ISL 2018-19: Power rankings from the Indian Super League - December

The Indian Super League (ISL) will enter its latter half of the season only next year. All the matches for 2018 are over and the league has taken a break as the Indian national football team will participate in AFC Asian Cup starting in January 2019.

The initial phase of the November fixtures showed a picture of what was to come this year. The matches that followed the international break last month were exciting, fun and left the audience at the edge of their seats.

After a mixture of good and a few boring days of football, Bengaluru FC have remained unbeaten and retained the top spot on the points table with 27 points. Mumbai City have climbed up to the second spot, closely followed by FC Goa and NorthEast United respectively. However, the tight run for the top four limits to Jamshedpur FC and ATK in the fifth and sixth positions.

The clubs at the bottom half of the table have a huge task in catching up to the rest. Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC are already out of the contention for the ISL playoffs. The biggest disappointment, however, has been Kerala Blasters, who have not won since their opening day victory over ATK.

The conditions of most of the teams can be directly pointed out to the performance of the players. While teams like BFC have been dominating with both individual and team performances, few other clubs have been completely miffed with the players they paid prices for.

Here, we see the Top 10 Ranked Players for the month of December based on Sportskeeda's Ranking formula.

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#10 Federico Gallego - NorthEast United (No Rise)

The presence of a player like Federico Gallego in the midfield has been a key factor in the Highlanders staying in the top 4.

The Uruguayan has kept his services intact for a second consecutive month. Federico Gallego has retained his 10th spot in the player rankings. Without any doubt, Gallego can be called one of those strong pillars on which the NorthEast United depends on.

The 28-year-old has made 12 appearances this season and scored three goals. He has also provided five assists to the team. A surprising, but valuable contribution from the player has come on the defensive side. Just how Gallego started, he has been supporting the defenders well with 31 tackles and 11 interceptions.

The presence of a player like Federico Gallego in the midfield has been a key factor in the Highlanders staying in the top four.

Sportskeeda Rating - 23.3

#9 Edu Bedia - FC Goa (-4)

Bedia has scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists so far this season.

FC Goa had to wait till their final fixture against NorthEast United to register their first victory after the matches resumed in November. This can be directly linked to the performances of their playmaker Edu Bedia, who has just dropped four positions from the previous month.

Having played 10 matches so far this season, Bedia has scored five goals and provided three assists. But the fact that only one goal and one assist came from the Spaniard in the last four games, disappoints the Gaurs.

However, Bedia hasn't gone much behind in terms of passing. From 85% passing accuracy the previous month, he has dropped to 83% this month, which has helped the team to a point.

A much better performance will be expected from this 29-year-old after the season break.

Sportskeeda Rating - 23.9

#8 Ahmed Jahouh - FC Goa (New entry)

Ahmed Jahouh

One player who has shown a tremendous work rate in Goa's dismal month is Ahmed Jahouh. While most other Goan players dropped their ratings, this Moroccan player entered into the Top 10 players.

Jahouh has played 10 matches, from which he has provided three assists. An impressive passing rate of 79.5 per cent has been held by this midfielder. Most of the 30-year-old's contributions have come at the defensive half.

Jahouh has completed 53 tackles and 19 interceptions. The 18 clearances and 23 blocks that came from the central midfielder has reduced the pressure on the otherwise shaky FC Goa defence.

Jahouh will have a lot of work left to do at the middle of the park, both offensively and defensively. With Edu Bedia dropping his form, Jahouh has come up at the right time to stop the oppositions from scoring goals.

Sportskeeda Rating - 24.9

#7 Seriton Fernandes - FC Goa (New entry)

Seriton has been one of the best Indian defenders in ISL this edition

Yet another new entry into the Top 10 Rankings and that too from FC Goa is Indian defender Seriton Fernandes.

With quiet, but effective performances on the right flanks of the Goan club, Seriton is receiving attention and give some tough competition to some names in the national team.

With 990 minutes of play time this season, the 26-year-old has offensively contributed two assists and 22 crosses to attack. Being another Goan player keeping good passing accuracy (78 per cent), Seriton has been one of the best Indian defenders in ISL this edition.

The young right-back has made 54 tackles and 17 interceptions in addition with 27 clearances and 21 blocks. By committing just 8 fouls altogether, this Goa-born has been making this easier for Sergio Lobera.

Seriton Fernandes would undoubtedly be a key presence in the Goa lineup for the rest of the season and will be a tough challenge to the young wingers.

Sportskeeda Rating - 25.5

#6 Memo - Jamshedpur FC (New entry)

The Brazilian has formed a good combination with Mario Arques at the defensive third of Jamshedpur.

The new entries into the ranking are not few this month. Another midfielder who has stolen the show in the recent matches is Emerson Gomes de Moura, known as Memo.

Though the season has been rich with goals, numbers prove that defenders and defensive midfielders have been getting a lot of things right this edition. Memo is another player included in the latter category.

