Kerala Blasters FC head into the 2025–26 Indian Super League season amid one of the most turbulent periods in Indian football, with significant squad churn reflecting both structural uncertainty in the league and a conscious shift in the club’s sporting strategy.
The latest transfer window has seen the Kochi-based club undergo a major reset, with high-profile exits balanced by a mix of experienced foreign recruits, domestic reinforcements and youth promotions.
A window shaped by uncertainty
The backdrop to Kerala Blasters’ transfer activity is the unprecedented disruption to the ISL calendar. With the Master Rights Agreement expiring and the league delayed before eventually restarting in a truncated format, clubs were forced to reassess finances, contracts and long-term planning. For Kerala Blasters, this translated into difficult but calculated decisions, particularly regarding foreign signings and senior Indian players on high wages.
The most eye-catching departures came in attack and midfield. Adrian Luna and Noah Sadaoui, two of the club’s most influential players in recent seasons, have moved out on loan, reducing immediate financial pressure while keeping the door open for a future return. Their temporary exits, however, leave a significant creative vacuum. Alongside them, familiar names such as Dusan Lagator, Koldo Obieta, Juan Rodriguez and Tiago Alves have exited after short stints, underlining how pre-season plans were reshaped by the shifting league landscape.
The club has also parted ways with young domestic talents Md. Azhar and Md. Aimen, both products of the system who had begun to feature regularly. Their exits point to the broader churn within Indian football, where instability has seen players seek clearer pathways and security elsewhere.
New faces, new profiles
Against this backdrop, Kerala Blasters’ incoming list reflects a pragmatic approach. Rather than marquee names, the club has focused on players with experience in Asian leagues, versatility across positions, and the ability to adapt quickly to a compressed season.
Spanish striker Victor Bertomeu is one of the headline additions. A proven campaigner across multiple Asian competitions, Bertomeu brings physicality and penalty-box presence, attributes Kerala Blasters will rely on heavily in the absence of Luna and Sadaoui. Supporting him is French attacker Kevin Yoke, whose flexibility allows him to operate across the front line and add tactical options.
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In midfield, the signing of Matias Hernandez stands out. The Spanish defensive midfielder offers height, ball-winning ability and positional discipline, areas where the Blasters were often exposed last season. His role is expected to be central to stabilising the team in a shortened league where margins for error are slim. Rowlin Borges adds further experience in the engine room, bringing leadership and familiarity with the demands of Indian football after years at the top level.
Defensively, the arrival of Marlon Roos-Trujillo and Oumar Nah is aimed at increasing physical presence and depth. With the team likely to adopt a more compact, structured approach, defensive reliability will be key, especially in away fixtures.
Beyond foreign signings, Kerala Blasters have leaned heavily on Indian recruits and internal promotions. Players like Muhammad Ajsal, Ebindas Y and Jaganath Jayan represent the club’s continued faith in its developmental pipeline. In a season defined by uncertainty, these inclusions are not just cost-effective but symbolic of a longer-term vision rooted in local talent.
The return of familiar domestic names also helps maintain continuity with the fanbase. Even as high-profile exits grab attention, the club has been careful to retain a strong Indian spine, crucial in a league where squad balance often defines success.
Tactical implications under David Català
Head coach David Català now faces the challenge of knitting together a reworked squad in minimal time. The departures of Luna and Sadaoui suggest a shift away from a free-flowing, transition-heavy style towards a more controlled, pragmatic setup. Expect Kerala Blasters to prioritise defensive structure, midfield compactness and efficiency in front of goal rather than high-risk attacking football.
The likely emphasis will be on grinding out results in a single-leg season where consistency matters more than flair. Players like Hernandez and Borges are central to this approach, while Bertomeu’s role as a focal point up front becomes even more important.
For Kerala Blasters, the 2025–26 season is less about silverware and more about stability. The club’s transfer business reflects an organisation adapting to external pressures while trying to protect its long-term identity. The moves made this window suggest a “bridge season” approach staying competitive now, while keeping options open for a more expansive rebuild once the league regains structural clarity.
Much will depend on how quickly the new signings settle and whether the younger players can step up under pressure. With passionate support expected to follow the team regardless of circumstances, Kerala Blasters will hope that resilience on and off the pitch defines their campaign.
