For the Kerala Blasters faithful, every season begins as a “new dawn of hope.” Yet, history has a cruel way of repeating itself. To this day, the Blasters remain the only side yet to taste national-tier success in the top flight of Indian football. Sometimes the season is a total train wreck; other times, they make it all the way to the final step only to trip over their own shadow. As Pulasta Dhar famously put it after their last Super Cup exit, they have a knack for falling short “in the Kerala Blasters way.”
However, as the 12th edition of the ISL kicks off today at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, the air feels different. This isn’t just another campaign; it is an extraordinary, high-pressure sprint. It’s a fight for survival.
FieldVision India takes you inside this extraordinary and challenging season, a year where the Tuskers aren’t just playing for points, but for their very life.
An Anomaly of Silence
The Blasters won’t be taking the pitch with the luxury of a star-powered squad or the headline-grabbing names that usually define their identity. Their reality is now identical to that of any other club lacking a massive financial safety net. They’ve had to watch helplessly as their best players, including the likes of Adrian Luna and Noah Sadaoui, departed on loan just to keep the lights on.
The crisis went deeper than just the roster. At one point, the situation was so dire that the club endured a temporary operational shutdown. CEO Abhik Chatterjee didn’t sugarcoat the gravity of the situation: the management seriously considered shutting down the club entirely. The “economic bloodbath” of a truncated, 13-game season meant that the goalposts shifted overnight.
Consequently, the atmosphere in the fan forums has shifted from “this is our year” to a grim, realistic hope for stability. The deafening hype of previous seasons has been replaced by prayers for survival, a thin veil over a fan base that realistically expects nothing more than the avoidance of humiliation. This year, for the first time, the goal isn’t a trophy; it’s simply to ensure the club still exists when the dust settles.
The Great Reset: Transfers
The Tuskers bid a painful adieu to all six foreigners, including the heartbeat of the club Adrian Luna. This exodus was further intensified by the shocking exits of the “twin duo” Aimen and Azhar, alongside Amey Ranawade and Nora Fernandes, all of whom had left a significant mark during their time with the Blasters. While these departures cast a deep gloom over the fanbase, supporters have had to face the harsh reality of the long-standing uncertainty in Indian football and the subsequent financial hardships the management endured.
Despite these difficult exits, Kerala Blasters managed to pull off some quick, eleventh-hour movements to assemble a competitive squad for the league. Rowllin Borges was the first on the list; an experienced Indian presence in the middle of the park is something the Blasters have missed for years, and the hope is that Rowllin can finally provide that answer. He was followed by German attacking midfielder Marlon Roos-Trujillo. More than a traditional playmaker, the 22-year-old, who once shared the pitch with stars like Jamal Musiala in his youth, offers the versatility to be used in various roles as needed.
The wings also saw a new edge with the arrival of Frenchman Kevin Yoke, who brings a different physical profile to the flanks. To anchor the midfield, the club added Spaniard Matias Hernandez, who is already familiar with Indian conditions thanks to his stint with fellow Kerala side Gokulam in the last Super Cup. The questions surrounding the striking department were answered by the signing of another Spaniard, Victor Bertomeu, who brings prior experience in Asian football.
Leading the backline will be the Senegalese stopper Oumar Bah, who is expected to command the defense from the start. Perhaps the most poetic addition is the homecoming of Salahudheen Adnan, a former reserve side player. Fans aren’t likely to forget Salah anytime soon, as he was the very player who troubled the Blasters and knocked them out of the Super Cup earlier in 2025. To round out the roster for the 2026 campaign, the club has also promoted youth prospects Jaganath Jayan and Muhammad Ajsal into the main squad.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Sachin Suresh, Arsh Anwer Shaikh, Alsabith Sulaiman
Defenders: Oumar Bah, Bikash Yumnam, Hormipam Ruivah, Naocha Singh, Aibanbha Dohling, Sandeep Singh, Muhammed Saheef, Sumit Sharma, Jaganath Jayan
Midfielders: Marlon Roos-Trujillo, Vibin Mohanan, Danish Farooq, Rowllin Borges, Freddy Lallawmawma, Luis Matías Hernández, Nihal Sudeesh, Salahudheen Adnan, Ebindas Yesudasan
Forwards: Víctor Bertomeu, Kévin Yoke, Korou Singh, Lalthanmawia Renthlei, Muhammad Ajsal, Sreekuttan MS
The Man at the Helm: David Catala
Kerala Blasters brought the Spaniard on board just after the 2024-25 ISL season, ahead of the first Super Cup in 2025. Since then, Català has led the team through a second Super Cup in the latter half of the year as well. In both tournaments, his tenure followed a frustratingly familiar pattern: the team would roar into a strong start, only to lose all momentum and exit the competition in heartbreaking fashion, true to the “typical Kerala Blasters way.”
After much anticipation and a long wait, David Català will finally make his debut in the ISL dugout tonight. It goes without saying that he does not have the luxury of a star-studded squad. Instead, he faces the league with perhaps the least-hyped roster in the history of the club, tasked with finding success where others with far more resources have failed.
Preferred Lineup
Català is expected to favor a 4-4-2 formation or its flexible variations. In a season where the squad lacks individual “superstars,” his system will likely rely on structural discipline and a high-work-rate midfield.
Without the creative edge of a peak Adrian Luna, the 4-4-2 suggests a more direct approach. The physicality of Kevin Yoke on the flanks and the poaching instincts of Victor Bertomeu up top indicate a team built to capitalize on crosses and quick transitions rather than slow, patient build-up play.
