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The 3rd edition of the Indian Super League is almost upon us. Indian football’s biggest extravaganza is set to have a star-studded chapter. The tournament begins on 1st October when NorthEast United FC takes on Kerala Blasters at Guwahati.
The pre-season preparations of all teams are in full swing with most of them opting to have a stint overseas. Defending champions Chennaiyin FC will be plotting to retain their hard-fought title while the challengers have bolstered their ranks with quality players.
It is not just the high profile players who are the attraction but also the presence of a high-class array of coaches which lends a measure of credibility to the 3-month long tournament. With coaches of the calibre of Zico, Gianluca Zambrotta, Marco Materazzi, Steve Coppell, Antonio Habas etc, the season promises to be a high-octane one.
Besides the marquee players, the teams have also adopted a calculated approach to player recruitment, which is sure to raise the standard of the league.
Though Chennaiyin FC have not been able to retain the services of last year’s Hero of the League John Steven Mendoza, who now plays for New York City FC in MLS, there is no dearth of big names in the tournament. Let’s take a look at the 10 players to watch out for in this year’s ISL.
#10 Florent Malouda (Delhi Dynamos)
Former Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda was the creative force behind Delhi Dynamos’ sparkling run to the semifinals last year, where they lost out to FC Goa. It was no surprise to see the Frenchman being retained as a ‘marquee’ player by the Delhi outfit as they seek to land their first ISL title this year.
In fact, the EPL winner looked to be in fantastic form during Delhi’s pre-season games this time out. Malouda, who was capped by France about 80 times, has been playing for Egyptian side Wadi Degla since January this year. He has scored 3 goals for them in 16 appearances and looks to be match fit.
The 36-year-old has shown that he still has the quality to control games from the middle of the field rather than from out wide as he did during his heydeys. Delhi’s fortunes this season will definitely revolve around Malouda who is certain to be one of the fixed names in Zambrotta’s starting lineup.
#9 Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)
The Mizoram born striker is probably the new poster boy of Indian football after enjoying a productive domestic season with Mohun Bagan. Jeje scored 8 goals in Bagan’s victorious Federation Cup campaign and notched a further 4 goals in the I-League.
He also had a productive AFC Cup chipping in with 6 goals and was awarded the Indian Player of the Year title by his peers. Jeje has also sparkled with the national team in recent times and looks to be in prime form. Chennaiyin FC will want Jeje to translate his domestic form onto the ISL and he has already proved that he is capable.
The 25-year-old was also the 2nd highest Indian goalscorer in ISL 2015 (6 goals) and was named the Emerging Player of the League. Jeje, who can operate as a lone striker and as a supporting striker, will be a vital cog in Materazzi’s team.
#8 Apoula Edel (FC Pune City)
Apoula Edel Bete is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the league. He has the unique distinction of having won the ISL twice in its short 2-year-history. He was a part of the Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) side which won the inaugural edition and was also Chennaiyin’s custodian when it won the title last year.
Now, the Cameroon-born Armenian has been snapped by FC Pune City, who will be coached by former ATK coach Antonio Habas. Edel, who won the Golden Glove last season with 6 clean sheets, is a proven customer between the sticks in the ISL.
Though his goalkeeping style often looks ungainly, he has good reflexes which help him make terrific saves as found out first hand by Michael Chopra in the 2014 ISL final between Kerala Blasters and ATK. Habas will be hoping Edel’s record of winning the ISL continues for a 3rd straight season.
#7 Eugeneson Lyngdoh (FC Pune City)
Eugeneson Lyngdoh is often termed India’s best midfielder and it is not hard to see why when he plays. The Meghalaya-born player is technically superior and is a man for all seasons in the middle of the park. A good passer, Eugeneson also excels in holding up play and creating chances.
He was one of Pune’s most impressive players last season and also shone with his parent club Bengaluru FC in the I-League and AFC Cup. The 30-year-old will want to build on his solid performance for FC Pune City last season.
Eugeneson's career bloomed late after he made the switch to Bengaluru FC from Rangdajied in 2014. He had a breakthrough season with BFC and he followed it up with another sparkling campaign this time around. He was also the winner of the 2015 AIFF Player of the Year award. The aesthetically pleasing Eugeneson will be a crucial player this season for Pune and is certainly one to watch out for.
