ISL 2018/19: Manjappada boycott, Cyberbullying and more - 5 things Kerala Blasters got wrong this season

#4 Lacklustre recruitment policy

Kerala Blasters' foreign recruits were a collective disappointment

Ahead of the fifth edition of the ISL, the Kerala Blasters adopted a recruitment policy they believed could build something special for the future of the club.

All of their four foreign recruits that joined the club in the form of Matej Poplatnik, Slavisa Stojanovic, Nikola Krcmarevic and Cyril Kali were newcomers to the division.

David James stressed these players were handpicked since they have the potential to grow and become even better in the future.

However, what transpired from the Blasters’ foreign contingent was mediocre performances as they criminally underperformed for the team whenever it mattered the most.

Poplatnik and Stojanovic got off to a flying start at ATK during the inaugural game but never hit similar strides again during the season.

Both Krcmarevic and Kali were plagued by minor but persistent injuries from time to time and never really settled down at the club and gave a lasting impression of themselves.

Although there was a lot of promise in terms of the Indian internationals who joined the Blasters in the form of Anas Edathodika and Halicharan Narzary, both players were shadows of their former self and were also below par on numerous instances.

Kerala Blasters’ recruitment policy was thoroughly exploited as the season progressed and in comparison, teams like North East United proved that bringing in quality players doesn’t always require a hefty backing of funds.