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The second season of the Indian Super League is attracting huge crowds just like the opening season, and the fourth-highest attended league in the world has got great reception across the country. Fans have flooded into the stadium to watch some of the biggest names in world football.While the first season had the likes of Luis Garcia, Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Materazzi and Robert Pires to attract crowds to the stadium, the second season has shown that backed by good football, the Indian Super League has got people to actually come to the stadium and enjoy the football.Here we take a look at 10 of the best Indian Super League footballers from season 2 whom fans of all the teams involved love and respect
#1 Elano Blumer
Elano Blumer, who won the Golden Boot last season, was retained by Chennaiyin FC as their marquee player this season as well. The Brazilian has not disappointed us at all as he has scored 4 goals and also has 4 assists to his name in 13 appearances.
The former Manchester City player can be a nightmare for opposition defenses with his brilliant passing range and set-piece taking ability. His consistency and flamboyance while playing make him one of the most loved players in the Indian Super League.
He has been crucial to Chennai’s attacking play in both seasons and his partnership with Mendoza has seen the Colombian plunder goals left, right and centre, becoming the highest goalscorer this season in the ISL.
Elano has made 50 appearances for the Brazil national side scoring 9 goals. He also won the Copa America in 2007 and FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009 with the national team.
The 34-year-old has played for Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, and Galatasaray in Europe, while having turned out for Santos, Gremio, and Flamengo in Brazil before signing for Chennaiyin FC. He is best remembered for his time at Manchester City for whom he registered 14 goals and 11 assists in 62 Premier League appearances.
#2 Borja Fernandez
Former Real Madrid defensive midfielder Borja Fernandez announced his arrival in the ISL with a stunning goal against Mumbai City FC in the opening fixture of the Indian Super League last season. He scored a similar goal against FC Goa this season, and has been one of the best players for Atletico this season.
The team’s skipper has featured in all 15 games so far winning 66 tackles, 23 aerial duels and 12 interceptions. He recorded a total of 63 tackles last season, which was highest in the league.
Borja’s brilliant performances for Atletico de Kolkata last season even earned him a six-month contract with La Liga side Eibar, and he made 16 appearances for them, scoring one goal.
He had also played for La Liga sides Getafe, Deportivo La Coruña, Real Valladolid, and Mallorca before joining Atletico de Kolkata.
#3 Iain Hume
Canadian star Iain Hume, who was awarded the 'ISL Best Foreign Player' in the FPAI awards, managed to score 5 goals for Kerala Blasters last season, only behind Chennaiyin FC’s Elano Blumer.
This season, he has already scored 10 goals, which includes two hat-tricks against Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City, and is proving to be the signing of the season for Atletico de Kolkata. Hume has also surpassed his assists tally from last season, with four to his name this season.
His energy and work ethic have always endeared him to fans and his displays for Atletico have only increased his fan following in India. Atletico de Kolkata are currently fighting to go through to the finals and much of the credit goes to the former Canadian international.
#4 Sameehg Doutie
Sameehg Doutie has been one player whose involvement in matches has definitely made Atletico de Kolkata a more attractive team to watch. Generally playing on the right-wing, the South African has brought some much-needed pace and cutting edge to their play and made his team more dangerous on the counter.
His partnership with Hume and Arata has proven to be very good for Atletico, and their interplay has been great to watch. Doutie’s already scored 3 goals and provided 6 assists in 11 matches and will look to be one of the most decisive players as Atletico try and fight back from their first leg deficit against Chennaiyin.
He is definitely a player that excites the crowds and is one who can add something to every team in the league.
#5 John Arne Riise
A Champions League winner with Liverpool, John Arne Riise has many fans in India, and he was welcomed with great joy on social networking websites when he was was signed by Delhi Dynamos on a two-year contract.
The Dynamos have sealed their place in the playoffs this season, and Riise has been a massive player for them. He was also key in their 1-0 first leg win over FC Goa. He has made an impressive 38 tackles, 26 interceptions and won 41 aerial duels in the 14 games he has played so far in the tournament.
