Chennaiyin FC have been one of the most consistent teams in the Indian Super League (ISL) having reached the final of the ISL Cup three times. 

The Marina Machans have qualified for the knockout stages of the ISL in five seasons and were table toppers in the inaugural edition.

After missing out on the playoffs for three successive seasons from 2020-21 to 2022-23, Chennaiyin FC made the cut to the knockout stages by finishing sixth in the ISL last season. Even though they were ousted in the first knockout round, Chennaiyin FC have shown that they are on an upward trajectory under Owen Coyle who was also the last head coach to take them to the final in 2019-20 in his first stint with the team. 

Season	Outcome
2014	1st (Lost in the semi-finals)
2015	3rd (ISL Cup Winners)
2016	7th Place (Did not qualify for semi-finals)
2017-18	2nd Place (ISL Cup Winners)
2018-19	10th Place (Did not qualify for semi-finals)
2019-20	4th Place (Lost in the final)
2020-21	8th Place (Did not qualify for semi-finals)
2021-22	8th Place (Did not qualify for semi-finals)
2022-23	8th Place (Did not qualify for semi-finals)
2023-24	6th Place (Lost in first Knockout Round)

Chennaiyin FC haven’t enjoyed the best of pre-season as they failed to progress to the knockout stages of the Bandodkar Trophy losing to Odisha FC and Defensa y Justicia. In the Durand Cup, Chennaiyin FC had sent their reserve team which couldn’t clear the group stage hurdle in a tough group. 

However, Coyle’s teams are known to grow into the season and get stronger with every game. Chennaiyin FC improved in the second half of the season to secure a playoff spot last season. His Jamshedpur FC side that won the League Shield in 2021-22 also peaked during the run-in to beat the likes of Hyderabad FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant to the title. 

So, Coyle won’t be too worried about the pre-season form as his new recruits still find their feet in the new environment. 

Some words from 𝑽𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒊 🗣#AllInForChennaiyin pic.twitter.com/nfJUdH0rGc

— Chennaiyin F.C. (@ChennaiyinFC) September 3, 2024

Team Composition and Transfer Dealings

There have been a host of changes at Chennaiyin FC as Coyle shapes the squad to his liking. 15 players have left the club with 12 new ones joining in. 

Rafael Crivellaro, Jordan Murray, Christian Battoccio, Lazar Cirkovic, Rahim Ali and Aakash Sangwan are among the key players to depart with Chennaiyin FC signing the likes of Daniel Chima Chukwu, Wilmar Jordan Gil, Elsinho, Lukas Brambilla, Mandar Rao Dessai and Kiyan Nassiri to strengthen their side. Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Laldinliana Renthlei have also beena acquired in full-back positions. 

Chennaiyin FC have good balance to their teams with plenty of options across the pitch. The retention of Samik Mitra, Connor Shields, Jitshwor Singh and Ryan Edwards also give a bit of continuity to the team as Coyle has used them excessively in pre-season, allowing the new signings enough time to settle in. 

In Chukwu and Gil, Chennaiyin FC have two proven striking options which is sure to add plenty of goals to their ranks. It will be interesting to see if the Scottish head coaches pairs them up top at any point during the season. 

Transfers In

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy (Joined from Hyderabad FC) Details
Lalrinliana Hnamte (Joined from Mohun Bagan SG) Details
Mohammad Nawaz (Joined from Mumbai City FC) Details
Lukas Brambilla (Joined from Othellos Athienou) Details
Gurkirat Singh (Joined from Mumbai City FC) Details
Mandar Rao Dessai (Joined from East Bengal FC) Details
Kiyan Nassiri Giri (Joined from Mohun Bagan SG) Details
Wilmar Jordan Gil (Joined from Punjab FC) Details
Daniel Chima Chukwu (Joined from Jamshedpur FC) Details
PC Laldinpuia (Joined from Jamshedpur FC) Details
Elsinho Dias (Joined from Jamshedpur FC) Details
Jitendra Singh (Joined from Jamshedpur FC) Details

Transfers Out

Alexander Romario Jesuraj (Contract Terminated) Details
Ayush Adhikari (Contract Terminated) Details
Lazar Cirkovic Details
Sachu Siby (Contract Terminated) Details
Prateek Kumar Singh (On Loan to Dempo SC) Details
Rahim Ali (End of Contract) Details
Sweden Fernandes (End of Contract) Details
Ninthoi Meetei (End of Contract) Details
Rafael Crivellaro (End of Contract) Details
Aakash Sangwan (End of Contract) Details
Jordan Murray (End of Contract) Details
Cristian Battocchio (End of Contract) Details
Sarthak Golui (End of Loan) Details
Mobashir Rahman (End of Loan) Details
Debjit Majumder (End of Contract) Details

Key Players

ஆயிரம் வேங்கை நாமென 💪💫#AllInForChennaiyin pic.twitter.com/Flc3VGM4mm

— Chennaiyin F.C. (@ChennaiyinFC) August 19, 2024

Daniel Chima Chukwu: The Nigerian is a proven performer in the ISL and has 20 goals to his name despite suffering his share of injuries. He will reunite with Coyle under whom he had the best season of his ISL career at Jamshedpur FC where he played a big hand in helping them win the Shield. Chukwu is equally good facing the goal as he is with his back to the goal and is a perfect fit in the Coyle system. He will have his work cut out to keep Wilmar Jordan Gil out of the team and can be a massive player for the Marina Machans this season.

Jiteshwor Singh: The Indian midfielder has been impressive in the midfield for Chennaiyin FC and deservedly earned a contract extension. His energy and tenacity in midfield is typical of a midfielder playing in a Coyle team and with the Brazilian Elsinho in the team to partner him, he will get more chances to express himself. Having Elsinho’s presence in midfield is also a chance for Jiteshwor to learn from him and take the game to the next level. 

Coach

Owen Coyle: Coyle has had a long and successful career in English football and has coached in the Premier League after he helped Burnley gain promotion to the top flight. He then moved to Bolton Wanderers and also managed teams like Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers in his career. 

He is known for producing combative teams that are very hard to play against and in India, he has managed to add some flair to the steel his teams possess. A League Shield winner and an ISL Cup runner-up, Coyle has almost guaranteed success during his stint in Indian football. Heading into his second season with Chennaiyin FC in his second stint with the club, the expectation is that we will see a Chennaiyin FC side very much in his mould and one that will compete at the top end of the table. 

Fixtures 

The Marina Machans have three away games in their first four matches with them starting with a tough trip to Odisha FC who have a phenomenal home record. Their first home game will see them host newly-promoted Mohammedan SC while they will finish the year with a tasty-looking match against rivals Bengaluru FC at home. 

Full Chennaiyin FC fixtures