The Yellow Army: Kerala Blasters FC

ISL 2018-19: Top 10 Best Players To Have Represented Kerala Blasters FC

Two times runners-up of the Indian Super League, Kerala Blasters FC aka the 'Yellow Army', is having the largest fan base in India - 'Manjappada'. Manjappada also won the 'Best Fan Club of the Year' award last season.

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Kerala Blasters FC players played a major role in building such a skyscraping fanbase up, since the lead-off of the club. If we take a look back to the history of the club, we will get to see such eminent personalities, who won the hearts of their fans with their worthy contribution.

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From the foreigners to the local players, each and every member has shown their love and passion towards the club. Kerala Blasters FC is not just a football club, it has been a family to the players. Here in this following slideshow, we will be focusing on top 10 best players to have represented Kerala Blasters FC.

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#10 Wes Brown

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Wes Brown was one of the vigilant and trusted sentry of the 'Yellow Army'
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Although this former Manchester United centre-back played only one season (ISL 2017-18) for the 'Yellow Army', took no time to be one of the fan favourites of the Manjappada. After signing to his new club, Brown praised the supporters of the club and stated that the fanbase of KBFC also led him to sign for the club.

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Wes Brown was one of the vigilant and trusted sentry of the 'Yellow Army'. He successfully restricted a lot of good attacks of the rival strikers by his powerful and intelligent tackles. The 39-years old English defender made a total of 14 appearances for KBFC last season, played for 1260 minutes and contributed one momentous goal in the match against NorthEast United FC, which helped the Blasters securing a significant 1-0 win over NEUFC.

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#9 Josué Currais Prieto

In the very first match of his ISL career, Josu scored for his side against NEUFC
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Josué Currais Prieto aka Josu made his debut for Kerala Blasters FC, in the 2nd edition (ISL 2015) of the Indian Super League against Northeast United FC, on October 6, 2015. In the very first match of his ISL career, this Spanish attacking midfielder scored for his side and took no time to be the apple of the eyes of the KBFC fans.

The Jersy No. 99 was the fan favourite because of his friendly approach towards his fans. Josu had an unbreakable bonding with the KBFC fans and he also had showcased his love towards the Blasters' fan base as he said,

"I can proudly say that I have played in front of 80,000 people. Not just people, they are classy fans."

The 25-years old Spanish lad made a total of 23 appearances in the yellow jersey, in the 2nd and 3rd editions of the Indian Super League. Josu played for 1811 minutes and scored one memorable goal in his debut match against NEUFC.

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Although Josu had only one goal in his account, he was the deity of the Blasters' midfield. He created a lot of fruitful chances for his side and assisted five times. This versatile playmaker transformed to a defender from a midfielder, in the 2nd season of his ISL career. Josu played as a left-back instead of an attacking midfielder, in the 2016 season of Indian Super League.


#8 Antonio German

Quick and creative German was one of the Blasters' lethal weapons up front
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The man who just doesn't need an introduction is, Antonio German. The 26-years old fan favourite English centre-forward played for the Blasters in the 2nd and 3rd editions of the Indian Super League and impressed the entire Manjappada with his skills.

German made his ISL debut in the yellow jersey against FC Pune City on October 27, 2015. He made a total of 19 appearances for KBFC, played for 1068 minutes and contributed six mesmerising goals. He was the star for the Blasters in the attack, in a menacing partnership with Christopher Dagnall.

Not only scoring, but German was also the maestro of assisting. He assisted his teammates five times to score for their team. This quick and creative striker was one of the Blasters' lethal weapons up front.


#7 Christopher Dagnall

Christopher Dagnall contributed six cabalistic goals for the 'Yellow Army'
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Christopher Dagnall made his debut for Kerala Blasters FC, in the 2nd edition (ISL 2015) of the Indian Super League against NorthEast United FC, on October 6, 2015. He scored his debut goal against Atlético de Kolkata (ATK) on November 15, 2015, but failed to bring at least a single point for his side as ATK won the match 2-1.

The 32-years old English centre-forward made a total of 13 appearances for KBFC, played for 1031 minutes, contributed six cabalistic goals and assisted two times for his team. The deadly combination of Dagnall and German was enough to debacle the opponent defence.

#6 David James

David James was appointed as the player-manager of KBFC, for the inaugural edition of ISL
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David James was signed by the Blasters for the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL 2014) as a player-manager. He was one of the most experienced personnel of the 1st edition of ISL as he had played for top-level Premier League teams like Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City etc.

The 48-years old former English goalkeeper made a total of 12 appearances for KBFC in the first season of the league and played for 1010 minutes. James managed to keep five clean sheets throughout the season, while conceded 10 times.

