Can Chennaiyin FC Successfully Defend Their ISL Title?

Chennaiyin FC will be looking to script history as they are set to defend their title in the upcoming 2018-19 season of the Indian Super League. No team has ever been able to successfully defend their title in the ISL and the league’s unpredictability and excitement have been a key selling point. However, do Chennaiyin FC have the drive and the mettle to become the first club in the Indian Super League to defend their title? No team has ever topped the ISL Standings while going on to win the league either, so Chennaiyin FC will be looking to create some more history as well.

Last season under former Aston Villa manager John Gregory, Chennaiyin FC put up an inspired run after losing the opening match against FC Goa, and went on to win the title eventually. In the final, they pipped a dominant Bengaluru FC side who were having a dream run in their debut season of the ISL, winning the match 3-2. That was the biggest ISL News of last season, as Bengaluru were tipped by all and sundry to win the final easily. Such incredible determination and fighting spirit instilled by Gregory was not on show only during the final but was visible throughout the entire duration of the league. What they lacked in quality was made up for by sheer will power and tenacity. Previously having boasted the likes of John Stiven Mendoza in attack, the only notable forward in the squad was Jeje Lalpekhlua, who shouldered the burden very capably.

With Gregory signing a contract extension, he will definitely up the morale of the squad who are already acquainted with his tactics and mentality, and such persistence will be crucial for Chennaiyin FC in order to retain their title.

Despite having a major positive in retaining Gregory, they have been a dealt a major blow as last season’s captain Henrique Sereno will not be returning for another season of the ISL as he mulls retirement. He had been a vital cog in the wheel for the club and was a big influence both on and off the field. A favourite of Gregory, the former Portuguese international looks to hang up his boots after illustrious career in some of the top leagues of the world and will most likely make the announcement early next year. Chennaiyin FC have signed Brazilian Eli Sabia as replacement who had previously played for the club in 2016, however he will have big boots to fill in defence and forge a partnership with compatriot Mailson Alves.

Talking of new additions, the transfer business has been smart with both tried and tested players being retained while a little risk has been taken with La Masia graduate Andrea Orlandi and Palestine forward Carlos Salom arriving in a bid to rejuvenate the attack. Fan favourite and hero of last year’s final Raphael Augusto will be looking to run the show in the heart of midfield alongside promising Indian prodigy Anirudh Thapa.

While preseason matches are merely meant to build up the fitness of the players ahead of the league and the results don’t mean anything, the Chennaiyin faithful will be a little concerned after they lost three out of four matches. Chennaiyin FC travelled to Malaysia to prepare for the 2018-19 season where they drew the first match against Malaysia U19 but ended up losing the remaining three matches. The squad should be eager to leave behind their dismal results in the preseason and keep their eyes set on the title.

It remains to be seen whether Chennaiyin FC will be able to shake off their preseason rust and mount a successful title challenge, they sure have a squad and manager who are very capable of doing so and will need to be wary of any slip-ups in their bid to become the first club to defend the ISL title.