Ashley Westwood: 'Only the best players play' ahead of Kerala Blasters' ISL opener
Kerala Blasters head coach Ashley Westwood and captain Adrian Luna addressed the media on 10 October 2026 ahead of their Indian Super League 2026-27 opener against Inter Kashi at Balewadi Stadium in Pune on 11 October 2026. Westwood said the squad is still assembling but emphasised that limited preparation would not be used as an excuse.
From the verge of shutting down the club to the acquisition by Al Fursan, Kerala Blasters FC have undergone a complete squad overhaul and are preparing to contest for what the club described as their first-ever silverware under Ashley Westwood and the leadership of Adrian Luna. The team began training on 30 September in Chennai following the announcement of the new management.
On plans for the season and squad assembly, Westwood said: “Of course, we’ve only been together for a week. Players have been arriving slowly. We’re still two foreigners outstanding, and still a couple of members of staff outstanding. So we’re building. The plan is to build, be consistent, and hopefully try and play some entertaining football to keep the fans entertained. Of course, we have been at this football club, and we’re here to win. It’s as simple as that.”
Asked whether the short preparation period was an issue, Westwood rejected excuses and used a poker analogy to describe dealing with limited options, adding that the group wanted match action rather than extra conditioning. He said: “Of course, we haven’t had enough time, but that’s what it is. We’re not going to be talking about that in the future. That’s what it is. Everybody knows. So I ain’t going to sit there if we lose. I’m not going to start crying and saying we’ve not had enough time. That’s the hand we have.” He continued: “Like anything, if you play poker and you get a pair of threes, you’ve got to deal with it. You’ve got to bluff your way through, and you’ve got to try and come up with a solution, and you have to try and win. And that’s what we’re doing.”
On selection and youth integration Westwood said merit, not age or origin, will decide places in the team. He told reporters: “Yeah, I mean, we’ve worked hard in a close season with the time we’ve had to try and assemble a competitive squad. Historically, I’ve played young players. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re young or old. The best players play, and we try to get the best players. We try to do the best we can.” He added: “It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what state you’re from, what part of India you’re from, or how old you are. We judge everybody on a clean slate, you know, a blank canvas. And we just try and pick the best team. Looks good on paper, but let’s see. Many teams can look good on paper, but let’s see if we’re good enough.”
Captain Adrian Luna set out his expectations for Inter Kashi, a side described in the preview as a former I-League champions with a fully Indian squad and a shorter preseason. Luna said: “I think it’s going to be every game here in India is tough to beat anyone. I know it doesn’t matter if you play with Indian squad or some foreigners. The approach of the game that I am expecting is there to sit in a little bit back, wait for us and, you know, try to counter-attack us. That’s what I am expecting and thinking in my mind.” He added: “And we have to go after them. It’s true that we have only one week of training, but it’s not going to be an excuse for us. We have to go there and try to play good football, try to win. This is more important thing and try to, you know, to start in a good way this season.” Luna also said: “Yeah, of course. I’m happy to be back. Ready for this new season. And, you know, what we’re expecting is to be competitive as always, try to win games. And that’s it. There is not much mystery on that. And we are ready for tomorrow.”
Westwood provided an update on fitness and camp mood, confirming one recent injury but otherwise reporting a fit squad. He told the media: “Everybody’s fit. We had one injury. Bikash took an injury a couple of days ago. Just pulled up with a calf. So he’ll be missing probably for about a month. But apart from that, everyone’s in good spirits, good shape. You know, we tried to build progressively. And now we just have to carry on and try and get fitter as we play games.”
Kerala Blasters meet Inter Kashi in the ISL 2026-27 opener at Balewadi Stadium, Pune on 11 October 2026, with Westwood and Luna both insisting the short preparation will not be cited as an excuse and that the team’s immediate focus is to perform and secure a winning start.