#5 Prabir Das
It is never easy to make an impression if you are young and are asked to replace a much more experienced campaigner. However, the 22-year-old Prabir Das has done just that this season, and how.
Das was brought into the Atletico de Kolkata first team as Bengaluru FC’s Keegan Pereira wasn’t available for a large portion of the ISL due to his AFC Cup commitments. The Mohun Bagan full-back did not disappoint his coach Jose Molina, or the fans, as he put in one splendid performance after another.
Despite being put into the unfamiliar left-back position, Das has shown grit and maturity far ahead of his years. The Indian Under-23 international has been one of the mainstays of the miserly Kolkata defence, which has conceded just five goals in the league so far.
Das is a tactically astute and hard-working player, although he does need to improve his crossing abilities. But he has time on his side, and there is widespread hope that the youngster from Sodepur will go on to make it big in the near future.
