'%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)
#4 Michael Soosairaj( Jamshedpur FC)
While the ISL hogged most of the attention during the 2017/18 Indian football season, Michael Soosairaj inspired little Chennai City FC to stave off relegation in the I-league.
His season tally of three goals and four assists was one of the highlights of this year's I-league, as his performances helped Chennai City FC beat the likes of Mohun Bagan and Minerva Punjab to stay in the I-league.
His performances as an attacking midfielder helped him earn a contract with ISL side Jamshedpur FC, thus giving him a larger platform to showcase his skill next season.
Though Soosairaj's performance bettered as the season progressed, his ability to score and assist in vital parts of a game proved to be the turning points of Chennai City's season.
This is the type of player a manager would love to have in cup competitions. With Mohammed Rafique having a torrid season with East Bengal, it would bode well for the national team if a player of Soosairaj's caliber is given the opportunity, so as to bring some fresh young talent into the team.
Just like Rafique, Soosairaj could be used as an attacking substitution in case goals are needed in later parts of a game, thus increasing the coach's options.
#3 Mandar Rao Dessai (FC Goa)
Mandar Rao Dessai is a name synonymous with Goan and Indian football. He has been in and around the domestic setup for years, but has struggled to find a place in the national team in spite of consistent performances.
His dribbling and crossing are of high quality, and his goal-scoring ability is an asset to any team.
He can play both as a left winger and a right winger, thus offering a perfect replacement to the under-performing Jackichand Singh or Holicharan Nazary.
He has a good physique, and can thus compete with the fullbacks of the West Asian nations at the continental event. He is agile on the wings, and his league performances are deserving of a national call-up.
