ISL 2017: TEAM TRACKER- Delhi Dynamos FC- Plenty of choices; finding right combinations is essential

FIFTH, FOURTH AND THIRD are the positions that Delhi Dynamos FC finished at, in the chronological order of the Indian Super League seasons. Progressive in ranking as it has been for the Delhi-based franchise but they have always fallen short of the final thrust needed in the playoff stages.

This season, with a new management and new associations, Delhi Dynamos FC again looks strongly heading towards playoffs. 2017 ISL players Draft saw some great addition of Indians into the team.

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Apart from the draft, Dynamos signed some interesting names as well. Nandha Kumar was picked up on loan from Chennai City FC and two players from India's under 19 national team, of whom Jayananda Singh has made it to the ISL senior team.
Beginning from the back, a good young keeper is Albino Gomes I-League winner with Aizawl FC. He is one of the keepers to have been consistently called up to the national camp. Surely Albino will be the one with the gloves in the first eleven. Arnab was the first choice for Minerva Punjab club in their debut last season and is a good back up keeper to have.
Mean-looking defence, consists mostly of Indians, national team player Pritam Kotal, is the stand-out name. Sena Ralte, Pratik Chowdhary, Rowilson and Mummun have played good football at the highest levels. Waiting on side lines for their chances are young Indian defenders Mohammed Sajid Dhot and Jayananda Singh. The only foreign player in the back line is the Venezuelan Gabriel Cichero. Dynamos will hope for his consistent fitness and performance to add experience to a youthful defence.

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There is an even ratio of Indian to foreigners in the midfield of the Dynamos. But easily this department will see a dominating presence of foreigners because although there some promising youngsters in the side, they will get-going after a couple of games. Lallianlzuala Chhangte and Vinit Rai are the ones who have massive potential but too many full time games early on, looks a rarity. Therefore Seityasen and Romeo, both pre-dominantly wingers should be seen supporting the team from the flanks. Simranjeet another midfielder, has experience playing in the I-League for Minerva Punjab last season, will await some starts. The overseas players in the mids are Brazilian Paulinho Dias, Uruguayan winger Matias Mirabaje , Dutch winger Jeroen Lumu and versatile player Edu Moya who can play and a right back and in the mids as well. Notable among the overseas players is Jeroen Lumu, who is just 22 and can fire up the flanks with his pace. The center of the field sure looks strong from various angles, if only Coach Miguel Portugal can find the right combinations.

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The striking department has David Ngaihte, a Manipuri, who has played in various places in midfield to the forward line. David has played for many teams like Rangdajied United, Shillong Lajong and Minerva Punjab in the I-League and for NEUFC in the ISL. Kalu Uche, the Nigerian international scored for his national team at the FIFA World Cup in 2010, will lead the team from the front. His prior ISL experience with FC Pune City will come in handy. Guyon Fernandez, the Dutch forward started his professional career with ADO Den Haag back in 2007, before joining the likes of Excelsior, Feyernoord, NAC Breda in the Dutch top division and Perth Glory in the Australian League. Guyon will be a great partner to have Uche to combine with up front.

In the pre season, Delhi Dynamos played practice games in two countries, Spain and Qatar.  Two games in each country saw them being winless in Spain and unbeaten in Qatar. Back in India, Dynamos played four games, couple against lower division sides and one against I-League club Minerva Punjab FC.; all ending in wins for DDFC. In eight game pre-season games played, the Lions managed to keep clean sheets in just two of the games. 

Delhi Dynamos FC have got a fairly good Indian defence but have some really capable players and potential game-changers available in the midfield and forward line. It is the right combinations that must click for them to see them past the semi-finals for the very first time.