Which I-League player should each ISL team target at the auction?

Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh will be wanted by most ISL teams in the auctionThe best Indian footballers from the I-league who did not participate in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League are set to go under the hammer in the ISL auction for the second edition of the tournament which starts in October. Some of the biggest names in Indian football like Sunil Chhetri (India’s record goalscorer) and Robin Singh will be the most sought after players at the auction.Meanwhile, 8 other Indian players including I-League player of the season Jackichand Singh and Royal Wahingdoh’s star performer Seityasen Singh will also feature in the auction. Teams will be looking to strengthen their squads and landing marquee Indian players who have shone in India’s domestic league and are familiar with the Indian conditions will be an added bonus.We take a look at the players each club needs to target in the player auction. The I-League players who are up for grabs at the auction are:Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC), Robin Singh (Bengaluru FC)Midfieledrs: Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Bengaluru FC), Thoi Singh (Bengaluru FC), Arata Izumi (Pune FC), Jackichand Singh (Royal Wahingdoh), Seityasen Singh (Royal Wahingdoh)Defenders: Rino Anto (Bengaluru FC), Anas Edathodika (Pune FC)Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar)

#1 Atletico de Kolkata

Karanjit Singh

Age: 29

Club: Salgaocar

Domestic appearances: 54

Base price: 60 lakhs

International appearances: 16

Position: Goalkeeper

Karanjit Singh has the second highest base price in the ISL auction and is the only goalkeeper in the auction. The Salgaocar goalkeeper did not feature much in the 2015 season making only six appearances and was relegated as the understudy of Subrata Pal for the Goan side.

Any club would think twice before picking up a largely second-choice keeper and has such a high price tag. But he seems to be the perfect fit for the ISL Champions who saw two of their goalkeepers Subhasish Roy Chowdhury and Apoula Edel leave after the first season.

Atletico de Kolkata have brought in former Malaga keeper Juan Calatayud, and the Spaniard looks to be their mainstay for the upcoming season. But Karanjit can be a good backup for the Spanish keeper and has the experience behind him to do the job for the team when called upon.

Karanjit won the I-League title with Salgaocar in his debut season back in 2011 and also helped India win the SAFF Cup in the same year. He kept three clean sheets in the tournament and conceded just two goals in the tournament which shot him into the limelight.

Kolkata will be buying an established keeper in Karanjit who is entering his prime and has tasted success at both club and international level. It is a gamble worth taking for the Kolkata outfit in their quest to defend their title.

#2 Chennaiyin FC

Thoi Singh

Age: 24

Club: Bengaluru FC

Domestic appearances: 37

Goals: 8

Base price: 39 lakhs

International appearances: 0

Position: Midfielder

Thoi Singh is a tenacious midfielder who is known for his ball-winning qualities. The diminutive midfielder has also started to chip in with goals from the centre of the park and scored five goals this season for Bengaluru FC.

Singh is known for his work-rate and intensity on the pitch and is a very technically gifted player. The 24-year-old is a box-to-box midfielder who is very effective during the team’s transition from defence to attack. The young midfielder will be a great addition to any side and will act as a creative fulcrum for the side when turning defence into attacks.

In this regard, he will be a great addition to Chennai for the upcoming edition. He can be a good replacement for Denson Devadas who has moved to FC Goa for the upcoming season. Singh has a great engine to keep going during matches and can also contribute with goals as he demonstrated in the I-League this season.

Chennai can use his tenacity and ability to score goals from midfield as they will try to go beyond the semi-final stage this time out. His ability to support the attack will also benefit Chennai when they try to finish off the opposition.

The youngster has tasted success at club level after winning both the I-League as well as the Federation Cup. The midfielder knows what it takes to win titles and can use that experience to make his transition from playing in the I-League to the ISL and justify his price-tag.

#3 Delhi Dynamos

Sunil Chhetri

Age: 30

Club: Bengaluru FC

Domestic appearances: 195

Goals: 96

Base price: 80 lakhs

International appearances: 79

International goals: 47

Position: Striker

Sunil Chhetri is without a doubt the biggest name featuring in the auction and not surprisingly, has the highest base price among all the players. Chhetri who is India’s record goalscorer is the most recognisable and popular figure from the Indian national team.

