3. Rowllin Borges – NorthEast United
The Goan has been quietly going about his job in a quietly impressive NorthEast United. Having started his career as a creative, attacking midfielder, many still confuse him with that image and say his stats of 0 goals, 0 assists and just 1 shot on goal are a poor return. They would be, if he was still playing in that role. You see, these days Borges is the antithesis of a creative midfielder that under Nelo Vingada. He is – if you will allow me a teeny bit of artistic leeway – the Sergio Busquets of the side.
Nigh on invisible if you look at only the highlights or the stats, he has been the indispensable rock upon which Vingada has built an exciting, counter-attacking team that makes up for its lack in star names with graft, team-work and a never-say-die attitude – and Borges is the embodiment of those qualities.
He transitions play beautifully well between defence and attack, screens his back four at all times and is a presence all over the pitch with his abundance of energy and willingness to run his socks off every time he steps foot on the pitch, he has been pivotal to the NorthEast surge this year
