Chennaiyin FC’s new signing Vincy Barretto is looking forward to playing in front of the Chennaiyin FC fans when the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) returns with the 2022-23 season.

Barretto made the move to Chennaiyin FC from Kerala Blasters FC in the summer and is looking forward to impressing his new set of fans as he aims to help Chennaiyin FC fight for top honours again.

"I'm so happy to be here. For me, it's a different challenge and [the chance to play with] different people from different places. I'm very excited, so happy to be part of Chennaiyin FC,” Barretto told Sportskeeda.com in an interview.

"I think this season will be the best for the Chennai people. They will be behind us and support us for sure. Last season, everyone was in bubbles, couldn't meet their families. Maybe because of that, these two years [were difficult]. But I think this season will be the best and people will smile a lot,” he added.

The 22-year-old midfielder who made his Hero ISL debut last season with Kerala Blasters FC felt he tried too hard at times as he made 17 appearances for Ivan Vukomanovic’s team that went all the way to the final.

However, with fans behind the players this season, Barretto expects to deliver a much better performance.

"I wasn't nervous, I had confidence in myself. I was too excited to play the game, prove myself and do what I can for the team,” he said.

"When the fans are with us, they follow us, support us from their hearts. When they are there, we can push a lot more and the fans behind us will say 'come on' and for me, it's no pressure at all,” he added.

Chennaiyin FC have made their moves early and signed a number of quality Indian players along with some notable foreigners. The Marina Machans who reached the final in Hero ISL 2019-20 have failed to reach the semi-finals since and will be looking to break that jinx this time out.

New head coach Thomas Brdaric is looking to build a new identity at Chennaiyin FC and Barretto will hope he is an integral part of his plans just as he was in case of Vukomanovic’s endeavours at Kerala Blasters FC last season.

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