It won’t be surprising if there is a bidding war between the clubs for the striker’s signature. Although Chhetri did not have the best of domestic campaigns, his sensational strike against Oman in the World Cup qualifier showed what he is capable of.

But of all the clubs who will try to sign the 30-year-old, Delhi Dynamos would benefit from landing the striker. The Delhi club has been heavily linked with Chhetri and it looks likely that they would try everything to land their man.

Chhetri’s Delhi connection is the biggest factor which has seen him being heavily linked to the capital club. The Bengaluru forward can be a great signing for Delhi as he will bring both his experience as well as a proven goalscoring record to lead the line.

The former Indian captain is an ideal candidate to take up the mantle from Alessandro del Piero and be the poster boy for Delhi. The team can look to build a team around Chhetri who can act as the connecting link between the young Indian players of the squad and the foreign players and bring the best out of both.

#4 FC Goa

Rino Anto

Age: 27

Club: Bengaluru FC

Domestic appearances: 41

Goals: 1

Base price: 17.5 lakhs

International appearances: 2

International goals: 0

Rino Anto is a player who has one of the lowest base prices, but boasts of having won almost every trophy that is there to win in the country in club football. Anto has had a roller-coaster career in the league after having to change clubs due to off-field issues before finally managing to establish himself at Bengaluru FC.

He also recently won his first Indian cap when he played recently against Oman in the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier. He also featured in India’s loss to Guam in the second World Cup qualifier.

Anto has finally come into the limelight after joining Bengaluru FC and is considered to be one of the best right-backs in the country. FC Goa have already expressed interest in the Kerala full-back and it looks like they will look to snap up Anto in what could be a bargain buy for the Goan side.

Anto has the talent and the capability to make the right-back position his own. Another aspect which can help Goa is that he can also operate efficiently at left-back which will be an added bonus.

The 27-year-old is an attack minded full back and suits Zico’s style of attacking football. And the club will look to reinforce their back-line for the three-month tournament. Anto will bring a winning mentality to the club and that is something which the Goan outfit can use as they aim to win the ISL trophy.

#5 FC Pune City

Robin Singh

Age: 25

Club: Bengaluru FC

Domestic appearances: 83

Domestic Goals: 21

Base price: 40 lakhs

International appearances: 18

International goals: 1

Robin Singh is among the most sought after players in the ISL auction and has a base price tag of 40 lakhs. Robin, along with Chhetri, are the players who are creating the biggest buzz among the 10 players.

The Bengaluru FC forward has established himself as one of the best strikers in the domestic league and is now a mainstay of the club due to his all round game. Delhi Dynamos are believed to be interested in signing the former East Bengal forward and could price others out for the lanky forward’s signature.

But if Delhi are after Chhetri, then other clubs will get an opportunity to try and land Robin. One club who should target the striker is Pune City FC who could make the best use of the forward. Pune have already bought seven Indian players which does not feature an out-and-out centre forward.

The Pune based club can invest in Robin who can be a valuable addition to the club after losing David Trezeguet who retired after last season. That void can be filled by Robin who can take up the responsibility of leading the line for the Pune side.

Robin has wonderful ability to hold up play and can also bully defenders apart from his all round play. He can act as a target man and can also combine well with his team-mates. Robin also has the ability to team up with a second striker which can help give Pune an added dimension.

#6 Kerala Blasters

Seityasen Singh

Age: 23

Club: Royal Wahingdoh

Domestic appearances: 18

Domestic Goals: 6

Base price: 20 lakhs

International appearances: 1

International goals: 0

Kerala Blasters had a fantastic season in the inaugural edition as they reached the final of the tournament where they lost narrowly to Atletico de Kolkata. But their top scorer Ian Hume signed for Atletico de Kolkata.

