Chennaiyin FC were quick to retain their midfield talisman Harmanjot Khabra for the second season of the Hero Indian League [ISL]. Last year, Khabra played a key role (three assists in 15 outings) in Chennai’s run to the semi-finals which also saw them end the league as the highest-scoring team. Speaking to indiansuperleague.com ahead of ISL 2015, the versatile midfielder seemed in a buoyant mood and announced his intentions to replicate his recent triumph with East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League.

“Yeah there [CFL] we finished first. I just want to continue from there and just make a memorable season this year because I'm already the champion in the Calcutta Football League, so my target is to do the same as a Chennaiyin FC player and make it a memorable year for Chennaiyin FC,” Khabra said at the ISL Media Day last week.

The Punjab-born midfielder is clearly enjoying his time at the Southern outfit and named a few of his team-mates when asked who he was closest to: “My best buddies are Elano [Blumer], [Berdnard] Mendy and especially Edel [Bete],” Khabra revealed.

Khabra’s close relationship with his team-mates came in handy last season as he gained plaudits from all quarters for his brilliant link-up play with his forward line and Elano in particular.

“See, in Indian football everybody knows me as a utility player so I can settle in all positions. So there's no difficulty for me but I always try to help the team, and any role I am given in the midfield, I try to be there, up to the mark,” Khabra spoke of his style of play.

Does he miss “traditional North Indian food” having played most of his football away from home for the likes of Sporting Goa and East Bengal in a career spanning nine years? “Yes obviously I've been out for so many years because I'm playing in Kolkata but I've got a friend who is a Punjabi chef and he always tries to give me the best [food] and that helps me perform.”

Khabra and co. will be hoping to get their season off to a flying start when they host defending champions Atlético de Kolkata in the opening game of Season 2 on October 3.