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The first season of the Indian Super League was a huge success with fans filling up stadiums to support a new coming for “the beautiful game” in India. World Cup winners such as Alessandro del Piero, David Trezeguet, Joan Capdevila and Robert Pires graced the Indian pitches alongside the likes of Balwant Singh, Cavin Lobo, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Sandesh Jhingan and Mehtab Hossain in the spectacle where the slogan read “lets football”.Last season’s ISL did not feature players from the 2014 I-League Champions Bengaluru FC and Pune FC. With the Indian Super League draw here tomorrow, it’s the first time that all Indian players are available to play in the ISL so we can have the very best available for the tournament every football fan in the country is waiting for.Here is a list of the five players who will be the most wanted at the auction –
#1 Seityasen Singh
Base Price: Rs.17.50 lakhs
Seityasen Singh is one of the most promising youngsters in the country playing for I-League club Royal Wahingdoh FC. The youngster began his career at Wahingdoh at the age of just 19 and got his break in the first team against Churchill Brothers in a Federation Cup match. Wahingdoh, playing in the second division of the I-League were massive underdogs for the tie but overcame Churchill 2-1 with the youngster scoring the opening goal of the North Eastern club.
After playing in the second division of the I-League for 3 years, Wahingdoh and Seityasen made the step up by winning the league and entering the I-League in 2014. A lot wasn't expected of Wahingdoh in their first season, but under the guidance of former Air India manager, Santosh Kashyap, the team fought hard throughout the competition, finishing the league in 3rd position, impressing everyone with their style of play.
Seityasen, 23, played an important part in the campaign making 18 out of 20 appearances in the league scoring 6 times and setting up goals for his teammates as well. He is a left-footed winger, who can play on either wing and is tricky enough to trouble opposition defenders. He is capable of winning matches on his own as well, as he demonstrated against Salgaocar, destroying their defence single-handedly to score a brilliant hat-trick.
Priced at Rs.17.50 lakhs, he is going to be one of the most wanted players in the ISL auction, which will be held on the 10th of July 2015.
#2 Arata Izumi
Age: 32Position: Midfielder2015 I-League: Pune FCSeason Stats: 27 matches (2 goals)International stats: 9 matches (0 goals)Base Price: Rs.40.00 lakhs
Arata Izumi will be 33 by the time the second edition of the Indian Super League kicks off in October, but all the clubs will be very interested in securing his signature, as he will help bring some much-needed composure in midfield.
Born in Japan to an Indian father, he chose to switch nationalities to India in 2012. He started his Indian Football career with Kolkata giants East Bengal in 2006 but did not last long in Bengal as he was released after one season at the club. His performances, however, attracted the attention of Mumbai-based club Mahindra United. His time at Mumbai was plagued by injury but in his second season, he ended up with a Durand Cup winners medal.
After leaving Mahindra United, Izumi joined newly-promoted Pune FC, a team which has been his home ever since. In 2010, he ended the season with 10 goals and provided 10 assists in just 26 matches he played. He has now played for Pune FC for 6 consecutive seasons, making 155 appearances with 29 goals to his name as well.
A midfielder who is street smart, can score goals, has a wide range of passing and is already adjusted to the Indian climate will be an excellent signing for any ISL club.
#3 Eugeneson Lyngdoh
Age: 28Position: Central Midfielder2015 I-League: Bengaluru FCSeason Stats: 33 matches (9 goals)International stats: 4 matches (0 goals)Base Price: Rs.27.50 lakhs
Eugeneson Lyngdoh is one of the most talented midfielders in the country right now. He signed for Bengaluru FC in 2014 on a one-year deal and in 2015, he won the Bengaluru FC Fans’ Player of the year and the Player’s Player of the year awards, apart from being rewarded with a two-year contract extension for his performances during the I-League season. The I-League named him the Midfielder of the year and Indian coach Stephen Constantine handed him a debut in the Word Cup Qualifiers against Nepal.
During the season, Lyngdoh made 33 appearances and scored 9 goals from midfield, but his main contribution to the team came via his 16 assists for the club. In the AFC Cup match against Johor Darul Tazim, Lyngdoh scored a goal directly from a corner kick. He won the Federation Cup with Bengaluru as well and would have had an I-League winners medal as well had Bello Rasaq not scored in the dying minutes of the last league game of the season.
Lyngdoh, 28, has played as a winger for his previous clubs Shillong Lajong and Rangdajied United, but his preferred position is central midfield from where he can control the tempo of the game. He is very good at playing the ball in behind the defence, and is very proficient at taking free-kicks.
#4 Sunil Chhetri
Age: 30Position: Striker2015 I-League: Bengaluru FCSeason Stats: 32 matches (11 goals)International stats: 79 matches (47 goals)Base Price: Rs.80.00 lakhs
Sunil Chhetri is the poster boy of Indian Football and by the end of his career might be the greatest Indian football player to have played the game. He had a disappointing campaign with his club side Bengaluru FC at least on a personal level, as he scored just two goals in 20 appearances in the league. But since the beginning of the World Cup Qualifiers Chhetri has been in exceptional form scoring four goals in four qualifiers, the best one being a “Messiesque” goal against Oman where he curled a ball into the far post.
Chhetri has played his domestic football with all major clubs including Dempo, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC along with two stints with international clubs Kansas City Wizards (USA) and Sporting Clube de Portugal (Portugal). Apart from being exceptionally talented, he has the knack of popping up at the right time with important goals.
Throughout his career, the 30-year-old striker has scored 67 goals in 129 appearances. With a base price of Rs 80.00 lakhs, it won't be a surprise to see teams fighting tooth and nail for the Indian superstar.
#5 Jackichand Singh
Age: 23Position: Winger/ Attacking Midfielder2015 I-League: Royal WahingdohSeason Stats: 22 matches (8 goals)International stats: 4 matches (0 goals)Base Price: Rs. 20.00 lakhs
The star of the I-League season, Jackichand Singh made his league debut this year for the only team he has played for as yet, Royal Wahingdoh. Wahingdoh, who had just been promoted to the top division of Indian football were expected to struggle in their maiden season.
But the young Shillong team, with Jackichand as their talisman, won over a lot of fans by playing an exciting brand of football. Their brilliant season also saw him win the I-League Player of the season award.
He made 18 appearances for the Royals throughout the season providing 6 goals and creating many more chances. The hard-working winger uses his low centre of gravity to be able to twist and turn his way out of trouble and provide a finished product at the end of his runs.
He was called up for the National team by manager Stephen Constantine for the World Cup Qualifying home and away tie against Nepal. He also played against Oman and Guam, but hasn't been able to recreate his club performances for the National team yet.
At Rs.20.00 lakhs, he is a steal and teams would be willing to go higher to get this youngster in their team.
