ISL 2016 is coming down to its conclusion tomorrow as Kerala Blasters face Atletico de Kolkata at their home turf in the grand finale of India's premier football competition. A league which has domination of foreign players on every team, it's hard for young Indian players to make their mark on the minds of the supporters.
This was the case in the third edition as well where foreign players ran the show and Indian players had to play a side role. Some of them shone despite this fact which included the likes of Mandar Rao Desai and Prabir Das. There were some who were as important to their respective teams as their foreign players. So let's take a look at the five best Indian players of this season who must be retained by their clubs next season to perform well in ISL 2017:
#5 Jerry Lalrinzuala - Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC, the reigning champions could not defend their title and failed to qualify for the knockout stages. One youngster stood above the rest for the Super Machans as the 18-year-old fullback, Jerry Lalrinzuala made his mark on the ISL this season. Manager Marco Materazzi was highly impressed by the youngster in the preseason and gave the AIFF Elite Academy graduate his well-deserved chance.
After displacing Mohanraj after the first game itself, the youngster managed to keep Chennaiyin's marquee player, John Arne Riise out of the starting eleven for most of the games. The 18-year-old was strong in defence and was brilliant offensively as Jerry showed immense work rate whenever he was given the opportunity. He scored a sublime free kick against FC Goa which reflected his prowess on both sides of the field.
Super Machans will have to do everything in their power to keep hold of the talented fullback who made 29 tackles, 16 interceptions and also won 6 aerial duels despite his short frame.
#4 Eugeneson Lyngdoh - FC Pune City
The Stallions had a dismal ISL season three which was a result of a number of issues starting with the ban of four matches on manager Antonio Habas and the season-ending injury to Eidur Gudjohnsen. India's midfield lynchpin and Bengaluru FC's midfield engine was expected to play a lion share's role in Pune's quest to reach their first ever semifinals.
With Bengaluru FC's journey to the AFC Cup final, Lyngdoh was unavailable for the majority of the season as Pune City struggled in his absence. Results started to pick up when he joined the squad with Habas slowly integrating him into the starting lineup. Pune have an exciting squad coupled with an experienced manager but their aim should firstly be on securing the Meghalaya born Lyngdoh's services for the next season.
It was believed that Habas had made signings before the start of this season keeping in mind Eugeneson Lyngdoh in the starting lineup as in the former Valencia manager had built his team around India's elite midfielder. Pune City will benefit next season for sure if Lyngdoh is available next season from the first game.
#3 Rowlin Borges - NorthEast United
It has always been a worrying trend in ISL as not many Indian players have gone on to make a midfield berth their own for an entire season. Rowlin Borges of the Highlanders is a pleasant change to that trend and he just might be a long term solution for both the club as well as the country. Harmanjeet Khabra of Chennaiyin FC was perhaps the only exception last season where he played a pivotal role in the Super Machans lifting the ISL trophy from the centre of the park.
Borges has been a favourite of Stephen Constantine in his Indian team in recent years and he showed this season why he is rated so highly as the tough tackling Borges made North East tick in the midfield. Wins over Kerala Blasters and FC Goa were mastered by the commanding midfielder who dictated the tempo of the game for Nelo Vinguda's side. Borges brought stability to an attacking North East unit and that is the reason he will be in high demand from the other clubs.
North East were unlucky not to qualify for the semis this season and if they want to qualify next season, along with new signings, holding on to Rowlin Borges will be one of their most important tasks.
#2 CK Vineeth - Kerala Blasters
If Kerala does win the ISL this season, a major credit of that feat will go to the local lad, CK Vineeth. After an impressive performances for Bengaluru FC in their AFC Cup campaign, he returned to a struggling Blasters side who were badly in need of an inspiration. Though he failed to score in both the legs of semifinals, Vineeth managed to score five goals in six matches to help Kerala occupy the second spot in the table.
The Kannur born Vineeth played as a striker for Bengaluru FC but was utilised on the flanks by Steve Coppell for Kerala to accommodate the likes of Duckens Nazon and Kervens Belfort. Kerala's hopes rely on their local lad to give them the trophy that they craved for since the past two seasons.
Coppell must assure the forward to stay at the club next season too as the Blasters now have a settled look to their attacking unit as the team will benefit immensely having one of the most clinical strikers in the country playing for them.
#1 Kean Lewis - Delhi Dynamos
Lewis can be easily said as the best Indian player this ISL season as he impressed in a team which had the likes of Richard Gadze, Marcelinho and Florent Malouda in their ranks. He not only played along well along with them this season, Lewis matched their attacking output and also was better than them on some occasions. The 24-year-old is the second highest Indian goalscorer this season with 4 goals and 2 assists just behind Kerala's CK Vineeth.
His direct play coupled with his blistering pace, Lewis troubled the opposition defences at large with the ball at his feet. Also known as the "Fox in the Box" Lewis, Delhi Dynamos must ensure that the youngster is happy at the club and ward off any interest from potential suitors. Lewis and Delhi were exciting to watch this season and this combination must be retained for the next season to enthral the supporters worldwide.
