Owen Coyle was the mastermind behind last season’s stunning recovery, which saw Chennaiyin go from rock bottom to within a game of the ISL title. But over the summer, the Scotsman made the decision to sign for Jamshedpur, taking along with him ISL 2019-20 ‘Golden Boot’ winner Nerijus Valskis.

Mizo defender Laldinliana Renthlei, who wore Chennaiyin’s blue for a couple of seasons, has also joined JFC. Coyle knows the players that he left behind really well, but doesn’t believe that it is an advantage. “Obviously, we know CFC’s strengths,” he said.

“But, I have always felt that when you come up against your old team and players, they want to show you that they are still the top players you believed they were. So, we will be very respectful of them,” added Coyle. The signing of Valskis will no doubt add teeth to Jamshedpur’s attack. But, Coyle will be aware that more pressing problems lie elsewhere.

JFC conceded 35 goals last season, with only Hyderabad FC (HFC) having a more porous defence. It remains to be seen whether the captures of former Sunderland defender Peter Hartley and Nigerian centre-back Stephen Eze will improve things.

For CFC, the biggest task will be to fill the gaps left behind by departing players. Of the foreign contingent from ISL Season 6, only new captain Rafael Crivellaro and Eli Sabia remain. Head coach Csaba Laszlo would hope for good performances from new recruits Jakub Sylvestr, Esmael ‘Isma’ Goncalves, Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev and Enes Sipovic.

Jamshedpur fans will find a familiar face in the Chennaiyin ranks — Brazilian Memo Moura who played for them the last three years. Despite all the additions, Crivellaro, who created more chances than anyone in ISL 2019-20, is expected to shoulder much of the burden.

However, CFC boasts of a strong Indian core, comprising Lallianzuala Chhangte, Anirudh Thapa and Vishal Kaith among others.