#6 John Arne Riise (Chennaiyin FC)
Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise is not a new customer in the ISL. He was an integral part of the Delhi Dynamos side that reached the semifinals last season. He made 15 appearances and even scored a goal for the Delhi outfit against FC Pune City. After last season’s campaign, the 36-year-old brought himself out of semi-retirement to sign up for the defending champions Chennaiyin FC this time around. Riise is also Chennaiyin’s marquee signing for this season after Elano opted against playing the ISL.
Riise can play in the centre of the defense as well as left-back while he featured in the middle of the park as well last season. Marco Materazzi will definitely be looking to utilise the Norwegian’s versatility and experience as they prepare to defend their title.
The Super Machaans’ fans will be eager to see those famously thunderous shots from Riise’s left leg.
#5 Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC)
One of India’s greatest ever footballers, the 32-year-old Sunil Chhetri has shown no signs of his easing off and has been as mercurial as ever for both the Indian team and Bengaluru FC. He played an instrumental role in Bengaluru FC regaining the I-League title and reaching the AFC Cup semifinals.
He was also a vital player for Mumbai City FC in last year’s ISL and notched 7 goals to become the highest scoring Indian. Chhetri was also the first Indian player to score a hattrick in ISL, when he did so against NorthEast United last season. Chhetri had developed a frosty relationship with Nicolas Anelka, who coached Mumbai last year.
But the Indian captain will be relieved to play under a new coach and continue his goalscoring exploits from last season. Under Costa Rican coach Alexandre Guimaraes, Chhetri is guaranteed to play a key role in helping Mumbai win the coveted ISL trophy.
#4 Iain Hume (Atletico de Kolkata)
Iain Hume is a proven customer in the ISL, having been named the Hero of the League in 2014 for his inspirational performances for Kerala Blasters. He was prolific in the 2nd season as well, having scored 11 goals to become the 2nd highest goalscorer behind Stiven Mendoza.
Hume is a hardworking striker and is an asset to any team he plays. The Canadian’s commitment levels are unparalleled and is easily a crowd favourite. He is capable of the extraordinary as well as the mundane while his versatility makes him an extremely desirable player.
Though he was one of the most sought after players following his performances last season, the 32-year-old penned an extension with Atletico de Kolkata for this season. The former Leicester City striker will definitely be aiming to win the coveted ISL trophy this time. Hume, who is an ultimate team player, is undoubtedly one of the stars of the tournament.
#3 Lucio (FC Goa)
The Brazilian centre-back, a World Cup winner, is an absolute legend of the game and is an inspirational figure for the Gaurs after leading them to the finals last season. FC Goa coach Zico relies on his captain to set the tempo for his team and Lucio’s presence was a calming factor for Goa last season.
The Brazilian made more appearances that any other marquee player in the tournament (14) last season. But there will be slight concerns over his fitness as Lucio has not played for any other club following the conclusion of the ISL last year.
Even then, the team management’s decision to retain him as their marquee player was well received by the fans who will be hoping to see the 38-year-old’s marauding runs from the heart of the defence. After losing last year’s final in heartbreaking fashion, Lucio’s mission this year will be to go one up and lift the title.
#2 Helder Postiga (Atletico de Kolkata)
Helder Postiga, the Portuguese striker who has played for the likes of Valencia and Tottenham Hotspurs, is back at Atletico de Kolkata for a second season and he would be hoping for a better one this time around after being injured on his debut last season. But the striker had showcased his quality by bagging a double in the game.
This time, he will want to build on that and show his quality to the Indian audience. The Sourav Ganguly owned team opted to bring Postiga back as their marquee player after a deal for Diego Forlan collapsed and the 34-year-old will be desperate to ensure that ATK don't regret the decision.
He is an experienced international, having played 71 times for Portugal. Postiga will be playing under a new coach in Jose Molina and will be eager to link up with Hume and form a deadly attack for the Kolkata-based team.
#1 Diego Forlan (Mumbai City FC)
Diego Forlan is a name that does not need an introduction, having played for the likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid before being named the Best player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Uruguayan brings star power to this season’s ISL and will be a huge boost for Mumbai City FC who have not yet qualified for the semifinals of the ISL.
The prospect of watching the 37-year-old play is sure to get the fans drooling and hopefully it will rejuvenate the Ranbir Kapoor-owned side that failed with their decision to sign Nicolas Anelka last season. Forlan, who is Uruguay’s most capped player, is also a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe.
Known for turning up on the big occasions, Forlan is certain to set to make an impact in the ISL and his team will be hoping it’s a positive one.
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