The third season of Indian Super League is set to begin in a day and Indian football fans are all excited to see their favourite football clubs battle out for the coveted trophy.
Despite being just two seasons old, the league has seen a host of big names participate, in addition to a host of immensely talented Indians and foreigners.
As we near the start of the third season, here are five players who will be making their ISL debut this season and will definitely impress -
Diego Forlan
The most high profile name to make his ISL debut this year is probably Diego Forlan. Following the signing of Nicolas Anelka in seasons one and two, Mumbai City FC have continued their tradition of roping in big marquee players, getting the former Uruguayan international as their big name for season three.
The 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner will definitely add a lot of style to the team. It will be interesting to see how this former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid player turns the fortunes around of the Mumbai outfit, who so far, haven’t been able to make the semi-finals.
Indian fans will be in for a real treat as they’ll get to see former India captain and all-time leading goal scorer, Sunil Chhetri, partnering with Forlan up top.
Having scored 255 goals for clubs through his career, the Uruguayan will be looking to use his experience and skill to great effect and taking Mumbai beyond the group stages.
Ruben Gonzalez Rocha
The name might not be that familiar, but Delhi fans will be waiting eagerly to watch him play.
The Delhi Dynamos centre-back is a product of the prestigious Real Madrid academy and has 87 caps and 4 goals for the club’s B-side. In fact, he even made four first team appearances before being loaned out.
The Spanish player also has the distinction of representing his nation in the U-16 to U-21 categories, but could not make it beyond that.
He has had a strong career in Spain, having played for the likes of Osasuna, Celta Vigo, Mallorca and Real Zaragoza. Rocha will be looking to form a strong understanding with Anas Edathodika in the Delhi defence.
The Spaniard is Delhi’s second foreign signing and there will high hopes on him to strengthen the defensive third of the team.
Duckens Nazon
In a bid to regain their lost place, the Kerala Blasters have signed a host of big name players this season, and one of them is Haitian International Duckens Nazon.
At just 22 years old, this Paris-born player has already played for three clubs before joining Kerala Blasters. He has primarily played in France and his pace and directness will be a great asset for the team from Kochi.
To add to the excitement, he was Haiti's hero when he scored the only two goals for his nation to help them qualify for the knock-out phase of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and was also a part of the country’s Copa America squad earlier this year.
He is now the fifth footballer from Haiti to play in the ISL after countryman Kervens Belfort (Kerala Blasters), Sony Norde (Mumbai City FC), Jean Eudes Maurice (Chennaiyin FC, 2014) and Franz Bertin (Mumbai City, 2015).
Udanta Singh
Udanta Singh has been touted as the next big thing in Indian football, and rightly so. He was a regular in the Bengaluru FC line-up as they clinched their second I-League title last season.
The Manipuri winger has broken into the national team under current coach Stephen Constantine, and enjoys playing in a front three alongside Sunil Chhetri and Jeje. His biggest strength is his ability to take defenders on as he uses his speed to great effect. Aside from being nippy, he has good poise on the ball and likes to run with it.
Signed by Mumbai City FC, he might be the perfect foil to the striking duo of Sunil Chhetri and Diego Forlan, and would complement Sony Norde very well, with both wingers capable of playing on either flank.
Kean Lewis
Kean Lewis is one of the Indian players who is expected to impress and he has a very different story from most of the other Indian players in the league. He trained with the Leicester City U-14 team, and since then he has played in the United States, Mexico, and the I-League, albeit just being, 24 years old.
He impressed in his stint at Mohun Bagan, providing good backup to Sony Norde and has offered pace and incision on the wings. An attacking midfielder who is able to play on the wings, he has wonderful close control and strength on the ball and plays very well with his back to goal.
With his abilities on the ball, he is definitely one to watch out for in the Indian Super League. Delhi Dynamos have exactly the player to guide the youngster as well in the form of marquee player Florent Malouda, who is a stylish winger himself.
On his day, Kean can be a handful to any defence and Delhi will be hoping he shows his best during the upcoming season.
