'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indian Super League tends to throw its own surprises every season, with many players impressing everyone with their performances, despite not being fancied.
When one expected a World Cup star to set the world alight, a gem in Iain Hume was unearthed, or when Robert Pires was signed but we saw flashy, stylish play from Sameehg Doutie.
Needless to say, it has happened this year too. There have been players who people looked at in the beginning of the season and nonchalantly shrugged their shoulders, but they are the ones who have made people sit up and take notice as we approach the end of the season.
So, here are five players who surpassed our expectations this season:
#1 Debjit Majumder
For a long time, Debjit was synonymous to fist pumping, and badge kissing during Kolkata derbies, and boy did he do that well. In less passionate corners of India though, he was a good shot-stopper and a decent back-up goalkeeper.
Hence, there were quite a few eyebrows raised when Atletico de Kolkata decided to sell Amrinder Singh to Mumbai City FC.
But, whether Majumder would be Atletico’s number one was still anyone’s guess, especially with Shilton Paul in the same locker room. Since then, however, Debjit has really grown into the shirt. He has enhanced his shot-stopping reputation and considerably improved his distribution as well.
Behind an ever changing Atletico defence, the former Bhawanipore man has been a real constant, and has made 26 saves, the fourth highest in the League. For someone, who has played all 13 matches in the League, letting in just 14 goals is commendable.
#2 Marcelo Leite Pereira (Marcelinho)
More commonly known as Marcelinho, the Brazilian has truly lit up the third season of the Indian Super League. With the absence of a certain Stiven Mendoza, there needed to be a pretender to the throne, and boy has the Brazilian shown he is the right man to stake claim.
Marcelinho has scored eight goals and contributed five assists this season. His goals include a hat-trick against FC Goa. Despite having played for the youth teams of Atletico Madrid, he never really made a mark to get into the first team. A striker by trade, Zambrotta moved him to the right, where he's been exceptional.
He has truly set the standard, and that was clearly evident by the way he took his second goal in the game against FC Goa. Head and shoulders above the rest, Marcelinho's goalscoring and savvy play is one of the main reasons for Delhi being the best-attacking unit in the league.
#3 Milan Singh
Combative, good on the ball, and with a thunderbolt strike in him, the midfield dynamo for Delhi Dynamos, Milan Singh, has been in great form. When the season started, few would have expected the 24-year-old to start in any of the games, let alone play in eleven games.
The Manipur man has kept the likes of Denson Devdas, Alwyn George and Bruno Pelissari out of the squad. In the 989 minutes he has played, he has scored two goals with his five shots on target, made 25 tackles and 13 interceptions, numbers which are all commendable for a midfield player.
A call up to the Indian National Team doesn't look very far off and on the basis of his performances, he deserves it completely!
#4 CK Vineeth
Kerala Blasters missed him dearly in the early part of the season, as they were goalless for their first three games. Coinciding with CK Vineeth's return, who was away with Bengaluru FC, has been the return to form of the Blasters.
Despite playing only five matches for Kerala, Vineeth has had a great impact on the team from Kochi, scoring four goals at crucial intervals and proving his importance to the team.
For Bengaluru FC, CK Vineeth was often the almost man, working hard, making good runs, harrying the opposition but with almost no end product.
However, credit to him, he has answered his critics with aplomb in the Indian Super League. Hence, Kerala Blasters sit with 19 points, with more than a fair chance of reaching the playoffs.
#5 Lucian Goian
Mumbai City FC were the first side in ISL 3 to get a confirmed place in the playoffs. For a team that comprises of attacking players like Sunil Chhetri, Diego Forlan and Matías Defederico, their best player has been central defender, Lucian Goian.
The Romanian has been an absolute rock at the back for Mumbai with his 63 successful tackles being the highest in the ISL this season, eight more than his closest competitor. That is around six successful tackles in each of his games. To add to that, Goian has also won 22 aerial battles and made 29 crucial interceptions.
His performances are a big reason why Mumbai are at the top and why they have been touted as having the perfect ingredients for a championship.
The fact that Lucian Goian moved from Cluj after playing 24 games last season is in itself testament to the high quality that he brings to his team and the ISL.
