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One of the major objectives of the Indian Super League centred around providing the Indian players an opportunity of a lifetime. From great infrastructure to world-class coaching, high-end facilities and a chance to rub shoulders with superior players from across the world, there was everything in place for them to improve their game.Just like leagues across the world, the coaches, scouts and selectors have a close eye on the Indian Super League too, which plays a vital role in the selection of the names for national duty.Sandesh Jhingan is a prime example whose exemplary performances last season not only earned him a national call-up, but made him a household name.One’s performance in a tournament of the standard of the ISL adds extra weight to their credentials. The real essence of the league is in discovering talented young players through the duration of the league who could make a difference for the national team.Our pick for the 5 players who could be in reckoning for a national debut or a way back in the setup soon are:
#5 Rehenesh TP
Rehenesh's performances for NorthEast United were brilliant with his tremendous shot-stopping one of the main reasons why the team had a fighting chance to make it to the semi-finals. His performances saw him keeping an experienced goalkeeper like Bracigliano, who played regularly for Chennaiyin FC last season, out of the team consistently.
The man from Kerala showed great reflexes and anticipation, and made the most number of saves in the league. His ability to get up and ready for second chance shots is an added feature of his goalkeeping, making him one of the most agile in the league.
Rehenesh made 47 saves in the 12 appearances he has made, and conceded 19 of the 23 goals the team have let in. Though his team's defensive record wasn't great, he is without a doubt the best shot-stopper in the league this season and was one of the main players on the back of whose performances NorthEast United almost made it to the semi-finals, finishing 5th in the end.
He still leads the league for the most number of clean sheets, with 4. With a young goalkeeper like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu already part of the Indian national team, Rehenesh could soon expect a call-up to the squad as coach Constantine would want his best players tested and with the talent Rehenesh possesses, he could even challenge for a spot in the starting eleven.
#4 Rahul Bheke
Nirmal Chhetri, Denzil Franco, Pritam Kotal, and now Rino Anto; a lot of names have been tried at the right-back position. After a great season with the Bengaluru FC outfit, Anto became Constantine’s first choice for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. However, after a string of unimpressive performances, it looks like the man from Kerala might be dropped.
One right-back who has caught the eye is 24-year-old Rahul Bheke, who made way into the football circuit with Air India, where he featured for 2 years. In 2013, Bheke joined the Mumbai Tigers side, only to be disappointed with the team backing out late.
Having wasted an important year, Bheke then signed with Mumbai FC in 2014 and played 20 games during the entire season. A string of strong performances saw East Bengal come calling for the right back.
Recently in the news for scoring against Mohun Bagan, Bheke failed to find a suitor in the ISL draft, only to see himself being signed as a replacement for the injured Nirmal Chhetri by last year’s runners-up Kerala Blasters. Rahul Bheke became a trusted member of the team, which saw him start 12 of Kerala’s matches so far. He was really impressive and is equally adept in either half of the pitch.
Not only was he tight while defending, he made some gruelling runs down the flanks and his long throws were a constant threat for the opposition, one of which led to a goal as well, with Mohammed Rafi guiding the header into the back of the net against NorthEast United.
That was on his ISL debut. In the 12 games that he played, Bheke was impressive in each match and is surely one to look out for in the future. He made 33 tackles, won 8 aerial duels despite his short stature and effected 10 interceptions, apart from giving two assists.
#3 Thongkhosiem Haokip
The lanky striker from FC Goa has been doing well in the limited time he has been given by FC Goa coach Zico. His hat-trick against Mumbai City FC is evidence of the fact that he is good in front of goal, and can link up well with his teammates.
Haokip, who hails from Manipur, plays for Pune FC in the I-League and came into the ISL on the back of his personal best professional season, as he had scored 9 goals in 22 games for the Pune outfit. He has provided a different threat to opposition defenders during his time in the ISL, and has been tough to handle, thanks to the combination of size, touch and skill he possesses.
The goals he scored against Mumbai City also showed that he has the striker's knack of being in the right place at the right time and with some more work on his overall play, could go on to become a really good player. He has played 5 games in this ISL season and has scored 3 goals. What is most interesting to note is that 8 of the 9 shots he has taken have been on target, which indicates his accuracy as a striker.
The way he has been improving as a player, he definitely deserves a chance in the Indian national team and could soon be called up to the team by coach Stephen Constantine.
#2 Thoi Singh
Coming on the back of impressing the critics with his performances for Bengaluru FC in the middle of the park, Thoi Singh forced Chennaiyin FC to break the bank for him as they were looking to find a midfield runner for their side.
People who did not follow domestic football closely, were surprised at the price paid for Thoi as he was not as popular as Chhetri or Robin Singh. But at this stage into the season, Thoi has justified the money paid for him at the auction.
A box to box midfielder or a midfield runner is as pivotal to the team as a tall, solid centre-back or a goalscorer. Thoi Singh is just that. Sitting in the heart of midfield, he works his socks off on the field, providing a forward push while in attack and acting as a screen for the defence on the other side.
Singh has good pace, a footballing brain and the stamina to run around and control play, all important reasons as to why he has been integral to Materazzi’s plans for Chennaiyin FC and has played 14 matches for them.
He has displayed his versatility and dedication for the team in this season of the ISL. The midfielder has been asked to play in the centre or out wide on the right and stretch the game and he has taken to both roles with ease and comfort.
He is one of the most aggressive players in the league, indicated by the fact that he makes a lot of successful tackles. He also has taken 14 attempts on goal, which show that he also gets forward and tries to help in scoring. Such has been the level of his performances that experts are calling for his inclusion in the national team setup.
#1 Anas Edathodika
The Indian defence has of late sufferred a lot. Though marshalled by two fine players in Arnab Mondal and Sandesh Jhingan, somehow, the level of performances have been poor and the coach would definitely mind having another quality, experienced defender in his team.
If there is one player who you think has been unlucky to not have made his India debut yet, it has to be Anas Edathodika. Taking to the game when he was 14, in a city named Malappuram, to heading to Mumbai for trials and getting selected, Anas has seen his hardwork pay off.
He came into his own during his stint with Pune FC, where he kept getting better and better and consistently outdid himself. Such was his level of consistency that he became the first ever Indian to be awarded the Pune FC Player of the Year Award in the 2012-13 season.
In the 2012-13 I-League season, Anas rose to the occasion and made his presence felt, guiding his team to a second place finish.
A man known for his grit, determination and dedication, Edathodika is one player who is ready to give it his all and put his life on the line for the team every time he takes the field. Good with his feet, strong in the air and with bravery to match, he has all the ingredients of a top-notch defender.
Having being snapped by Delhi Dynamos FC in the auction and being instrumental in their quick turn-around, Anas is definitely one player who deserved selection to the national camp and has duly been called up by coach Stephen Constantine for the SAFF Cup.