The left-back turned centre-back had a great spell at Liverpool, the high point of which was winning the Champions League in 2005. He has also won the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup with them. His only league honours came with Monaco and APOEL.
#6 Sunil Chhetri
Obviously, the first Indian player that comes to our mind is the Indian national team and Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri, who was snapped up by Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League auction. Chhetri has scored seven goals in the 11 games he played in the tournament, and has become a fan favourite.
The 31-year-old missed the inaugural season due to his commitments with Bengaluru FC, but was very keen on playing in the second season. Chhetri has an impressive goalscoring ratio for the national team, and became the first Indian to score 50 international goals during India’s 2018 World Cup qualifying match against Guam.
Chhetri has had a couple of spells outside the country, signing for MLS side Kansas City Wizards, making one appearance from the bench during his stay in the United States. He got another opportunity to prove himself abroad in 2012, as he signed a two-year contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal and made 3 appearances for their reserve side during his stay in Portugal.
Sunil Chhetri has also represented Indian giants like East Bengal, Dempo, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC and was signed by Mumbai City FC in the auction for Rs 1.20 crore.
#7 Eugeneson Lyngdoh
Eugeneson Lyndgoh was in good form for FC Pune City after his arrival and scored two goals and gave two assists in the 10 appearances he made in the league. The Indian international was a key player for FC Pune City, who were in the top four spots for most of the season, but fell off in their final few fixtures, eventually finishing 7th.
The 29-year-old was bought for Rs. 1.05 crore by FC Pune City from a base price of Rs 27 lakh. Lyngdoh joined I-league side Bengaluru FC at the start of the last season from Rangdajied United and enjoyed a brilliant debut season for them as he scored 8 goals and assisted another 16 goals. He was also named as I-League midfielder of the season.
The central midfielder has featured regularly for the national side in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Lyngdoh, who is an engineering drop out, is currently one of the best Indian talents out there.
#8 John Stiven Mendoza
John Stiven Mendoza was signed by Brazilian club Corinthians earlier this year after his impressive performances last year in the inaugural season of the Indian Super League, and later joined Chennaiyin FC again on loan.
The Colombian striker is currently the top goalscorer in the tournament with 12 goals in 14 appearances, two goals more than second-highest goalscorer Iain Hume. The 23-year-old has been the best performer for Chennaiyin FC and Mendoza has given them a great chance to qualify for the final after his great performance against Atletico in the first leg of the semi-final which his team won 3-0.
Mendoza has shown that he is clinical in front of goal, can pick a pass well and is also very quick. He has used his pace very smartly so far and it is a threat the opposition defenders haven’t been able to deal with effectively yet. He has formed a great understanding with Jeje and Elano and has also given 3 assists this season.
What endears him to fans across the country apart from his great play is his tendency to play the game with a smile on his face and his extravagant celebrations after scoring.
#9 Nicolas Velez
Nicolas Velez was signed by NorthEast United at the start of the second edition of the Indian Super League, and scored 5 goals in 14 appearances since making his move. Velez was a key part of Cesar Farias side who finished 5th in the Indian Super League standings, and lost out on a spot in the playoffs on the penultimate day of the season.
The 25-year-old tormented defenses with his direct running and skillful play. Though he finished as the team’s top goalscorer, he himself was guilty of squandering several chances after having done the hard work to fashion an opportunity in the first place.
The Argentine is a youth product of River Plate, but never made it to their senior team. He has a fiery nature and is very passionate about his play, something the fans instantly connected with.
#10 Antonio German
Antonio German was signed by Kerala Blasters from League One club Gillingham on a free transfer. Since his arrival, German scored 6 goals and assisted three more in just the 9 matches he played for Kerala.
He announced his arrival by scoring against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, and his combination of pace, trickery and good finishing made him a big threat to opposition defenses.
A youth product of the Queens Park Rangers academy, he has played for various clubs in the lower divisions of English football. Though Kerala did not perform up to their standards this season, German was one of the players who has impressed the most.
