ISL 2015: Delhi Dynamos' strong foreign contingent makes them title contenders

Delhi’s sports fans are no strangers to words like revamp, restructure and overhaul. The Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils chop and change their team more often than a chef cutting his onions. The football team too is no exception. Delhi Dynamos, after finishing a respectable fifth in Indian Super League 2014 and missing out on the playoffs by a solitary point, have made significant changes to their franchise for the second edition. They replaced their ageing marquee player who has won everything there is to be won in world football – Alessandro del Piero – with an older marquee player-cum-manager who has also won everything there is to be won in world football – Roberto Carlos. The club logo has changed, their jerseys have changed, the European club tie-ups have changed (Feynerood are no longer associated with the franchise) and even the CEO has been replaced. [caption id=“attachment_1836109” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File picture of Hans Mulder (C). Sportzpics[/caption] This is not to say there will be instability at the club – after all, most teams in the league have gone through an overhaul. In fact, Delhi Dynamos have made some shrewd (late) additions to their squad and, on paper, look to be genuine contenders based on the foreign talent on their books. How they fared last year: Almost every team other than Chennaiyin FC and Atletico de Kolkata blew hot and cold last year and Delhi were no exception to that. After a four-match unbeaten start the season, including a 4-0 demolition of Chennaiyin FC, the Dynamos went on a five match winless streak, before finishing the season with an another five-match unbeaten run. In the end, the number of draws proved one too many as Delhi won four, drew six and lost four. Strengths: Undoubtedly, the foreign talent that Delhi have acquired. Retaining last season’s top scorer Gustavo Dos Santos, the 21-year-old Brazilian who shone with five goals and two assists, was always going to be crucial. Hans Mulder, the midfield maestro, is back too. [caption id=“attachment_2413242” align=“alignright” width=“380”] West Bromwich Albion youngster Adil Nabi. ISL[/caption] With most clubs having announced their big arrivals, Delhi bided their time before springing quite a few surprises that has made everyone sit up and take notice. The signing of former France and Chelsea star, Florent Malouda (35) and ex-Liverpool defender John Arne Riise (35) should formidably strengthen their squad. But perhaps the most crucial of them all is the loan signing of 21-year old Adil Nabi from English club West Bromwich Albion. A player rated by Tony Pulis, Albion’s manager, Nabi is an exciting, pacey forward who has come to ISL for development, rather than a final paycheck. The youngster was on fine form for the Baggies’ Under-21 team last year and caught the eye with a hat-trick against the Arsenal youth side. Roberto Carlos might just have the most-exciting young player in the league this year at his service. Weakness: It is difficult to say whether Delhi have a strong enough Indian contingent to compliment their foreign stars. Robin Singh and Anas Edathodika were acquired in the auction while Sehnaj Singh was the pick of the players from the domestic draft. While Robin is a talented player, his performances of late for the Indian team have left a lot to be desired in terms of final product. Sehnaj seems to be the only standout Indian talent that they have. Subashish Roy Chowdhry should prove a good acquisition as goalkeeper, but the defence feels light-weight. The other issue is the lack of coaching experience of their marquee-man, Roberto Carlos. With brief unsuccessful stints at the helm in Russia and Turkey since his retirement in 2012, Carlos is a gamble that could backfire on the club in this hectic format. What to expect from Delhi Dynamos: “I am getting to know the Indian players and they are really good,” Carlos said in the lead up to the tournament. “It’s just that the mentality to play for a win that I would like to instill into them. Because for me playing is winning.” “I would like them to play offensive. For me this is how football should be played. People don’t come to see a game where the teams play for a tie.” The man has promised attacking football and he certainly has the talent at his disposal to deliver. The question is, how much of Carlos the player will the fans get to see? “I think I’ll probably join them in the field when they are winning and go out when the situation is opposite,” joked Carlos. For someone who played his last competitive game in Russia in 2012, Delhi fans should be glad with just fleeting glimpses of their ageing star. Best playing XI: Subashish Roy Chowdhary, Anwar Ali, Anas Edathodika, Robert Lalthlamuana, John Arne Riise, Serginho Greene, Sehnaj Singh, Gustavo Dos Santos, Florent Malouda, Robin Singh, Adil Nabi