ISL 2017: 5 reasons why Chennaiyin FC can win the title

#3 Out with the old, in with the younger

The old legs in defence like Mehrajuddin Wadoo have been replaced

During the first three seasons, Chennaiyin leaned heavily on some very seasoned veterans such as Mikael Silvestre, Alessandro Nesta, Elano and Benjamin Mendy. John Arne Riise was their marquee player at the age of 36 last season, for crying out loud! Mendy was the club captain and lead defender.

He was good in the air, a very good organizer and a fan favourite but was exposed against younger, fleet-footed attackers. Likewise with Mehrajuddin Wadoo at right-back. None of them are now at the club anymore.

In come Inigo Calderon, Henrique Sereno and Mailson Alves. While Calderon is 35, the other two are much younger and it means that the defence will get a new look this time around. Mailson, in fact, returns for a second stint with Chennaiyin after having been a part of the title-winning team in 2015.

Chennaiyin also roped in Keenan Almeida in the draft and Calderon and him could duel it out for the right-back position. The new recruits represent a considerable upgrade on the ones they've replaced.