Kerala Blasters FC head Ivan Vukomanovic has issued a warning for other Hero Indian Super League clubs before the next season of the tournament. The Tuskers had qualified for the final in the previous edition and Vukomanovic stated that they have some unpredictable and dangerous players at the club for the coming season, who can help them go all the way in the competition.
Kerala Blasters FC had lost on penalties in the final of the previous season of the tournament against Hyderabad FC and they will be looking to go one step higher than they did in the last edition.
“Overall, we have managed to bring together a compact team with balance in all the departments,” Vukomanovic told Malayala Manorama in an interview.
“Last year, we did not have enough bench strength to deal with the absence of key players in crucial matches. This team has some unpredictable and dangerous players. Kaliuzhnyi is one of them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Serbian was able to get the best of his players in the previous season. Vukomanovic said that he doesn’t want big players in his team but wants players who have the hunger to give their best on the pitch.
“All the foreign recruits for the new season are proven players. We don’t want big names in our team. We want players who have an insatiable hunger for success and those who feel proud to wear the yellow shirt,” he said.
Kerala Blasters FC gaffer added that the playing style depends on the potential of the players as well as the opposition they are facing.
“The playing style depends on the individual potential of each player,” he said.
“Last season, we began most of the matches in the 4-4-2 formation. However, we tried out various other formations depending upon the situation created by the opponents. You might have noticed full-backs attacking vigorously while fulfilling the defensive duties and midfielder Sahal (Abdul Samad) playing as a pure striker,” he said.
Kerala Blasters FC is currently in the UAE, where they are preparing for the upcoming season.