ISL - INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE - NEWS

  

Chennaiyin FC rope in Italian central midfielder Manuele 

Blasi

The Marco Materazzi coached side added the 35-year-old versatile midfielder to the side for season 2 of the Indian Super League...

Chennaiyin FC bolstered their midfield with the addition of former Italian international, Manuele Blasi for the upcoming season of the blockbuster league.

The dynamic central midfielder will compliment the southern side's strong midfield which already comprises the likes of Elano, Bruno Pelissari and Raphael Augusto.

Interestingly, Blasi shared the dressing room with World Cup winner Materazzi when they were both part of Perugia in the 2000-01 season in Serie A. 

The man who has 8 caps for the Azzurri, started his career in the top flight with Roma before joining Perugia in 2000. After two seasons, he joined Italian giants Juventus but could only make forty appearances in five seasons. 

In fact he even slotted in at right back, with competition for midfield positions intensifying with the signing of Patrick Vieira. 

He also turned out for Napoli, after they won back promotion to Serie A besides loan stints with Palermo, Fiorentina and Lecce among others. 

He last played in Serie A with newly promoted side Pescara before spending the last two seasons with Serie B outfit, AS Varese 1910. 

Materazzi was hopeful that the young Indian players in the side would get to learn a lot from the experienced 35-year-old. 

“We are very happy that Manuele has signed for our club. Manuele is a player I know very well, having played with him as well in the Italian national team. He has played for some of the biggest clubs of Italy and in high profile matches for club and country. He will bring plenty of quality and experience to our team. He has all the attributes of a top central midfielder and that is exactly what we were looking for. I am sure the younger players in the team, especially the Indians will get to learn a lot from him and he will definitely make a big difference on the pitch individually also,” said the Chennaiyin FC gaffer.

Blasi meanwhile was excited about his new adventure and said that it did not take him long to arrive at this decision. 

“I am looking forward to play for Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League. Following a discussion with Marco about the club and league in general, it didn’t take me long to make my decision. Marco told me about the fantastic environment he gets to work at Chennayin FC with full support from the owners, management and of course the supporters. I am very excited about this venture at this stage of my career. I will try to help the rest of the team with my experience and hopefully we will have a successful season together,” said the former Juventus midfielder.

John Abraham: 'Delhi Dynamos are our biggest rivals'

The Bollywood actor, who own the ISL franchise from the northeast, revealed his clubs biggest rivals and also thanked the fans...

John Abraham, the owner of the northeastern Indian Super League (ISL) franchise NorthEast United, has opined that Delhi Dynamos are the Whites' biggest rivals come the second edition of the tournament, whilst opinion Indian players  are certainly some of the best in the tournament to watch out for. 

On being questioned who the club's spectators and aficionado's of the ISL can eagerly look forward too, the Bollywood actor revealed, "A number of players. On the international front - Simao Sabrosa - a fantastic player. Kondwani Mtonga - who we have retained while Miguel Garcia who is our captain. We have retained some of our old (Indian) players - Robin Gurung, Aiborlang (Khongjee). We have retained Boithang (Haokip) as well as Allan (Deory)," to the ISL. 

"8 states, one united," emphatically replied Abraham, quizzed on his club's philosophy. 

Asked where he felt his club's bigggest challenge in the league would come from, Abraham surprised many with his answer.

"I guess Delhi Dynamos because we have the largest away fan base in Delhi, even larger than the home base of Delhi," opined the 41-year-old. 

Finally, the actor thanked his fans for the immense support for his franchise, concluding, "Thank you for believing in us and NorthEast United FC belongs to the people of north east." 

Indian Super League: Atletico de Kolkata's Denzil Franco: 

Retaining the title will not be easy

The former Mahindra United player is raring to play a more significant role for the defending Indian Super League (ISL) champions in the upcoming season...

Atletico de Kolkata defender Denzil Franco revealed that he is nearing attaining full fitness ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2.

The right back had made four starts in as many appearances for the Sourav Ganguly co-owned team before he sustained an injury against FC Goa that kept him out for the rest of the season.

"I have played only four games in the ISL last season due to my injury which was very serious at that time," Franco recalled his testing period in an exclusive chat with Goal. 

"I am doing my best to come back to full fitness. I cannot say that I am completely fit," he admitted and continued, "I am working very hard towards achieving full fitness. I was training with Dempo [SC] until they started their practice for the Goa League and I wanted to stay away from artificial turf also. I am very grateful to everybody at Sesa Football Academy for allowing me to train with them."

Franco made his India senior team international debut on 23 March 2011 against Pakistan after returning from an injury laden season with Churchill Brothers SC in the I-League and has gone on to make 12 appearances for the Blue Tigers. His last match for the country was two years ago against Maldives.

"I am working hard towards it," he spoke of his desire to play for the national side.

Speaking of his future post the ISL season 2, the 29-year-old commented, "I have a two-year contract with Atletico de Kolkata and as a professional, you have to give your best for the team you play for. Next season I don't know where I'll be playing. I will think about the I-League after the ISL season."

While Chennaiyin FC have signed Apoula Edel Bete and Fikru-Teferra Lamessa from Atletico de Kolkata for the current season, Franco mentioned that it isn't just the Marco Materazzi coached side which has strengthened over the summer but so have the other teams in the mix as well. 

"Chennaiyin FC have made some good signings this season and so have Mumbai City [FC], FC Goa and FC Pune City. Some players can make a difference for the team, but it's a team game at the end of the day. All the teams have built strong squads. FC Goa have signed some good Brazilian players for this season including Lucio," he clairified his thoughts.

Champions in the inaugural season of the ISL, Atletico de Kolkata begin their title defense against Chennaiyin FC on 3 October 2015.

"Retaining the title will not be easy for us (Atletico de Kolkata), but we will be as competitive as possible," Franco concluded.