Blasters did replace him by signing Chris Dagnall from Leyton Orient but what last year’s runners-up lack is goals. Blasters did not score many goals in the first season and they will have to address that to stand any chance of repeating last season’s heroics.

One player at the auction who can give them that attacking thrust is Royal Wahingdoh’s Seityasen Singh who had a great I-League campaign last time out where he scored 6 goals. Seityasen's ability to cut inside and shoot will give an added dimension to the Blasters. He is a winger who can score goals which was evident in his hat-trick against Salgaocar. This is what Kerala need and Seityasen could be a great coup for the Southern side.

Kerala already have nine Indian players in their roster, but acquiring the winger will be a valuable addition. They will face competition from other clubs, especially Northeast United who will be keen on landing the talented winger.

#7 Mumbai City

Eugeneson Lyngdoh

Age: 28

Club: Bengaluru FC

Domestic appearances: 89

Domestic Goals: 15

Base price: 27.5 lakhs

International appearances: 4

International goals: 0

Eugeneson Lyngdoh is an all-round midfielder who is considered to be one of the best talents in the country. Lyngdoh is a box-to-box midfielder who links up the attack well and also provides cover for the defence.

The 28-year-old is also known for having a wonderful technique which he put to good use last season by scoring nine goals from the midfield. He offers a creative outlet for teams and the play generally goes through him. His other major asset is his set-piece delivery when taking free kicks or corners.

The team that can make the most of Eugeneson’s all round ability is Mumbai City who lacked creativity in the middle of the park which eventually cost them. The Mumbai outfit could benefit from the midfielder’s ability to dictate play will be welcome for Nicolas Anelka and his men.

Arata Izumi

Club: Pune FC

Domestic appearances: 205

Domestic Goals: 32

Base price: 40 lakhs

International appearances: 9

International goals: 0

A base price of 40 lakhs for a 32-year-old may seem over-priced. But Arata Izumi brings loads of experience with him after spending nine seasons in India’s top domestic division. The Japanese born Indian national will bring stability and experience to any club that he signs for and Mumbai City can use his experience in the ISL.

The midfielder has evolved from being a quick-footed midfielder to someone who creates chances for the team-mates. This could help Mumbai, as Arata can help the youngsters in the squad and also play a supporting role for the other midfielders.

Arata played the entire season and missed only a single match for Pune FC which was a testimony to his fitness. Mumbai will be getting a skillful and experienced player in Arata Izumi if they go for him.

#8 NorthEast United

Jackichand Singh

Age: 23

Club: Royal Wahingdoh

Domestic appearances: 18

Domestic Goals: 6

Base price: 20 lakhs

International appearances: 4

International goals: 0

Jackichand Singh was the I-League Player of the Season in 2014/15 season after he had a breakthrough season for Royal Wahingdoh. Jackichand will come into the ISL in the form of his life and that is good news for any club who tries to sign him.

The speedy winger will be courted by many in the auction and his comparatively lower base price could start a bidding war. The speedy winger looks the perfect fit for Northeast United as his style of play suits the club because of their wing-play.

Being from Imphal, the NorthEast club would also be keen on making him their poster boy. The winger’s trickery and ability to score goals will suit NorthEast and they still have a purse of 3 crores to spend on domestic players, which means they will look to spend on the 23-year-old.

Anas Edathodika

Age: 28

Club: Pune FC

Domestic appearances: 150

Domestic Goals: 1

Base price: 40 lakhs

Anas Edathodika has been a consistent performer in the I-League for Pune FC and has made over 150 appearances for the Pune outfit. Anas is a defender who possesses great positional awareness and is a very tough tackling centre-back.

The Kerala born defender has spent seven seasons in the top flight of Indian football and has established himself as one of the most consistent performers. Anas has great ability to read the game and snuffs out danger with ease.

NorthEast will look to strength defensively and in Anas they will have a defender who possesses great experience which will come handy over the course of the tournament. The Northeast club are one of the clubs along with Mumbai and Delhi who still have a good amount to spend at the auction. The club will look to make a few additions and acquiring Anas will add depth to the squad.