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The second season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) is nearing its conclusion after a series of ups and downs throughout the last couple of months. Delhi Dynamos made the step up from season one as they were the only new entry into the last four from last season, while last year’s runner-up Kerala Blasters slipped to the last position in season two.Chennaiyin FC, after a slow start, made a stunning recovery to win a dramatic final 3-2 over FC Goa thanks to a late goal from Stiven Mendoza. In terms of individual performances, there were some stunning displays across all the ISL teams, but there were a few stars who flattered to deceive in Season two of the Indian Super League.Here are the five players who disappointed in the ISL:
#5 Subrata Pal
The Mumbai City FC goalkeeper retained the faith of his manager Nicolas Anelka throughout the season and was always their first-choice goalkeeper. But, the ‘Spiderman of India’ had a rather indifferent season in goal for the team from Mumbai. Pal never looked settled in goal for the Mumbaikars and it seemed a mistake was always around the corner with him this campaign.
There were many moments in the season when Subrata Pal was found wanting and lacking confidence and had a shocking evening in Kolkata against Atletico de Kolkata where he was indecisive all afternoon and almost cost his team the game.
Pal never really formed a good understanding with his defenders and endured an evening to forget in Goa as well, where Mumbai City FC shipped in seven goals. Although he wasn’t the worst performer on the day, he failed to parry few shots away from the goal, leading to at least three goals for FC Goa.
Keeping in mind the consistency portrayed by Subrata Pal throughout his career, his performance in season two of the ISL was pretty disappointing.
#4 Sanchez Watt
Sanchez Watt was tipped to take the Indian Super League by storm after the then Kerala Blasters Head Coach Peter Taylor spoke highly of him and claimed that Watt would be unplayable for opposition in the ISL on his day. However, the former Arsenal man failed to produce the goods on the pitch and after few dismal performances, found himself restricted to a bench role. Watt made just eight appearances for the Kerala Blasters and managed to score only two goals in the campaign.
Watt was specially sidelined under the management of Terry Phelan, who found the perfect combination upfront in Chris Dagnall and Antonio German. Watt, who seemed to have become increasingly frustrated with life on the bench at Kerala Blasters also lashed out at former coach Peter Taylor, criticizing the former England U-21 manager’s tactics.
Sanchez Watt failed to live up to his promise and his season ended in disappointment as Kerala Blasters finished in the last position.
#3 Fikru
The topscorer of season one of the Hero Indian Super League, Fikru made the headlines when he made the switch from Champions Atletico de Kolkata to Chennaiyin FC. Atletico de Kolkata were heavily criticized for letting one of their most priced assets from season one go to one of their closest rivals.
However, Fikru didn’t have the same impact at Chennaiyin FC as he did in Kolkata and was often used as a second fiddle to Stiven Mendoza.
Marco Materazzi gave Fikru chances early on in the season, but he disappointed almost every time. The Ethiopian was handed a start against NorthEast United in Guwahati as Materazzi chose to rest Mendoza after a hectic schedule, but Fikru failed to fill his boots and Chennaiyin fell to a defeat.
Materazzi lost faith in the big centre-forward after that and preferred to play Indians like Jeje and Jayesh Rane in the forward areas over him. His most important contribution so far this season has been scoring in the 2nd leg of the semi-final against Atletico, as he dealt the final blow to his former team, resulting in their elimination.
Though he couldn't make much of an impact in the final, he finished the season with another Champions medal, making him one of only two players to have two ISL winners’ medals.
#2 Jackichand Singh
Jackichand Singh was hot property in the ISL auctions ahead of season two after his impressive performances for Royal Wahingdoh in the I-League had earned him the title of the ‘Indian Messi’.
After being picked up by FC Pune City in the auctions, Jackichand was expected to set the ISL on fire and be one of the most promising Indian players in season two. But, he never really got into the groove and was mostly a fringe player in David Platt’s set-up.
An international call-up early in the season and an injury didn’t help the talented Indian winger, but his performances, apart from the game against Atletico de Kolkata in Pune, where he scored the winner, didn’t grab any headlines.
As the season progressed, Jackichand’s impact in FC Pune City’s games diminished as he failed to live upto all the pre-season hype. His lacklustre performances for FC Pune City also cost him a place in the National Team
#1 Nicolas Anelka
The former Chelsea and Arsenal striker returned to Mumbai City FC as their marquee player despite not being at his best in season one. However, Nicolas Anelka was given an added responsibility of managing his side and that was expected to aid him as a player as he had everything his own way being the manager of the team.
But, Anelka disappointed the Mumbai City faithful greatly and Mumbai never won a game when Nicolas Anelka was on the pitch.
In fact, his presence on the pitch also disrupted Mumbai City’s winning combination, leading to the derailment of their season. Despite playing as a striker, winger and an attacking midfielder, Nicolas Anelka failed to weave his magic on the field and Mumbai paid the price for that as they failed to make the semi-finals of the ISL.
Mumbai City FC's marquee player couldn’t prove his importance and it is believed that the team management might look elsewhere for a marquee player for season three.
