After a bruising Indian Super League 2024/25 campaign that saw Chennaiyin FC finish 11th, the Marina Machans enter ISL 2025/26 with renewed hope, fresh faces, and a clear intent to reset the narrative.
With a new Indian head coach in Clifford Miranda and a flurry of signings especially in the foreign department, Chennaiyin look set to turn the page and build a more balanced, competitive squad this season.
Potential Starting XI [4-2-3-1]
Between the sticks, Mohammad Nawaz is expected to retain his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, offering continuity and experience at the back.
The defensive line could see Laldinliana Renthlei and PC Laldinpuia deployed as the two full-backs, providing energy, width, and defensive solidity on the flanks. At the heart of defence, club captain Pritam Kotal is likely to partner new Brazilian signing Eduardo Kau, a combination that blends leadership, physicality, and composure.
In midfield, Chennaiyin FC appear to have addressed a key weakness from last season. New Moroccan recruit Mohammed Ali Bemammer is expected to anchor the midfield alongside Lalrinliana Hnamte, forming a hardworking and tactically disciplined central midfield unit.
Ahead of them, new Spanish signing Alberto Noguera could be handed the creative reins as the attacking midfielder, tasked with linking play, unlocking defences, and dictating tempo in the final third.
The wide areas look particularly exciting for the Marina Machans this season. New signing Imran Khan is tipped to operate from the right wing, while last season’s standout performer Irfan Yadwad is expected to continue on the left, bringing pace, directness, and goal threat.
Leading the line, Spanish striker Iñigo Martin could spearhead the attack, offering a focal point up front and a clinical edge Chennaiyin sorely lacked in the previous campaign.
With Clifford Miranda at the helm, Chennaiyin FC seem to be building a side that values structure, intensity, and tactical clarity. The blend of experienced Indian players and carefully chosen foreign signings suggests a more thought-out recruitment strategy aimed at improving squad depth and overall balance. On paper, this potential lineup looks capable of pushing the Marina Machans back into mid-table contention and possibly beyond if consistency follows.
Conclusion
This season feels like a defining reset for Chennaiyin FC, a season where intent finally aligns with planning. With clearer roles, improved balance across all three lines, and a coach eager to stamp a modern, disciplined identity, the Marina Machans have the tools to shed the disappointments of last year. Much will depend on how quickly this new-look unit gels and translates promise into points, but for the first time in a while, Chennaiyin enter a season not just hoping to survive, but believing they can compete, restore pride, and re-establish themselves as a serious force in the Indian Super League.
