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There is a football manager inside every football fan in the world. Fans also regularly dream of running the top European clubs in the world and getting the better of the likes of Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal, Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger.Following every weekend of football, fans engage in detailed discussions, breaking down their team’s tactics and expressing what they think would work better for the team they support.With the second season of the ISL now gaining a lot of traction, there is a lot of talk about which players have been performing well. The most consistent ones though, are the ones who everyone wants on their side.We take a look at the 5 most consistent performers in this ISL season so far. The list contains players that every fan would like to see in their teams.
#5 Sunil Chhetri
When you need a big game performer and a fan favourite, the only Indian player who can fulfill both roles is Sunil Chhetri. Captain fantastic in the truest sense of the word, Chhetri has added a different dimension to the ISL this season and showed what the fans were missing in the inaugural season.
The diminutive striker was the most expensive buy at the auction and by the looks of it, his team are reaping the rewards as they signed probably the most effective player in the league. There is a tremendous amount of difference between Mumbai City FC sans Sunil Chhetri and Mumbai City FC with Sunil Chhetri, and that has shown on the pitch as well.
The team from Mumbai were struggling to pick up points and score goals before he started playing for them. With 6 goals and an assist, Chhetri has been involved in just over 50% of the goals scored by the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned side.
The striker is good at playing multiple roles for his team and has been used in a variety of positions so far. He has been played as a number 9, a slightly withdrawn forward or on the right of a three-pronged forward lineup and he has done very well in each role.
He is a manager’s dream and a team man to the core, and gives his all on the field. Chhetri is a very likeable player, both for his on-field effort and off-field conduct and is a player anyone would want on their team.
He has been one of the best performers in the ISL Fantasy League as well, with 67 points.
#4 Sameehg Doutie
The 26-year-old winger has been a livewire for Atletico de Kolkata and helped them arrest their mid-season slump. The team is now firing on all cylinders and have transformed themselves into one of the most attractive ISL outfits.
His energy, pace and directness have been of great use to the Atletico outfit as it has helped rejuvenate a team that had become lethargic a few games into the season. Doutie's arrival in the starting eleven injected a much-needed sense of urgency which the Antonio Habas led outfit have profited from.
The South African has scored 3 goals so far and provided 6 assists in the 9 matches he has played. He has linked up very well with Arata Izumi and Iain Hume to keep the Kolkata based side's attacking ticking. He also understands the importance of helping his defenders out and has formed a great partnership with Anto down the right-flank.
A former youth player at different levels for South Africa, Doutie is now a trusted memeber of manager Habas’ squad and is one of the first names on the teamsheet. His great form has also seen him picked a lot by participants of the ISL Fantasy League, as his 89 points are a great return for the measly 6.4 rating he has.
#3 Leo Moura
Moura is strong in the tackle, can pass the ball very well and has great technique. His 13 games so far for FC Goa have shown that he is one of the best players in the league this season and that he is very good at what he does, creating 8 goals and scoring 2 himself.
He has made the game look very easy and has added that bit of extra quality which has helped Goa reach the top of the table. Coming to India with bag loads of experience having represented each of the big four clubs from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil – Botafogo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and Flamengo (where he was captain).
He has also played for other big clubs like Sao Paulo, Palmeiras and Sporting Braga. Although the attacking midfielder couldn’t break into the star-studded Brazilian line-up, he has been a consistent performer throughout his career.
He has made a big impact on the pitch for the Gaurs and has probably been their most important player. He has had a fantastic time on the pitch and has been a treat to watch for the fans, something which is very well appreciated.
With 93 points in the ISL Fantasy League so far, he is a player most people playing the fantasy league have on their teams. His versatility, in addition to his quality, make him an indispensable player, which is why he is a player everyone wants on their team.
#2 John Stiven Mendoza
Following a good first season in the ISL, the Colombian striker John Stiven Mendoza was back in the Chennaiyin FC squad to lead them in their quest to do better in the second season of the ISL.
Mendoza had already won a lot of hearts with his exuberant, attractive play last season, but has outdone himself with his intelligent play this year, his hat-trick against FC Goa giving the fans a lot to be happy about.
The Colombian has already bettered his tally of 5 goals last season, having accumulated 10 from 11 games and has also provided 2 assists. He has come into his own and is definitely looking to make the most of his chances.
The 23-year-old has caused opposition defences a lot of trouble. His pace helps him run past defenders while his quick feet keeps them guessing. He has all the qualities needed in a striker and is his team’s most important player.
Loved by his coach and teammates, his flamboyant celebrations and tendency to play with a smile on his face have made him a fan favourite. Although opposition fans dread the possibility of him scoring against their teams, they definitely would have him on their team if they had the option.
A definite fan favourite, he has scored 95 points in the Fantasy League so far, and is one of the most-picked players.
#1 Iain Hume
The Scottish-born Canadian striker has probably been the best player this ISL season and he has managed to elevate his performances to another level after his great season last year. Having been declared Player of the Tournament in ISL season 1 for his great play with Kerala Blasters, Hume is the bestbet to win the award again this season.
The striker made a move to the defending champions Atletico de Kolkata in the offseason and has shown why they wanted him to sign for their team. Having started the season in a slightly withdrawn forward role, he has stepped up big time in the absence of injured marquee player Helder Postiga.
The Canadian has scored 9 goals in the league so far, including 2 hat-tricks, one against Mumbai City FC when Kolkata were in the middle of a losing run, and the other against FC Pune City in a match that saw them become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals this season.
He has also given 3 assists in the 13 games he has played, and has worked his socks off for the team. He is a quintessential team man and is ready to leave it all on the field to ensure that his team are victorious.
He has also scored the joint-highest points in the league, with 95 points so far and is a big fan favourite, with most participants wanting him in their fantasy teams.
