ISL 2018-19: 5 key players for NorthEast United FC this season

When the ISL started five years ago, NorthEast United FC were billed as one of the biggest teams to watch, and some even went to the extent, given the region's love for the sport, to claim that NEUFC would be one of the major contenders for the title. Fast forward to the present date and the bookmakers couldn't have been more wrong in predicting NorthEast United's future.

The team finished bottom of the table twice and finished 5th twice in the league's four-year-old history, making it the only team which hasn't qualified for the knockout phase of the tournament even once.

Last year was a disaster for the John Abraham-owned franchise, as they finished 10th in the season. The Highlanders had a managerial change midway through the season, but the move didn't do much to change their fortunes for the season. Their main problem last season was their inability to score goals.

This season didn't start all rosy for the Guwahati-based franchise as their first choice for head coach, Avram Grant, who joined the team midway last season, decided not to pursue his role as head coach of NEUFC this season and instead, is wearing the hat of a technical advisor.

Avram Grant's assistant last season, Eelco Schattorie has been named the head coach for this season and ex-Indian Arrows coach, Arthur Papas will be working as his deputy.

If one listens to the chatter birds closely, then one can hear that a few of the ISL clubs have been suffering financially. A significant reason for this was their exuberant spending on aged 'retirement home' stars.

NorthEast United are one of those clubs which has been having specific issues regarding finances since the massive drop in attendance figures last season. One reason that can be attributed to the lack of spectators in the stands is the team's poor performance for the past few seasons.

NorthEast United have decided to spend smart this season and have invested in younger players more, rather than big names with big price tags. Even the foreign players of NorthEast United are relatively young, which is a good sign for the league too. The average age of NorthEast United FC foreigners is 26 with only two of the foreigners in their 30's.

This season the team will also rely heavily upon its young Indian signings too.

In this article, we take a look at five players who will be crucial for NorthEast United FC this season.

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#5 Rowllin Borges (Central Midfielder)

Rowllin Borges is NorthEast United's most important Indian player hands down. He has been the team's most important cog in their midfield and will be their leading man in midfield again.

Playing as a 'Regista' (deep lying playmaker), he will be the first name on Eelco's team list. Given the style of football Eelco prefers to play, Rowllin will be given ample opportunities to go forward and score goals. Last season, the Goanese midfielder was used as a defensive screen for most games, and he couldn't showcase his attacking ability or creativity much. This season, though, should be different for him as Eelco loves his midfielders making deep runs into the opposition half and latching onto second balls.

Rowllin has already scored in both the practice games that NorthEast United have played so far, and it is evident in the way that Eelco is using him, that he will have more freedom to go about his game than the previous season.

Rowllin would also want to get off to a good start with the AFC Asian Cup around the corner. It would be his last chance to get back into the good books of the Indian gaffer and finalise a ticket to UAE. With youngsters like Anirudh Thapa, Vinit Rai, Germanpreet Singh, and Amarjit Singh Kiyam performing so well in recent times, it could be tough for Rowllin to go to UAE.

#4 Mislav Komorski (Center Back)

The 6'3 centre back from Croatia will be the leading man marshalling NorthEast United's defence. The Dinamo Zagreb youth academy product has played for the Croatian national team in all age groups and is the first player along with his defence partner, Mato Grgic, to come to India from the Croatian top division.

At just 26, Mislav is at the peak of his career and it's a good move from NEUFC to sign a young defender, who has played in the top tier of European football.

Mislav defence pairing with Mato Grgic will provide the base on which NEUFC would look to stand. Both the Croatian centre-backs should have no problems in communication as they have experience in playing together for Inter Zapresik in Croatia. Mislav is the most crucial defender for NEUFC, and his form along with Mato Grgic's, would be vital in deciding NEUFC's fate this season.

#3 Federico Gallego (Attacking Midfielder)

Federico Gallego is one of the most crucial players in NorthEast United FC this season, just for the fact that he is the only natural central attacking midfielder in the team. The 26-year-old Uruguay-born midfielder is rated highly by Northeast United FC staff and the team has high hopes from him.

Federico has played for top-level Uruguay clubs like Liverpool and Boston River. Even though his stats are not as rosy as they should be, the team is hoping his style of play will have an impact on the league and the team.

Federico loves to play just behind the striker and in a free role, which allows him to express himself adequately. He can also play on the wings, if needed.

NorthEast United will be looking at Federico to provide the assists this season.

#2 Augustine Okrah (Winger)

The Ghanaian winger is one of the main attacking arsenals NorthEast have amassed this season. The nippy 24-year-old winger is known for his speed and fancy footwork.

Okrah is a player who was handpicked by Eelco himself after he played under the Dutch coach in Ghana for Red Bull Ghana. Okrah will most likely start on the left flank and will look to interchange positions with Gallego and Ogbeche from time to time.

The Ghanaian winger also boasts of an impressive record for Ghana U20 squad, having scored five goals in four appearances.

Okrah has already scored in the practice games that NEUFC have played so far. He has a knack for scoring goals too, and NEUFC will hope that he can help out Ogbeche in the scoring department.

Keep an eye out for his long rangers this season.

#1 Bartholomew Ogbeche (Striker)

NorthEast United FC's hopes and dreams depend heavily on the way their Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche performs this season. He is the most experienced player in the team, having played in various top-flight European clubs like Paris St. German (PSG), Valladolid, Alaves, Middlesborough, Willem II.

Even though Ogbeche is 33, statistically, he is having the best run of his career for the past two years. Last year he scored 12 goals in 38 apps for Willem II, who play in the top tier of Netherlands, the Eredivisie. Scoring 12 goals in any top-level league in Europe is a praiseworthy stat, and NorthEast United would hope the Nigerian striker can replicate his goal-scoring form this season too, especially after the last season when the team suffered from a goal drought.

Ogbeche has already hit the ground running by scoring a brace in each of the practice games NorthEast have played so far.

He is mainly known for his speed, power and heading ability. He can be described as the perfect fox-in-the-box type of striker. Ogbeche has also represented the Nigerian national team 11 times, scoring three goals for them.

If NorthEast United midfield can provide Ogbeche with the service he needs, then there should not be any shortage of goals for the Highlanders.