ISL 2017: Top 5 midfielders of Round 3

The third week of ISL 2017 has come to an end and in the five games we witnessed, there were some superb performances from various teams.

FC Goa and FC Pune City both recorded wins, Kerala Blasters scored their first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with Mumbai City FC, while Chennaiyin FC continued their dominance over FC Pune City. In the remaining match, Jamshedpur FC played out a goalless draw against ATK.

In this article, we look at 5 midfielders whose performances stood out among the rest!

#5 Everton Santos (Mumbai City FC)

The Mumbai City FC man has been one of the few bright spots going forward for the Islanders. His superb cross for Balwant Singh against the Kerala Blasters helped the Mumbai side salvage a draw against a defence which had not conceded a goal in their first two matches.

The Brazilian has impressed with his work rate and directness with the ball going forward. His impact can be highlighted by the fact that Mumbai City FC have scored four goals and Everton Santos has played a part in three of those goals. The 31-year-old’s eight shots attempted is also the most by a Mumbai City FC player.

#4 Manuel Lanzarote (FC Goa)

?The FC Goa winger was superb against Bengaluru FC, repeatedly finding gaps in the Bengaluru FC backline with his technique and incisive passing. The Spanish playmaker is FC Goa’s chief creator having assisted two goals so far and is also a threat with his shooting, having already scored two goals.

The 33-year old has attempted 10 shots so far, the most by any player in ISL 2017. The former Barcelona B player is also a threat with his set-pieces and has shown early signs of replicating the impact made by former FC Goa player Leo Moura who played a big role in the side's run to the finals in ISL 2015.

#3 Edu Garcia (Bengaluru FC)

While the likes of Miku, Sunil Chhetri and Erik Paartalu shine for the Blues, Edu Garcia, the man who makes Bengaluru FC tick has not the got the plaudits his superb performances have deserved. The Spaniard is the glue which holds Bengaluru FC’s attack together.

He dictates Bengaluru FC’s attack with his vision and his ability to drift past challenges effortlessly. Garcia’s accurate set-pieces have made Erik Paartalu such a big threat on the set pieces. He was once again superb against FC Goa, providing an assist and also displayed his versatility by shifting to a left back position after their goalkeeper received a red card. The 27-year-old has contributed attacking returns in all three matches so far.

#2 Erik Paartalu (Bengaluru FC)

The Australian midfielder once again emerged as the unlikely goal scorer for Bengaluru FC against FC Goa, scoring Bengaluru FC’s second goal with a towering header. He also provided an assist for Miku’s goal with a superb pass.

The lanky defensive midfielder was not only superb in breaking up play but also helped initiate Bengaluru’s attack with his faultless distribution. The 31-year-old is arguably the most dangerous players in set pieces situations in ISL 2017. All of Paartalu’s three goals have come via set pieces, also making him the highest scoring midfielder so far.

#1 Marcinho (NorthEast United FC)

?The NorthEast United FC playmaker was bright in their first two matches and was unsurprisingly the man who broke the deadlock for the Highlanders with a quality finish from a Halicharan Narzary cross against the Delhi Dynamos.

The Brazilian ran the midfield with his touch, vision and quality of passing. Marcinho has impressed with his ability to skip away from opposition challenges and his ability to dictate play. He was arguably the only player blameless for NorthEast United’s underwhelming start. Marcinho’s form is crucial if NorthEast United are to reach their first-ever semifinal in the ISL.