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The news of former Manchester United defender, Wes Brown signing for Kerala Blasters in ISL season 4 is a big step ahead in the development of Indian football. The Premier League is the most watched footballing competition in the country and signing players from the elite league always garners huge attention. Robbie Keane has also signed up for ATK with reports also saying that Dimitar Berbatov is also on his way to India.
The previous three seasons of the Indian Super League also saw numerous Premier League stars playing for India's elite competition with this season offering no exception. With Wes Brown and Robbie Keane set to star in this edition of the ISL, we decided to take a look at the best XI from the Premier League that has played in the competition:
Goalkeeper
David James
The 47-year-old was a player-manager for Kerala Blasters in the inaugural edition of the ISL. He managed his side to the final of the competition but faltered at the last hurdle against ATK. James made 572 appearances in the Premier League and had 170 clean sheets to his name in a career spanning over 26 years. His most prominent spells came at Liverpool and Portsmouth.
Defence
Marco Materazzi
The World Cup winner arrived in Indian in 2014 for Chennaiyin FC and played for them for two seasons. He also managed the Super Machans in the 2015 season and won the league in fine fashion. Though Materazzi did not have a long run in the Premier League with Everton, his long association with the ISL makes him a must in this list.
Mikael Silvestre
The five-time Premier League winner joined Chennaiyin FC for the first edition of the league and made 14 appearances. Silvestre played just one season in India but bringing him to the country was then considered as a big feat. Silvestre also played for Arsenal and Inter Milan in his peak years and has a Champions League medal with the Red Devils.
John Arne Riise
The marauding left back was brought to the ISL by Delhi Dynamos in 2015. Riise played for the Dynamos for one season before opting to sign for Chennaiyin FC. The Norwegian played as a centre back in India and often displayed his rocket of a shot. He is considered as a cult player during his time with Liverpool where he spent seven long years after joining from AS Monaco.
Midfield
Robert Pires
The winger was part of the famous Arsenal "Invincibles" squad and signed for FC Goa as their marquee player in 2014. Though his move did not prove to be a huge success, bringing Pires to India was a big step with the Premier League winner being a huge attraction in pulling crowds for the first season.
Didier Zokora
The defensive midfielder played for Tottenham Hotspur for three years between 2006-2009. He signed for FC Pune City in 2014 and then played for North East United the next two seasons. He was considered as one of the best in his position during his time in the ISL with his robust tackling and timely interceptions helping his side regain control in the midfield.
Elano Blumer
The midfielder played for two seasons with Chennaiyin FC and was a fan favourite. He was one of the most loved players in the league with his free kicks and also topped the charts in best goals scored categories. Elano played for Manchester City during his peak years and always brought his A-game to the ISL. He will be considered as one of the league's best ever imports.
Florent Malouda
A Premier League and Champions League winner with Chelsea, Malouda signed for Delhi Dynamos in 2015. He was one of their best players in the previous season, playing as a second striker. In this lineup, the Frenchman will take up a spot on the right wing with his left foot being considered as one of the best in the business. Malouda had spent six years with the Blues and won numerous honours before his ISL bow.
Freddie Ljungberg
Another star from the Invincibles, Ljungberg's signing for Mumbai City in 2014 created quite a buzz. Though he didn't light up the league with his productivity, his presence brought in a lot of attention to the Mumbai side. Ljungberg spent nine years at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and is currently the assistant manager at VfB Wolfsburg.
Attack
Nicolas Anelka
The Frenchman arrived in India for a solitary season with Mumbai City in 2014 and then became the manager of the Blues in 2015. Though his managerial stint was not a success, Anelka became quite popular in the country. A journeyman, Anelka played for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
Diego Forlan
Signed as Mumbai City's marquee player last season, Forlan repaid the management's trust by scoring five goals in the league phase. The Uruguayan became a huge hit in the country but the same cannot be said for his stint in the Premier League. He struggled with form and injuries during his time with Manchester and managed just 10 goals in his two-year stint.
