56 games that decide the Indian Super League table have come and gone, with Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Delhi Dynamos and Atletico de Kolkata going through to the semifinal spots. While there has been a rise in the impact of Indian players in ISL 2016, the foreign players still rule the roost, although the marquee players haven’t exactly set the world alight.
It’s been a fascinating ISL 2016, with 134 goals scored so far. There are still 5 games left to go that will decide the trophies, but the contribution of these players in the league is still laudable.
Here are the 5 best foreign players on the Indian Super League.
#5 Emiliano Alfaro
Such has been the importance of Emiliano Alfaro to NorthEast United that his fortunes have directly correlated to those of the Highlanders. A storming start to the season, including a brace against FC Goa meant that NEUFC began ISL 2016 looking down on the rest of the table.
That start made the whole league wake up and take notice of the tireless running that Alfaro does upfront, with the result that he is the second-most fouled player in the ISL this season, having been upended 31 times. The Uruguayan is no shrinking violet though, he’s returned the favour 25 times and thus has racked up the most yellow cards in the league with seven of those.
Given the extra attention to him paid by defenders in the latter half of the season, it’s not surprising that after Alfaro went the last 7 games without scoring having racked up 5 goals in the first 6 games of ISL 2016, with a shot accuracy of 72%. As a result, NEUFC’s slide down the table has seen them narrowly miss out on a semifinal spot, although Highlander fans will forgive Alfaro that as he provided them with some incredible moments.
#4 Javi Lara
Atletico de Kolkata’s Mr. Consistent, it’s telling that Javi Lara has played in every game this season. He’s been integral to ATK finishing in the semifinal spots yet again, pulling the strings from the wings, often beginning a move that ends up in a chance on goal.
The midfielder’s wand of a left foot has been the go-to option whenever Atletico have a free-kick or a corner, but Lara has strangely gone the entire campaign without an assist, despite Kolkata being great in the air. Yet, Lara is an 8/10 player every time he turns up, with the Spaniard’s presence being integral to Kolkata’s style of play.
Javi Lara has perhaps put a greater emphasis on goals this season, shooting 27 times on goal with an accuracy of 74% which are numbers more akin to a striker. He’s scored three memorable goals this season, the first being a winner against Kerala, the second being a crucial equaliser against Mumbai, and the third barnstormer of a goal against Delhi that earned ATK a point.
Lara’s goals have directly earned ATK 4 points - the difference between the Kolkata side making the semifinals and NEUFC pipping them to 4th place.
#3 Florent Malouda
Delhi Dynamos’ captain and conductor extraordinaire, Florent Malouda has been integral of the capital side reaching the semifinals of the ISL. The Frenchman suffered a slow start to the campaign, looking leggy and bereft of ideas as many pundits began to question whether he was past it, only for the midfield dynamo to provide them with a fitting reply.
Malouda is the third-highest player in ISL 2016 to be involved in goals, behind Delhi teammates Richard Gadze and Marcelinho. The Frenchman leads the assist charts this season, with 5 goals created while also scoring 3 goals himself. With 705 passes attempted at a success rate of 74%, Malouda is the 4th best passer in the league stages.
The numbers are rosy for Malouda, but statistics tell only half the story. The Frenchman is Delhi’s beating heart, captaining a resurgence in form that saw Gianluca Zambrotta’s side reach 3rd place. If the Dynamos are to go all the way and win ISL 2016, then Malouda will surely be pivotal, conducting the play in the No.10 role he has grown to define.
#2 Lucian Goian
Mumbai City FC finished ISL 2014 second from bottom and having conceded 21 goals. ISL 2015 saw them rise to 6th, conceding 26 goals in the process. They finished the group stages of ISL 2016 top of the table, conceding only 8 goals. The difference? Lucian Goian.
The Romanian has arguably been more crucial to the Mumbaikars presence at the pinnacle of the league than the likes of Diego Forlan, Sony Norde and Sunil Chhetri. Goian has been integral to Mumbai keeping 8 clean sheets this season, a feat never before achieved in the Indian Super League.
Goian’s defensive nous is readily apparent to the eyes, but the numbers that prove his value are truly awe-inspiring. The Romanian leads the way in tackles (67), winning 25 aerial duels and intercepting 31 times, the best of any player in the league. Goals may win you matches, but a defence wins you the league, and Goian might just be what earns Mumbai City FC their first ever Indian Super League trophy.
#1 Marcelinho
Far and away the best player of Indian Super League, Marcelinho has been the crown jewel of Delhi Dynamos’ excellent campaign so far. The Brazilian started like a house on fire, grabbing a brace in his first 90 minutes on an Indian pitch, tormenting defending champions Chennaiyin FC.
Marcelinho has scored a stunning 9 goals and assisted 5 goals so far this season, and is 2 shy of breaking Stiven Mendoza’s record of being involved in the most goals in an ISL season (16). The Brazilian has taken the most shots on goal this season (37), with an accuracy of 60%.
Marcelinho has already left his imprint on the ISL and fans will not forget his three-goal burst in 18 minutes against FC Goa anytime soon. Delhi Dynamos may have finished 3rd in the ISL table, but remain favourites to lift the trophy simply because Marcelinho’s magic with the ball at his feet could be the difference.
