March 23, Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: Chennaiyin FC (CFC), which finished 11th in the 2024–25 season, failed this time around after making a spectacular late entrance into the Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs the previous season.

According to the ISL’s official website, the Marina Machans’ lack of consistency and effort caused them to lose out on the top six for the fourth time in the previous five years—a significant decline from their typical league standards.

Owen Coyle assembled a team with a number of game-winning players, including both talented Indian players who could steal the show on their day and seasoned foreigners who had won league titles with their former teams. They were still left out of the mix, however.

At the Kalinga Stadium, where Sergio Lobera’s team had gone undefeated the season before, the Marina Machans got off to a strong start with a crucial victory over Odisha FC. They lost their next three games, however, to upstart Mohammedan Sporting Club and NorthEast United FC, and drew with Hyderabad FC. This set the stage for a difficult season for Coyle and his squad.

Throughout the season, Chennaiyin FC’s performances were erratic, making them unpredictable. After crushing Jamshedpur FC in both legs, the two-time ISL Cup champions struggled against other top-six clubs, losing both matches against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa, Bengaluru FC, and Mumbai City FC.

Later in the season, however, the Marina Machans gave them new life with a convincing victory away against East Bengal FC. However, losses against NorthEast United FC and Bengaluru FC once again proved to be expensive.

This season, Chennaiyin FC’s U23 players have been outstanding and have had a big influence on the team’s results. With 6,225 minutes played, the team’s U23 Indian players tied for fourth place in the league. They also had 12 goal involvements, which was the second-highest total of any squad.

Irfan Yadwad’s breakthrough season was greatly aided by Owen Coyle, who is renowned for developing new talent. The Indian attacker, who had a difficult time playing last season, turned into a game-winner by scoring important goals and displaying his versatility on the pitch.

Coyle’s team finished the season with only four clean sheets, which is the second-lowest total in the league. Chennaiyin FC’s defensive shortcomings have always been a problem; this season, they lost 11 points from winning positions.

Chennaiyin FC, who were once dominating at the Marina Arena, failed to live up to the expectations of their supporters, ending the season with only three home victories—the second-worst home record in the league’s history.

With his clever ball distribution, ability to set the pace, and unwavering work ethic, Connor Shields was the engine of Chennaiyin FC’s assault. With his ability to split defenses, plan offensive plays, and regain possession, the Scottish playmaker was a key member of the Marina Machans’ midfield.

Shields tied Rafael Crivellaro’s record (2019–20) for the most assists in a single season by a Chennaiyin FC player with eight during the ISL 2024–25 season. In a single ISL season, he also generated 76 opportunities, more than any other player, breaking Greg Stewart’s record of 65 in 2021–2022.

This season, Irfan Yadwad was a brilliant addition to Chennaiyin FC’s offensive line. Over the course of 24 games, the 23-year-old attacker played 1,955 minutes.

Yadwad surpassed Jeje Lalpekhlua’s eight goal contributions in 2017–18 to record nine goal contributions in the 2024–25 season, the highest of any Indian player for Chennaiyin FC in the league stage of an ISL campaign. After Anirudh Thapa (5 in 2019–20) and Aakash Sangwan (5 in 2022–23), he ranks third among Indian players for the Marina Machans in terms of assists in a single ISL season with four.

Furthermore, Yadwad recorded 62 fouls this season, which is the most by any Indian player in a single ISL campaign and the third-highest total by any player in the 2024–25 league stage.

In their quest to recover previous glory, Chennaiyin FC will try to strengthen their defensive organization and team chemistry, especially at full-back, where they suffered the most. They struggled to establish a reliable defensive lineup throughout the season, and Ankit Mukherjee and Laldinliana Renthlei’s injuries further strained the team’s chemistry, underscoring the need for more squad depth in that area.

Shields, who took on the duty of creating opportunities, continued to be the engine of Chennaiyin FC’s attack this season. On the field, however, he often found himself alone and battling against close opposition marking.

The Marina Machans need to find players who can compliment Shields and relieve the creative load in order to improve their offensive fluency.