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Northeast United FC had a fantastic 2018-19 season as they reached the playoff stages of the ISL for the first time in history. They came inches close in the 2015 and 2016 season when they finished fifth in the points table. But, they were never able to fulfil their aspirations of playing in the semi-finals.
Despite having one of the lowest budgets among the ISL franchises, Dutchman Eelco Schattorie instilled confidence in them that they could make it to the playoffs and, the players reposed their faith.
However, in the upcoming season, heavy budget teams might lure a few of these players and, the Highlanders will have a hard time saying no. Mumbai City FC have already splurged their money to get Rowllin Borges' services and others might also follow suit.
Without any further ado, here are 5 players who could leave Northeast United FC at the end of this season.
#5 Kivi Zhimomi
Northeast United FC signed Kivi Zhimomi from Gokulam Kerala FC just before the onset of the 2018-19 season owing to his fabulous work-rate and swift movements. While playing for Gokulam FC, the 22-year-old scored two goals for the Malabarians against East Bengal and Shillong Lajong, which even turned out to be the winning goal.
However, he couldn't impress Eelco Schattorie and got no playing time under him. Subsequently, the first Naga player to play in the I-League was loaned to TRAU FC in the Second Division. Kivi scored two goals in four appearances for the Manipur-based club in the group stages, which includes a goal against the reserve team of Jamshedpur FC.
The chances of Kivi staying with Northeast United FC are very low. Bartholomew Ogbeche is Northeast United FC's main striker and Federico Gallego supports him. Although both of them got injured in the business end of the season, they both are expected to recover and stay with the club for the next season. Even if either of them doesn't sign an extension, the Highlanders have Juan Mascia and Girik Khosla in their ranks.
Either Kivi will continue with TRAU or will sign for some other club. But, continuing with Northeast United FC looks like a far-fetched option for the youngster now.
#4 Redeem Tlang
This might come as a surprise for many Northeast United FC fans that the man who scored their first goal in the two-legged semi-finals against Bengaluru FC might sail his ship outside the Northeast United territory. But then, Redeem Tlang didn't travel with the ISL semi-finalist for their Super Cup journey despite being fully fit.
The Shillong Lajong youth academy graduate played 19 matches for them in the right wing and his pinpoint crosses were a constant headache for the defenders. The 24-year-old also averaged at 32.53 passes per game and made a staggering 74 tackles despite not being a defender.
However, the 24-year-old is also known for his incessant fouls, which saw him getting five yellow cards in the competition. Nikhil Kadam can step up for Northeast United FC in his absence, who has higher passing accuracy and concedes lesser fouls.
#3 Janeiler Rivas Palacios
Northeast United FC signed Columbian Janeiler Rivas Palacios in the business end of the season to make way for Mislav Komorski who injured himself with a few games to spare. The 30-year-old played previously for Colombia's Millonarios FC and even made an appearance in the Copa Libertadores for them against the legendary Brazilian-club Corinthians.
Palacios made 28 clearances for the Highlanders in the four ISL matches he was a part of and conceded only one foul. He could have signed an extension with Northeast United FC but the latest ISL regulations which allows the franchises to keep a maximum of six foreigners in their squad at a time means that he would be shown the door.
It remains to be seen if the 194-cm tall central defender goes back to his native country of Colombia or signs for some other ISL club.
#2 Gurwinder Singh
Gurwinder Singh came with a lot of hype when Northeast United FC announced his signing. The 33-year-old captained the East Bengal side which won eight successive CFL titles and was a constant figure in the Kerala Blasters back-four which reached the finals of the inaugural season.
However, his performance this season for Northeast United FC was nothing but abysmal. He donned the Highlanders' journey for only 601 minutes, wherein he got a yellow card and was sent off once.
The defender does have 66 clearances to his name but that compensates very little to the incessant fouls he gives away and the strikers constantly outpacing him in the defensive third.
Gurwinder Singh is nearing his retirement and very few clubs would like to have a liability like him in the ranks. Northeast United FC might release him to make way for a young defender.
#1 Rehenesh TP
Rehenesh TP is a Northeast United FC faithful, having played for them since the inaugural season. He remains as one of the select few Indian players to have donned only one club's jersey in the ISL throughout all the five seasons apart from Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sandesh Jhingan.
In the inaugural 2014 season, the Keralite made 40 saves in 12 matches and in the next season, he made seven more. He did lose his number one spot under the sticks in the 2016 season but made a comeback in the next edition when the club finished in the bottom of the table.
But, this season, he lost the numero uno position again to Pawan Kumar and the Punjabi lad has been nothing but magnificent. Rehenesh TP signed a two-year extension in 2017 which kept him till 2019. However, now that the season is over, don't be surprised if he pens the deal with some other ISL or I-League club.