James made his ISL debut for the 'Yellow Army' against NorthEast United FC on October 13, 2015, and conceded a goal in his debut match as KBFC lost to NEUFC 0-1. Eventually, at the end of the tournament, the Blasters became the runners-up of the Indian Super League 2014 and appeared as one of the 'ISL Giants', under the supervision of the player-manager, David James.

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#5 Iain Hume

Hume's insatiable appetite for goals made him this much popular among his supporters
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The absolute 'Goal machine' of the Blasters, Iain Hume had been one of the most loved and admired footballer of all time, among all the supporters of all the clubs across India. It's needless to say Hume was one of the most fan favourites of the Manjappada. He joined Kerala Blasters FC for the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL 2014) in 2014.

The 35-years old Canadian centre-forward made his debut for Kerala Blasters FC in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL 2014), against Northeast United FC, on October 10, 2014.

Hume left KBFC and played for Atlético de Kolkata (ATK) for the next two seasons of ISL (ISL 2015 and 2016) but again he joined his former club in the 4th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL 2017-18).

Iconic Hume made a total of 25 appearances for KBFC, played for 1779 minutes and scored nine eye-catching goals along with two assists. Hume's insatiable appetite for goals, as well as the goalscoring ability, made him this much popular among his supporters.

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#4 Courage Pekuson

Pekuson
is capable of bridging the gap between defence and attack
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The 23-years old Ghanaian lad, Courage Pekuson has been a trusted member of the Blasters' family, since his participation in the Indian Super League. This exceptionally talented youngster is capable of bridging the gap between defence and attack.

Pekuson made his ISL debut for the 'Yellow Army' against Atlético de Kolkata (ATK) on November 17, 2017, in the 4th edition of the Indian Super League (ISL 2017-18). He scored his debut goal for the Blasters against Bengaluru FC on December 31, 2017, though KBFC lost the match 1-3.

The courageous midfielder has made a total of 18 appearances for KBFC, played for 1495 minutes and scored one goal, along with four assists so far. Pekuson has the ability to create prolific chances for his team, along with the assisting capability.

#3 CK Vineeth

Vineeth has been one of the strong pillars in the midfield of Kerala Blasters FC
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CK Vineeth has been one of the most loyal and devoted assets for the Kerala Blasters FC since the 2nd edition of ISL (ISL 2015). This invincible warrior has been resolute for 4 long years in the team. Vineeth has infatuated the hearts of the entire Manjappada by his noteworthy consistency on the pitch.

The 30-years old Indian midfielder made his ISL career debut in the yellow jersey against NorthEast United FC, on October 6, 2015. In his debut match, Vineeth contributed the Blasters with a valuable assist. Though his debut season was not a smooth-sailing for him, he became able to seize a firm position in the squad in the next edition of ISL (ISL 2016).

Vineeth has made a total of 33 appearances for the Blasters, played for 2278 minutes and contributed ten remarkable goals, along with three assists so far. Vineeth has been one of the strong pillars in the midfield of Kerala Blasters FC.

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#2 Lalruatthara

The youngster from Mizoram, Lalruatthara has been one of the most reliable anchors on the pitch

The youngster from Mizoram, Lalruatthara was acclaimed as the 'Emerging Player of the Season' by the Blasters last season (ISL 2017-18). The 23-years old Indian left-back has been one of the most reliable anchors on the pitch, performing consistently for his team since his emergence in the squad.

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Lalruatthara has made a total of 20 appearances for the 'Yellow Army', played for 1800 minutes and has 99 successful tackles so far. He made his ISL debut in the yellow jersey against Atlético de Kolkata (ATK), on November 17, 2017. Along with Sandesh Jhingan, so far this valorous defender has restricted the opponent strikers boldly.


#1 Sandesh Jhingan

Jhingan has never played for any other ISL team since the commencement of Indian Super League
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When it comes to loyalty and passion, no one can stand against this man, Sandesh Jhingan. The 25-years old Indian centre-back from Chandigarh has never played for any other ISL team since the commencement of Indian Super League and for that, he has earned a special place in the hearts of Manjappada.

This versatile playmaker has the ability to play anywhere in the defence and since the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League (ISL 2014), Jhingan has been a rock-solid block in the defensive line for the 'Yellow Army'.

Jhingan made his ISL career debut in the yellow jersey against Chennaiyin FC on October 21, 2014. So far, he has made a total of 61 appearances for KBFC, played for 5527 minutes and has 156 successful tackles. Jhingan not only keeps the opponent strikers silent but also helps his teammates with his skilful assists and crosses.

This season, Jhingan has been given the Captain's armband for the Blasters.

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Edited by
Shruti Sadbhav
 
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