Memo, who has played 12 matches for Jamshedpur FC scored one solitary goal, but again holds a very good passing accuracy rate - 81 per cent. His valuable contributions are felt in the compact defence, with 43 tackles, 29 interceptions and 18 blocks. A midfielder making 45 clearances indicate how worthy he is at his duties.

The Brazilian has formed a good combination with Mario Arques at the defensive third of Jamshedpur, winning the balls from outside the box. The month has been very impressive for this 30-year-old.

Sportskeeda Rating - 25.5

#5 Sandesh Jhingan - Kerala Blasters (+4)

Sandesh Jhingan has been consistent this season but the same cannot be said about Kerala Blasters

In what has been one of the worst seasons for Kerala Blasters, the few positives that can be taken out includes captain Sandesh Jhingan. Even when the team performances have been deteriorating, the 25-year-old has moved up four positions from the previous month.

The defender has played all the 12 matches for Blasters, where he pulled off one assist. Talking about the defence, his primary duty, Jhingan has been consistently improving his numbers with 33 tackles and 13 interceptions.

The dependence of the team on this Punjab-born player is evident from the 77 clearances he has made. Sandesh Jhingan is known for his commitment to the team and has made 23 blocks in total.

With a semi-final spot this season too far for the Yellow Brigade, Jhingan should be that one player who should be kept with the club in the coming seasons, just like the previous four editions.

Sportskeeda Rating - 27.3

#4 Rahul Bheke - Bengaluru FC (New entry)

The 28-year old Rahul Bheke has scored 2 goals and assisted 1

In a team full of performers, a right-back making such good impact is an impressive thing. Rahul Bheke has shown like no one had expected, coming very close to the national team call-up for Asian Cup.

Being on the field for every minute of play in 11 games, Bheke has raised the standards with equal contributions to attacks and defence.

The 28-year-old has scored two goals and assisted one along with keeping a passing accuracy of 73%. The major contributions from Bheke include 27 tackles and 13 interceptions. In terms of blocks, the wing back has impressed with 17 and clearances of 62.

The key factor that keeps him odd is the discipline showcased on the pitch. Bheke is seen not to lose his temper too soon and has made only nine fouls and been booked just once.

Sportskeeeda Rating - 28.5

#3 Ferran Corominas - FC Goa (-2)

Ferran Corominas leads the goalscoring chart

The fourth player from FC Goa in the Top 10 Players for December is striker Ferran Corominas. Though the leading goal scorer of the league, Coro has dropped two positions from number one last month, due to the goal drought he faced in three consecutive matches from late November.

Finally, Coro came back strong scoring two goals against NorthEast United, taking his total goal tally to 10. Being a sharp and regular presence up front for the Gaurs, the team depends a lot on this 35-year-old and arguably too much. However, the Spaniard has been hitting the objectives not by goal scoring alone, but by setting up - five of them.

Coro has tested the opposition goalkeeper with 28 shots and holds a goal conversion rate of 36%.

Without doubt, the former Girona FC striker will remain the 'go-to man' for Sergio Lobera.

Sportskeeda Rating - 29.5

#2 Lucian Goian - Mumbai City (+1)

Lucian Goian has completed 50 tackles and 18 interceptions for 'The Islanders'

Mumbai City FC holds the position of the club with most clean sheets - six and the goalkeeper alone cannot be credited for this. One man who has been exceptional and truthful to his duties is Lucian Goian.

Being on the field for 90 minutes in all their 12 matches, Goian has been a great wall to all attackers who came by Mumbai City. No mention can be made of any forward who completely outperformed this Romanian player.

Lucian Goian has completed 50 tackles and 18 interceptions for 'The Islanders'. The 22 blocks have just made things easier for Amrinder Singh at goal.

The area that Goian has assured, no danger lies is with loose balls and clearances. The 35-year-old has a total of 112 clearances to his name, leaving no scope for anyone to break into the goal.

The role of a senior player has been fairly taken up by Goian for Mumbai.

Sportskeeda Rating - 35.4

#1 Tiri - Jamshedpur FC (+1)

Tiri's 20 blocks and 111 clearances have come as the most useful contributions

A defender gets fairly recognised for his performances as Tiri becomes the Best Player of ISL for the month of December. Though his team Jamshedpur FC is placed fifth on the points table, Tiri's individual heroics have taken them a long way forward.

The Spanish player has been up to the mark with a passing accuracy of 82%. At defence, Tiri has completed 29 tackles and 23 interceptions.

The 20 blocks and 111 clearances have come as the most useful contributions from the 27-year-old to the club. The number of fouls he has committed - six, is relatively lesser and good to the team in reducing set-pieces from close ranges.

Officially known as José Luis Arroyo, this centre back just got better after the international break, which was directly reflected in the team's results.

Jamshedpur FC lost just one match after the November break, against Pune City conceding a late goal. Otherwise, the team defence was calm, just like Tiri.

Sportskeeda Rating - 35.8