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ISL fans have seen numerous football legends playing for their favourite. These legendary players helped organizers attract mass audience into the galleries and helped the growing Indian youngsters learn a lot.
Even though many marquee signings failed to perform what they once did in Europe's finest pitches, they were another faction of marquee signings, who took their team in their shoulders.
They led the line for their team, inspired the teammates, as well as the audience. They were not at their prime best, but they made sure they committed the best they could.
In this article, we will take a look the six best ISL marquee signings.
#6 David James
The former Liverpool shot-stopper was the marquee signing of Kerala Blasters in the inaugural edition.
David James played a role of player-cum-coach for Kerala Blasters and played an important part in the team reaching the finals, where they lost to ATK.
James featured in 12 games for Kerala Blasters that season. The former English international pulled off some remarkable saves and his presence helped players like Sandip Nandy others learn a lot.
He was also their coach in the inaugural season. He, with the help of Trevor Morgan, built brilliant strategies and made the side capable of clinching the trophy.
However, destiny was to end up losing in the final.
James is currently the coach of Kerala Blasters' in a three-year deal. He took the charge at the helm after Kerala Blasters sacked Rene Meulensteen midway through the season.
#5 John Arne Riise
Even though Chennaiyin FC endured a tragic campaign in 2016, John Arne Riise did a fine job, when we look at the individual terms.
In the second edition of Indian Super League, Riise plied his trade for Delhi Dynamos, though not as a marquee player.
His performance at Delhi Dynamos was impressive. His play often took the fans back into the 2000s (He has played for Liverpool, Monaco, Roma etc.)
The versatile player then joined Chennaiyin FC, who were the then defending champions in the ISL.
He played 10 games for Chennaiyin FC and scored a goal. But, he couldn't help them quality into the playoffs.
But, on an overall note, he had a great time playing in India, especially for Delhi Dynamos.
#4 Diego Forlan
The Uruguayan legend was the marquee player of Mumbai City FC in the third edition.
Forlan managed to link well with Sunil Chhetri, Soni Norde, Udanta and other players. He stood as a leading presence in the Mumbai attacks.
Forlan featured in 11 games and scored five goals. His hat-trick that rip the KBFC defence apart explained the class Forlan had.
He exploited the problems KBFC's defence had and helped Mumbai City FC ensure a thumping 5-0 victory.
Despite finishing first in the group stages, he was unlucky as ATK defeated them in the semi-finals.
However, his heroic act will forever be remembered,
#3 Florent Malouda
Florent Malouda was with Delhi Dynamos in the second and third season. The former Chelsea took ISL by storm and gave form to some of the great attacking sects.
In the third season, Delhi Dynamos, under Malouda's leadership stormed into the league, defeat opponents one by one.
Their capability to fight and win games, even when they are down with 10 men, described the attacking potency of the team.
Malouda featured in 24 games for Delhi Dynamos and bagged three goals to his name.
He linked and worked well with Marcelinho and attacked the opposition defences.
#2 Aaron Hughes
The Northern Ireland international was the marquee signing made by the Southern outfit Kerala Blasters in the third season.
Hughes brought defensive stability into the team and partnered with Cedric Hengbart and displayed defensive sternness throughout the season.
His impact in their game was even more visible in his absence. Mumbai CIty trounced Kerala Blasters for 5-0 when Hughes went for International duty.
He made his appearance 11 times for Kerala Blasters and scored a goal. But, Kerala Blasters were unlucky injury caught Hughes during the final and it forced Steve Coppell to replace him with Elhadji Ndoye.
#1 Elano Blumer
In the first two seasons, Chennaiyin FC were a force to reckon. Their team had the best players, they were dominant during the group stages.
Their marquee signing Elano Blumer was impressive and influential for them in the ISL. Elano scored eight goals for them in the inaugural season, where he made 11 appearances. Great achievement, isn't it?
He formed great partnerships with players like Steven Mendoza and helped Chennaiyin outride their opponents.
In the first season, Chennaiyin FC and Elano were a delight to watch. But, they were not fortunate enough as Stephen Pierson's last-gasp goal eliminated them from the competition.
In the next season, Elano performed a similar job. He functioned well with Mendoza and others and helped Chennaiyin clinch the ISL title and throne as the eventual champions of Indian Super League.
He scored four goals for Chennaiyin FC in the second season from 15 appearances and is the best marquee signing ever made by an ISL franchise until the date.
