CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC (CFC) on Monday appointed Anirudh Thapa as their captain for the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season starting from Friday. CFC play their first match against Hyderabad on November 23.
Thapa said that the added responsibility will mean that he needs to guide the youngsters in the team.
“Ours is a young team. Before I used to look up to players and now others will be looking up to me. I need to guide them and ensure that the team stays together on and off the field. I will always protect my team and my players. Rest of the things though remain the same. I have been here for six years and it’s not hard to understand what the club wants. They want to win. And so do I. So our philosophy is the same,” Thapa told TOI.
The two-time ISL champions had a horrid 2020-21 season, finishing eighth. The season was also marred with injuries to several key attacking players in the side, including Thapa. As a result, the goals dried up and CFC struggled incessantly.
Thapa said the side has emphasised on improving their fitness under coach Bozidar Bandovic.
“We have worked hard on fitness during preseason. If you are fit, you will be more agile and alert. So you can get to the ball faster. That’s been our approach. But we agree that injuries are part and parcel of the game. To counter that threat, we have a good bench strength this season. The players are training hard and are fighting hard for a spot in the side,” Thapa asserted.
CFC have offloaded most of their foreigners from last season barring Rafael Crivellaro. Thapa said that the new foreigners have settled in as CFC aim to play entertaining football.
“Results are important for us but we also want to play well and entertain. We have a different plan this season and Bandovic has been clear on his strategy as to how we will approach each game. There is a lot of positivity in the side this time around. The strength of this team is unity and never give up spirit. So we need to execute the tactics both as a team and on an individual level. If we can do small things right, the larger picture will take care of itself,” Thapa said.
