ISL 2019 Preview: Kerala Blasters aim to replicate their performance from Season 1

Kerala Blasters have always been an enigma in the Indian Super League - despite their incredible support and impressive squad lists the Blasters have always flattered to deceive. The Manjapadda ranked a measly 9^th last year, winning only two games throughout the season. David James was sacked midway through the season and Nelo Vingada was bought in, but it made little difference. The Blasters looked out of sorts and that is why they decided to make some whole-scale changes. Northeast United duo Eelco Schattorie and Bartholomew Ogbeche were roped in, along with a bunch of other players. It is now a completely fresh-look team and the expectations will be particularly high this year.

Setup this season:

The 47-year-old Schattorie is a shrewd tactician and one can expect him to deploy his cavalry in varying capabilities. Real Kashmir FC’s standout performer in the I-League 2018/19 Bilal Khan and former Northeast United goalkeeper TP Rehenesh will be fighting for the starting spot under the bar, while Lalruatthara, Gianni Zuiverloon, Sandesh Jhinghan and Mohamad Rakip will mostly comprise the defence. The midfield will comprise of Halicharan Narzary,Sahal Abdul Samad, new signing Mario Arques, Jeakson Singh or Sergio Cindoncha.

Knowing the Dutch manager, he is most likely to use Sahal in the role of the number 10 leaving Arques and Jeakson as the defensive pivot in the midfield. Out wide, the pace and trickery of Messi Bouli and Prasanth should do the trick for the Blasters. Up front, the lethal finishing of captain Ogbeche is expected to provide the goals, something that both Slavisa Stojanovic and Matej Poplatnik failed to do for them last season. The return of local hero Mohammed Rafi also gives the Yellow Army with a decent back-up striking option.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Bilal Husain Khan, Shibinraj Kunniyil, TP Rehenesh

Defenders: Abdul Hakku, Gianni Zuiverloon, Jairo Rodrigues, Jessel Carneiro, Lalruatthara, Mohamad Rakip, Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Singh

Midfielders: Darren Claldeira, Halicharan Narzary, Jeakson Singh Thaunaojam, Mario Arques, Mouhamadou Gning, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sahal Abdul Samad, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Seityasen Singh, Sergio Cidoncha

Forwards: Bartholomew Ogbeche , Mohammed Rafi, Raphael Messi Bouli

3 key players:

Sahal Abdul Samad

One of the most exciting prospects for India in recent years, Sahal Abdul Samad has seen a meteoric rise over the last year or so. He was awarded the Golden Boy award in ISL 2018/19 and he has continued to make a mark with India. His deft first touch, calm head and ability to pick the right pass has already caused him to be recognized as one of the best midfielders in the land and he can really make a mark this season if he manages to play to the full extent of his unquestionable abilities. Given Schattorie is most likely to use him in the Rowllin Borges role i.e he will be played much higher up the pitch and as a box-to-box midfielder, he should have a lot of room and fluidity to operate. With the likes of Messi Bouli, Ogbeche and Narzary around him, one can expect that Sahal will be right in his natural elements in the Blasters squad.

Sandesh Jhingan

Jhingan has been one of India’s best defenders over the last few seasons and there is no doubt he will be an extremely key component in Schattorie’s plans. His partnership in the middle of defence with Zuiverloon will be fundamental in ensuring that Kerala do not concede as many goals as they did last year (28 goals against, 2^nd worst defence in the league). He has currently picked up an ankle injury that will see him miss India’s game against Bangladesh on the 15^th, but Schattorie will be hoping he gains fitness sooner rather than later.

Bartholomew Ogbeche

With 12 games in 18 games, Ogbeche was one of the most in-form strikers last season and he will look to pick up where he left up from, albeit for a different team. Under Schattorie, whose direct and compact style of football worked very well for the former Middleborough forward last year, he is expected to deliver the goods for the manager and it will be interesting to see how he links up with Messi Bouli and Sahal in attack and whether the trident does look as good on the field as it does on paper. With the Dutchman naming him as the captain for the season as well, he will be eager to endear himself to the Manjapadda from the get-go.

Target

Anything less than a play-off spot for the Blasters would be nothing short of a gigantic disappointment for them. Given the wealth of talent that they have in place and the plethora of bench strength, it is high time that they look to replicate their performance from Season 1 when they made it all the way to the final. With Schattorie at the helm, there is no doubt that that is exactly what he has in mind.

First match

Kerala Blasters take on ATK in the opening match of the ISL season on the 20^th October at home. They play their first away game against Mumbai City FC on the 24^th.