Jordan Murray played a significant role in the shield-winning Jamshedpur FC, reunites with Coyle
Ex-Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC striker Jordan Murray reunites with his former boss Owen Coyle at the Marina Machans. The Australian striker is the first foreign recruitment of the season for Chennayin FC, as stamped by Marcus Mergulhao. He will be back in India after spending a somewhat less impactful season in Thai League 1 with Swat Cat FC, where his club was one of the three which got relegated.
In 30 appearances for the Thai club, Jordan scored only 6 goals and a lone assist, averaging a goal every 492 minutes. Despite his average performance in the last season, he still has an impressive record in the Hero Indian Super League. During his stint in India, Murray contributed 12 goals (11G+1A) playing as a secondary striker – averaging a goal every 174 minutes. Before arriving in India, he had plied his trade at Central Coast Mariners in A-League where he scored 7 goals in 44 matches.
The ISL has had a fair few incomings from the Thai League. Cleiton Silva, the league’s all-time top scorer, has enjoyed creating an impact with Bengaluru FC and now East Bengal. Chennaiyin’s coach for 2021-22, Bozidar Bandovic, also had a hugely successful stint with Buriram United not just in Thailand, but also in Asia. Murray’s credibility won’t be judged on these personas but on his own time in the ISL.
Jordan fulfills the Asian quota, becoming one mandatory Asian signing out of six foreigners at the club. He can be a pretty solid option in the supporting role as he can play on wings as well as in the second striker position, which is a crucial position in Owen Coyle’s system. His shield-winning teammates Farukh Chowdhary and Ishan Pandita are also linked with Chennaiyin at the moment, anticipating a reunion. Their chemistry and experience of working under Owen Coyle could work wonders for the two-time Champions.
Chennaiyin FC is also planning to get more foreign reinforcements in the attack. Add to that, they have secured the signature of I-League 2nd division Golden Boot winner Irfan Yadwad. With the likes of Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Ninthoi Meetei, Vincy Barreto, and Rahim Ali already in the team, they are looking like a lethal attacking unit.
