ISL 2019-20 | Very happy Ahmed Jahouh isn’t playing, says John Gregory
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Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory has expressed his delight at the absence of Ahmed Jahouh from the FC Goa side as he would continue to serve his suspension from last season. Gregory also stated that this time he has made the right changes in the team after things didn’t go as planned last season.
Despite having stars like Edu Bedia, Ferran Corominas, and Mourtada Fall, FC Goa’s lynchpin has always been their anchor Ahmed Jahouh. With his brilliant game reading skills, intercepting qualities, and ability to find his teammates with perfectly weighted balls on the flanks, the Moroccan international has been the lynchpin to the side.Â
Chennaiyin FC coach Gregory couldn’t agree anymore, who sounded delighted by the fact that the midfielder was suspended for their game against the Gaurs away from home."He is probably my favourite player. He has been instrumental to Goa’s success. I think Sergio has used him very well in the position he has played him in. He has always been the outstanding player for FC Goa.Â
“So, I am very happy he isn’t playing," Gregory quipped when asked if the Moroccan's absence could be advantageous to his team,” said Gregory at the pre-match press conference, reported the ISL website.
However, Gregory was quick to point out the strengths of his side as well, who has seen a major upgrade since last season, when they finished bottom of the league while defending their title. "We have signed the likes of Edwin (Vanspaul) and (Lallianzuala) Chhangte, while Dhanpal Ganesh and (Anirudh) Thapa have signed long term contracts.Â
“We feel that the domestic players are the future for Chennaiyin over the next few seasons. We are very happy with our domestic players. With the six new foreigners that have come in, we hope that they have the same kind of influence the foreigners had in the fourth season,” said Gregory.
Chennaiyin could win just twice last season, losing 13 of their remaining 16 matches. And Gregory admitted that things didn’t go as expected and this time he has made the right changes in the right areas.Â
"We didn’t get the performances we were anticipating in the previous season. Going into last season as champions, we didn’t perform to our fullest as a group. We didn’t meet the standards that we had set as a team two seasons back as well. So, we had to make important changes, especially among the domestic players. We feel we made the right changes in the right areas. There are improvements right through the team. Some things had to change, and we have done that,” Gregory added.