With the arrival of Rowllin Borges and Matias Hernandez, expect a “double pivot” that prioritizes shielding the defense. This setup allows the full-backs more freedom to push forward, providing the width that the squad might otherwise lack in the final third.
The defense will be structured as a four-man line, anchored by two central defenders, likely led by the Bikash Yumnam. In this setup, the wingbacks are expected to play a crucial role; while their primary duty remains defensive stability, they are given the license to take the ball forward on occasion to provide the width needed in transition. This balance allows the backline to remain compact while still offering an overlapping outlet for the attack.
The Roadblocks Ahead
Kerala Blasters were forced to dismantle their core contingent due to the unfortunate economic circumstances currently strangling the Indian football ecosystem. This forced “reset” has resulted in a deterred squad that lacks the depth fans are accustomed to. One persistent concern is the right-back position; the historical headache in this area continues to loom large, with no clear, dominant solution in sight.
Furthermore, the foreign signings completed during the winter window appear significantly shallow when compared to the high-profile “statement” arrivals of years past. Beyond the lack of star power, there is a worrying lack of recent match fitness; some of these new arrivals have seen minimal game time over the last couple of seasons. The financial decline is even more staggering behind the scenes. Sources close to the club indicate that some players are receiving as little as $1,200 per month, a figure that would have been unthinkable in previous seasons when the club was among the league’s top spenders.
Beyond the foreigners, there is the question of the Indian contingent. After a period of long inactivity, how these domestic players will cope with the physical demands of a shortened, high-intensity league remains an unanswered question. Above all, the greatest challenge for David Català will be the clock. Creating genuine chemistry within a completely overhauled squad in such a brief window is a monumental task. For the Tuskers this year, the primary opponent might not be the team across the pitch, but the lack of time and resources to build a cohesive unit.
The Verdict: Expected Position
Contrary to previous seasons, Kerala Blasters are not entering this campaign with a squad built to compete for the summit. While the team still possesses a decent roster capable of putting up a fight, everything hinges on how David Català and his side navigate the immense challenges ahead.
The team arguably has the mettle to finish between 4th and 7th in a best-case scenario, provided the chemistry clicks instantly. Realistically, however, a finish in the 8th to 10th range seems more likely given the lack of depth. In the absolute worst case, the Tuskers could slide as low as 12th.
For the fans, anything beyond that would be utterly unacceptable. In a season where the AIFF has signaled that relegation is no longer a distant threat but a looming reality for the bottom-dwellers, finishing in those lower rungs would bring more than just disappointment, it would bring the ultimate humiliation of the drop.
Manjappada – The X factor
Tactics and transfers aside, the greatest asset the Tuskers possess remains their 12th man, the Manjappada. Whether playing at home or away, these passionate supporters have always formed a wall of yellow behind their team. The atmosphere at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kaloor is iconic, creating an unforgettable experience not just for the Blasters, but for every rival player who steps onto that turf.
After opening their campaign tonight at the Salt Lake Stadium against Mohun Bagan, the Blasters return to Kochi for three consecutive home games (starting with Mumbai City FC on Feb 22). In a truncated, single-leg season where every point is magnified, these three matches in Kaloor will be the defining moment for the Southern side. They aren’t just games; they are the foundation of the season. Failing to capitalize on the home-field advantage and the energy of the Manjappada could quickly turn this “extraordinary” season into another one to forget for the Tuskers.
Ones to Watch
The player the club and the rest of India will be watching forward eagerly is the recently promoted Muhammad Ajsal. The Malayali forward arrives in the senior team fresh off a sensational run in the 2025 Super League Kerala. His consistent performances, saw him bag the Player of the Tournament (MVP) award, finishing as the league’s top Indian scorer. His readiness to compliment the striking zone is perhaps the biggest silver lining of the Blasters’ current predicament.
The spine of the team will rely heavily on the veteran experience of Rowllin Borges in midfield and the growing maturity of Bikash Yumnam in defense. In Rowllin, Kerala Blasters finally have the luxury of an experienced Indian general to anchor the center, a profile they have lacked for ages. Complementing him at the back is Bikash, who, despite his young age, has consistently showcased a solid, composed defensive style that defies his years. The team will be counting on him to maintain that stability against the league’s most clinical attackers.
Among the foreign contingent, Victor Bertomeu is the man expected to provide the spark in this time of darkness. The Spaniard brings significant experience in Asian conditions, having even made his mark in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2) during his stint with Eastern. His high energy and proven ability to lead the line will be instrumental if the Blasters are to find a way through the tactical hurdles of the 12th edition.
Closing Thoughts
After months of administrative drama and whispers that the league might not even happen, the Blasters are walking into a “truncated” season that feels more like a sprint than a marathon. With the schedule squeezed into a single-leg round-robin and a massive squad overhaul, the margin for error has completely vanished.
The task ahead is as daunting as it gets. New boss David Català leads a refreshed, “budget-conscious” unit, relying on the growth of young players and hope that their recent signings manage to find the rhythm quickly.
As the whistle blows for this 12th edition of the ISL today, the question remains: Can this group, forged in the fires of a financial crisis, finally shed the “Tuskers” curse? Or are we simply witnessing the first chapter of another “Blasters-way” heartbreak? For a club that nearly ceased to exist just months ago, the journey is no longer just about the trophy, it is about the survival of the spirit.
“An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.” — Emil Zátopek
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