Kochi: Kerala Blasters, who finished runners-up in two editions of the Indian Super League (ISL), have managed to bring together a compact team with balance in all the departments for the fourth season, scheduled to kick off on November 17.
The Kochi-based club, at least on paper, wears a formidable look and is determined to come up with an improved show this time around.
Blasters have the firepower to surpass their last year’s performance. The management has brought in a host of proven players such as Bulgarian legend Dimitar Berbatov, former Manchester United star defender Wes Brown, Canadian striker Iain Hume, the all-time top scorer in the ISL, young foreign recruits including Ghanaian attacking midfielder Courage Pekuson and Serbian defender Nemanja Lakic-Pesic. They will join a bunch of extremely talented Indian players, including C K Vineeth, Sandesh Jhingan, Arata Izumi and Lalruatthara.
Unlike previous seasons, the team has left nothing to chance as far as preparations are concerned. For the first time, Blasters flew to a European country for a one-month-long pre-season camp. The team played four practice matches against Spanish clubs, posting two wins. They lost one while the other tie ended in a draw.
Strong attack
Blasters have bolstered their attack by recruiting Berbatov, one of the prolific scores in the history of the English Premier League. He will team up with Hume, who has so far scored a total of 23 goals in 46 matches for two different teams in the ISL, to form a deadly partnership up front. The 21-year old Dutch forward Mark Sifneos will complete the team’s forward line-up. Keralite K. Prasanth and Mumbai-based striker Karan Sawhney could be used as substitutes.
Potent midfield
Blasters’ midfield is powered by several top Indian players such as Izumi, Vineeth, Jackichand Singh, Milan Singh, and Siam Hanghal.
Vineeth, known for his blistering pace, will be playing primarily as a winger.
Jackichand, a regular in the Indian national team under Stephen Constantine, is expected to keep his relentless forays through the right wing.
Milan, who shone for Delhi Dynamos as a utility player in the previous season, is an exciting prospect. It will be tough for local lad Ajith Sivan and young Manipuri player Loken Meitei to break into the playing XI.
However, the secret weapon in the midfield will be Ghana’s U-23 star Pekuson. The nimble-footed player is expected to control the midfield and dictate the flow of play.
Solid defense
The team’s backline will be protected by Englishman Brown, who will bring his rich experience of guarding the defense of Manchester United in over 200 EPL matches to the ISL.
The highlight of the Blaster’s formidable defense is the presence of some talented Indian players led by Sandesh Jinghan. He will be accompanied by Malayalee defender Rino Anto, I-League champions Aizwal FC’s emerging star Lalruatthara, Mizoram’s Lalthakima, Manipur’s Pritam Kumar Singh, and Shillong Lajong FC’s Samuel Shadap.
Shot-stoppers
The team has signed former Manchester United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka. The other two goalkeepers in the squad are veteran Sandip Nandy and and Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.
Coach
Though he hails from the land of 'total football', Blasters’ new head coach Rene Meulensteen is an exponent of the English game of pace and power.
Meulensteen, who has worked alongside the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson as the ‘skill development’ coach of Manchester United’s senior team, was in charge of the club’s youth and reserve sides. The Dutchman, who has coached star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, is someone who enjoys grooming young players and helps them realize their full potential.
Star to watch
Former Manchester United star Berbatov, one of the best Bulgarian footballers of all time, is the biggest signing by Kerala Blasters. Meulensteen was instrumental in bringing Berbatov to Blasters as they have known each other since their days at Old Trafford.
Berbatov played for United for four consecutive seasons and made important contributions to the team’s two EPL title wins.
The 36-year-old, who was also part of top-flight sides such as Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur and Monco, is a vastly experienced striker, with around 650 matches under his belt. He has scored 280 goals in club football, apart from 48 goals for the national side.
Top-three Indian stars
Arata Izumi
I-League career
East Bengal (1 goal in 14 appearances)
Mahindra United (20 goals in 84 appearances)
Pune FC (25 goals in 129 appearances)
ISL career
Atletico de Kolkata (5 goals in 11 appearances)
Pune City (one goal in 9 appearances)
C K Vineeth
I-League career
Prayag United (9 goals in 37 appearances)
Bengaluru FC (14 goals in 54 appearances)
ISL career
Kerala Blasters (5 goals in 18 appearances)
Jackichand Singh
I-League career
Royal Wahingdoh FC (5 goals in 18 appearances)
Salgaocar FC (2 goals in 16 appearances)
East Bengal (0 goal in 4 appearances)
ISL career
Pune City (1 goal in 9 appearances)
Mumbai City (2 goals in 8 appearances)
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