With a new manager at the helm and a defence in dire need of restructuring, Kerala Blasters FC wasted no time in securing their first summer reinforcement: Amey Ranawade.

The former Mumbai City FC full-back, fresh off two loan seasons at Odisha FC, is seen as a key piece in David Catala’s rebuild.

Kerala Blasters’ backline was one of their biggest liabilities last season, plagued by inconsistency and individual errors, nine of which directly led to goals, the joint-most alongside Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024–25 campaign.

And the right-back position, in particular, lacked a settled figure.

What does Ranawade bring to Kerala Blasters FC?

Stability. Kerala Blasters FC have long been in search of consistency for the full-back position. They signed Aibanbha Dohling two seasons ago with high expectations, but persistent injuries meant he missed most of the two campaigns.

Over the past two seasons, the club has tried six different players in the right-back role: Sandeep Singh, Prabir Das, Aibanbha Dohling, Hormipam Ruivah, Pritam Kotal, and Saurav Mandal, with the last three making only sporadic appearances.

Ranawade's inclusion should answer those questions. His fitness record is also terrific, missing out on the Matchweek squad only once in the last two seasons, making 46 out of 49 appearances in the league. That speaks volumes about his reliability. And the five-year contract handed to the 27-year-old reflects the management’s belief in him as a long-term solution at right-back.

How does he fit into the side?

Catala prefers a flexible defensive structure that can switch between low, mid, and high blocks. This demands positional intelligence and discipline: areas where Ranawade excels.

With the current options at right-back limited to Sandeep, Hormipam, and Dohling, Ranawade’s experience and composure will likely give him the edge. He also fits seamlessly into Catala’s preferred four-man defence, offering both defensive stability and offensive intent.

Having won the ISL Cup and two ISL Shields with Mumbai City FC, Ranawade brings not just quality, but also a winning mentality — something KBFC’s youthful squad can benefit greatly from.

How good is Ranawade going forward?

Ranawade is known for his phenomenal overlapping runs — arguably the biggest trait that sets him apart from the current full-backs at KBFC.

He’s a great carrier of the ball too, has quick feet in tight areas, and displays excellent composure in possession. These attributes have already earned him respect in previous teams and could make him an immediate fan favourite in Kochi.

Player	Amey Ranawade	Sandeep Singh	Aibanbha Dohling	Prabir Das
Games Played	46	35	15	14
Minutes Played	3795	2421	810	515
Goals	1	0	0	0
Assists	6	0	0	0
Chances Created	32	16	0	4
Final Third Entries	200	228	61	58
Penalty Area Entries	171	120	27	17
All Progressive Ball Carries	147	115	41	24
Passing Accuracy (%)	81.48	69.85	76.55	67.33
Duel Success (%)	46.58	52.23	50.79	57.45
Tackle Success (%)	73.33	77.19	86.67	70

He has seven goal contributions in the last two ISL seasons. Even though he didn’t register any direct goal contributions last season, he still created 16 chances — the same number as the season before. Odisha FC’s overall attacking struggles last season meant many of these chances went unconverted.

How could Ranawade combine with Korou Singh?

One of the most exciting prospects is the potential partnership between Ranawade and Korou Singh on the right flank. Korou’s explosive pace and direct running style impressed fans last season. Pair that with Ranawade’s tactical discipline and attacking instinct, and you have a potentially devastating right-sided duo.

The blend of experience and youthful exuberance could become a key part of Catala’s game plan, giving Blasters an edge in both defensive shape and offensive transitions.

The first signing of the David Catala era brings a wave of optimism to the Blasters camp. Ranawade’s addition could well be the beginning of something special.