’ve retained the core of the title-winning season, of course with the exception of skipper Henrique Sereno. They have a decent backline and solid central options in Andrea Orlandi, Raphael Augusto and Anirudh Thapa. Even Jeje Lalpekhlua isn’t a particularly bad striker.

It’s down the flanks where they have major problems. Francisco Fernandes, it seems, only works well with the Dhanapal Ganesh-Bikramjit Singh double pivot operating behind him. Gregory Nelson isn’t starting many games with John Gregory choosing to start three foreign players at the back.

Thoi Singh, a predominantly defensive player, has been an ineffective winger, whereas 22-year-old Isaac Vanmalsawma, despite early promise, has failed to make a serious impact. Chennai now need to invest in an actual winger or a proper striker come January, as they’ll prove an embarrassment not just in India but in Asia as well.