ISL 2018-19: Top 5 Local Stars of Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala is one of the rare football crazy neighbourhoods in India, where historically Football has dominated cricket in popularity and acceptance.

Boasting about likes of legendary Indian footballers like I M Vijayan, V P Sathyan and Joe Paul Anchery, Kerala had won the Santosh Trophy tournament six times in the history of Indian football.

With the emergence of ISL and Kerala Blasters FC, a new drug has been injected into the veins of Kerala youth to embrace football once again.

Kerala Blasters FC has given the chance for quite a few local players of Kerala. Sushanth Mathew, Mohammed Rafi and Rino Anto were some of the local players who played with Kerala Blasters FC in the previous years.

In this article, let us look at the Top 5 local players of Kerala Blasters FC in the ISL season 2018-19.

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# 5 Prasanth Karuthadathkuni

Prasanth first signed up with Kerala Blasters FC in the year 2016. He was considered as a useful substitute in the ISL season 2017-18 in many games by David James and impressed with his sheer pace down the wings. He was retained by James for the ISL season 2018-19.

Prasanth had won the appreciation of Hermann Hreidarsson and was acknowledged his efficient work ethic in the training sessions. Even the Serbian forward Slavisa Stojanovic gave his approval for the skill set Prasanth brings to the squad.

"Prasanth is the best young player at Kerala Blasters. He was really good against Melbourne. His dribbling, his crosses were all good."

Hailing from Kozhikode in Kerala, the 21-year-old winger has set his aims to get into the Indian National team.

That would be quite an ask which would warrant consistent performances. With age on his side and proper mentoring, Prasanth has the potential to get into the national squad.

# 4 Zakeer Mundampara

Zakeer hails from Malappuram, where football is itself a religion. Whenever you go around the region, you can see numerous posters advertising the sevens tournaments in the area. You would even be surprised to see lots of Africans playing in these matches.

The 28-year-old midfielder has a rich history of football having played for the likes of Chirag United Kerala, Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan and Salgaocar.

He joined the ISL bandwagon with Chennaiyin FC under Marco Matterrazzi during 2015 and 2016. Switched to Mumbai City FC in the player draft of ISL 2017-18 and was signed by Kerala Blasters for the 2018-19 season in place of Milan Singh who has switched to Mumbai City FC from Kerala.

One can note that Zakeer already has an ISL trophy in his kitty with Chennaiyin FC in 2015.he would be hoping for doubling it with his home state team in the ISL season 2018-19.

# 3 Sahal Abdul Samad

Sahal Abdul Samad is 21-year-old Midfielder from Kannur in Kerala, who incidentally started his footballing career with Kerala Blasters FC, has become a regular in the 2018-19 season.

Many raised eyebrows when he got a start ahead of the likes of foreign recruits Keziron Kizito and Courage Pekuson. But with 93 passes in three games and two shots on target, Sahal has made his point.

He will be looking forward to earning regular starts at Kerala Blasters FC and would be a strong contender for the ISL emerging player of the season award if his good form continues.

With the good potential to improve his game, Sahal can be a good asset to the Indian football community provided he is nurtured and not allowed to wither away as we had seen with numerous potential players.

Being in the good books of David James, Sahal has his immediate future secured at Kerala Blasters FC.

# 2 Anas Edathodika

Anas Edathodika is the centreback who is the partner for Sandesh Jhingan in the Indian national team.

Their partnership at the back was widely appreciated by Stephen Constantine and was endorsed by David James when he signed the 31-year-old Malappuram born defender to guard the backline of Kerala Blasters FC with Jhingan.

Anas has years of experience under his belt with Mumbai football club and Pune football club before the ISL years.

He played for Delhi Dynamos FC in the first two seasons of ISL before being picked up by Steve Coppell in the player draft for Jamshedpur FC in 2017.

He moved over to Kerala for the 2018-19 season of ISL and will be longing to make an impact this season with clean sheets.

Anas Edathodika was vocal in his ambition to play for Kerala Blasters FC and was extremely happy when David James expressed his interest. Being on the last prime of his career, Anas will be looking to make this season count.

# 1 CK Vineeth

When you speak about Kerala Blasters FC, it is his name and face that resonates with you apart from Sandesh Jhingan.

That is the kind of impact Vineeth has had with the fans in Kerala. Known for his tireless runs on the opposition defenders and never say die attitude has enabled him to score quite a few last minute goals in the ISL becoming the saviour for Kerala in quite a few occasions.

Chekiyot Kizhakkeveettill Vineeth hailing from Kannur is another player from the Malabar region of Kerala.

The 30-year old shot to fame with his heroics at Bengaluru FC where he scored 44 goals in 94 appearances from 2014 to 2017. He also has represented India in seven international games.

Vineeth has quite an impressive fan following for his football and for his activities outside football for being a normal citizen with firm beliefs.

Vineeth will be looking at ISL 2018-19 as a season which may define his career when he looks back years later.