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The fate of the ISL clubs in the upcoming season depends to a great extent on two things -- the preparations that are taken prior to the season, and on the number of foreign stars these clubs manage to sign in the summer transfer window.
Clubs that have finished in the bottom half of the table, are in dire need of changes to their squads. The likes of ATK, who have been two-time winners in the ISL, finished ninth, something that nobody would have believed was possible at the start of the season. The unpredictability of the ISL is what makes it so interesting, which is why signing top quality players become all the more important.
With the football season coming to an end, we take a look at some of the top quality free agents who the ISL clubs could sign up in summer.
1) Victor Anichebe
The Nigerian forward has been a free agent since January, having played his last match for China League One side Beijing Enterprises. He spent just over a year at the club, but he is better known for his stints at the big three clubs of the Premier League, namely Everton, West Bromwich Albion, and Sunderland. He has spent the majority of his career at Everton and was also a part of the Toffees' U18 side.
The giant Centre-Forward was effectively used as a substitute by the teams he played at and came in later in the 2nd half to produce crucial goals when it mattered. He has 27 goals and seven assists from 204 Premier League appearances.
Anichebe could be of great use to ISL clubs that are looking to boost their attack, as he has shown that he can play up front, and on either wing. To add to that, he is still just 30-years-old and still has a few years of football left in him.
2) Sébastien Bassong
The 31-year-old Sébastien Bassong has multiple years of experience playing at various clubs in the Premier League. Having plied his trade at Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Norwich and Watford. The centre-back with a strong build has loads of experience under his belt
He is best remembered for his time at Spurs where he was a regular part of the team. Likewise with his latest club, Norwich City which he left at the start of July last year and has been a free agent since then.
Bassong always remained solid in defence and he is a player who leads from the front by being very vocal on the pitch. His confidence and commitment to any side he plays for is truly commendable. If he is to be picked up by any of the ISL clubs then he is sure to be a valuable resource at the back. A player with such experience of playing on the biggest platforms in the past will certainly have a monumental influence on any ISL side he plays at.
3) Antonio Nocerino
The Italian has played at his home for the majority of his career, plying his trade at clubs like AC Milan and Juventus in the Serie A; Parma and US Palermo at the Serie B. He is one of the few players who have played in four divisions of Italian football -- Serie A, B, C, and D at some point of time or the other.
Nocerino last played in Major League Soccer club Orlando City SC. Being a versatile midfielder, who can play central defensive midfield, or on either wings, Nocerino could be of great use to any of the ISL clubs.
He very recently left the MLS side on Jan 1, 2018, and has been a free agent since then. At 33, Nocerino is on the older side, but he is still someone who could make a big impact in the ISL.
4) Nilmar
The Brazilian centre-forward has a highly decorated past and has won the Lige 1, Brazilian Serie A, Copa Sudamericana and the Confederations Cup as well. He has also been the top scorer in the Brazilian league, during his time at Sport Club Internacional.
Nilmar has played all across the globe, in France (Olympique Lyon), Brazil (Sport Club Internacional, Corinthians, and Santos). He briefly played in Qatar for El-Jaish Sports Club and Al Rayyan Sports Club. His career peaked when he played the La Liga for Villarreal CF, scoring an impressive 26 goals and assisting 11 in 84 appearances.
The 33-year-old left Santos FC in December last year and has been a without a club since then. We have already seen South American stars like Miku create a big impact in the ISL. With his skillset, and Brazilian blood coursing through his veins, Nilmar has all the attributes to set the turf on fire in India.
Darren Gibson
Darron Gibson has had a glorious past in the Premier League, having played for top clubs like Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland. He was freed from his duties at Sunderland in March this year, and has been without a club since then.
Gibson does not have a lot of goals under his belt as he is well suited to the defensive midfield position. However, the Irishman does possess a brilliant right foot, that can fire shots at high speed.
A career marred by injuries have certainly not helped Gibson. Sadly, just when he was getting in full flow he suffered a Groin Injury. Apart from this, he has done well in the recent past playing the Championship with the Wolves and Sunderland. Gibson is currently in the recovery process and can be picked up by any ISL side when the Irishman fully recovers.
