Season 3 of the Indian Super League kicks off on the 1st of October, 2016; with 8 teams contesting Indian football’s biggest extravaganza. 214 players are spread out across the league, with plenty of quality, both foreign and Indian, on offer.
With the player of season last year, John Stiven Mendoza missing, there will be those who think that the ISL is a bit low on quality this year. However, with the likes of Diego Forlan making their bow this year, there should be plenty of superb moments to look forward to, with these 11 players the most likely to make ISL 2016 memorable.
Here are the best XI players from ISL 2016
Goalkeeper
Apoula Edel Bete (FC Pune City)
The Armenian goalkeeper was highly sought after by all eight of the ISL clubs this summer, but FC Pune City won out in the end, no doubt because the Cameroonian-born goalkeeper wanted to reunite with his former manager Antonio Habas, with whom Edel won the inaugaral season of the Indian Super League for Atletico de Kolkata.
Apart from his undoubted goalkeeping talent, Edel is also a superstitious buy, as he won Season 2 of ISL with Chennaiyin FC as well. He could well become the first ever footballer to win three successsive titles with three different teams, if FC Pune City go all the way.
Speaking to the official website of the ISL, Edel pinpointed his favourite moments, saying “The 83rd-minute save in the final to deny Kerala Blasters an advantage after which a last-minute goal by Mohammed Rafique gave us the win is something I will cherish the most from the first season. And mind you I was injured in that game and could not kick the ball with my right leg. Last season, when I was playing for Chennaiyin FC against ATK in the semi-finals, I made some crucial saves which I was happy about.”
Defenders
Left Back – Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters)
Perhaps the best Indian defender at the moment, Sandesh Jhingan has blossomed in the ISL, coming to the limelight after not setting things alight in the I-League. Although Jhingan is primarily a centre-back, he has often been used in both fullback positions for Kerala Blasters.
His composure on the ball, married to his physical stature all make for a complete defender who rarely lets an attacker get past him – perfect for the left back position.
Centre Back – Lucio (FC Goa)
A big part of the reason FC Goa made it to the finals of the 2015 Indian Super League, was having Lucio in defence. The Brazilian has brought back memories of his superb performances for the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, being absolutely rock solid at the back.
Lucio is the Gaurs marquee signing this year, and plenty of ISL strikers will struggle to get past his physical presence and superb position skills.
Centre Back – Bernard Mendy (Chennaiyin FC)
The tall Frenchman has taken to Indian football like a duck to water, reinventing himself from a speedy right-back to a towering centre-back. Mendy was absolutely immense for Chennaiyin FC in the first season of the ISL, but struggled a bit in the second season under Marco Materazzi, making a couple of errors along the way to lifting the title.
However, Mendy hasn’t been idle – he joined East Bengal and looked back to his old self, and should be still an important figure for Chennaiyin FC as they look to defend their ISL title.
Right Back – Rino Anto (Kerala Blasters)
Mehrajuddin Wadoo would have ordinarily been a shoe-in for the right back role, but Rino Anto has blossomed into a superb fullback, putting in some superb performances for Bengaluru FC and the Indian football team. Blessed with a superb engine, Rino Anto has matured as a defender, improving his positioning rapidly and crossing in the last few months.
In addition, Rino Anto is perhaps the likeliest to hit the ground running, playing competitive football in the AFC Cup recently. Spurred on by the home crowd in Kerala, Anto is likely to enhance his reputation in this edition of the ISL under the tutelage of Steve Coppell.
Midfielders
Left wing – Florent Malouda (Delhi Dynamos)
After Stiven Mendoza, Florent Malouda was probably the best foreign player in the second edition of the Indian Super League. While the Frenchman isn’t as full of pace as he was in his prime, he is still full of power and incredibly creative with his cultured left foot, topping the assists chart on eight, over the entirety of the ISL last year.
Malouda is still the beating heart of Delhi Dynamos’ midfield and expect another superb season from the French maestro, which could propel Delhi to the final stages.
Central midfield – Joffre (FC Goa)
FC Goa will be without Leo Moura this season, but that could prove to be a blessing in disguise as Joffre will get a more prominent role in midfield. Joffre won the league in the first season with Atletico de Kolkota, and despite playing second fiddle to Moura last year, racked up four goals and four assists as Goa went all the way to the final.
Joffre’s amazing feet and creativity in midfield should warm the cockles of Zico’s heart, as Joffre exerts control in midfield unlike any other player.
Central midfield – Eugenson Lyngdoh (FC Pune City)
FC Pune City endured a terrible year last season, but Eugeneson Lyngdoh was one of the few bright spots that year. However, Antonio Habas has taken charge and with a couple of shrewd buys, FC Pune City could go far. Lyngdoh’s passing ability in midfield has only gone from strength to strength, as he has quickly become the best Indian midfielder currently.
Lyngdoh’s goal-scoring has increased over the last few months, most recently scoring a screamer for Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup semifinal. If he repeats the feat for FC Pune City, Lyngdoh could be topping both the assists and goals chart in the ISL.
Right wing – Sameehg Doutie (Atletico de Kolkata)
While Sony Norde could also conceivably occupy this role, Doutie’s emergence last season for Atletico de Kolkata was the stuff of dreams. The South African made a quiet start to the season, but then took the ISL by storm, racking up six assists and three goals as he motivated ATK to make it to the semifinals last year.
With his amazing speed on the wings, Doutie is a true fan favourite and could quite easily lighten up the pitch this year too.
Forwards
Centre Forward – Diego Forlan (Mumbai City FC)
While the Uruguayan has not played in India ever, he has visited the country before and should not suffer a culture shock as he adapts. Forlan is still a very, very complete striker, netting 8 goals as he led Penarol to the championship title in his homeland last season.
That Forlan was also being chased by multiple Major League Soccer sides before signing with Mumbai City FC is also a testament to the quality he still has – and I wouldn’t put it past him to top the scoring charts by the end of the season.
Centre Forward – Iain Hume (Atletico de Kolkata)
It’s telling that despite being involved in 15 goals last season, Hume narrowly made this list, with Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua making a strong case to appear in this XI. However, Hume is familiar with constantly being underestimated – the Canadian’s hard working nature often allows him to ensure that he scores even if the rest of the team is misfiring.
Hume will be pivotal on Atletico de Kolkata’s chances this season, as he dovetails with Helder Postiga in attack.
