ISL 2017: Top 5 retained foreigners this season

The forthcoming edition of Indian Super League is all set to kick-start its latest edition in grand as defending champions Atletico de Kolkata will look to keep the domination over their arch-rivals Kerala Blasters.

Indian Super League will feature this time with a more expanded schedule when compared with the previous time. A fair, good schedule will help ISL perform better this time. The winners will be awarded a spot in the AFC Cup this season, signalling the compactness of the latest edition.

With two more teams added to the roster, Indian Super League have grown bigger and better. The need for a competitive team has become must for the participants and it indeed has resulted in the recruitment of comparatively good squads this time.

The teams have already completed their signings. While some of ISL's proven players will feature in different teams, a few have been retained by their respective squads.

Let's have a look at the top 5 retained players of ISL 2017-18.

#5 Juanan

The Spanish central defender is new to the ISL but has been with the new entrants Bengaluru FC for a while.

Juanan is one of the vital members of Albert Roca's team and his performance at the back has had a great impact on Bengaluru FC so far. The 30-year-old defender has experience of playing for Real Madrid B, CD Leganes, Deportivo B.

The player guarded Bengaluru FC defence since 2016 and was part of Federation Cup winning squad. The RCD Mallorca product is well-known for his consistency at the back and has featured in 15 games for the new entrants into the ISL, Bengaluru FC.

Juanan's pairing with John Johnson, another retained, will do bring brunt in the play of the team from the Garden City.

#4 Gerson Vieira

Image result for gerson vieira football — Gerson

The Brazilian central defender hailing from Porto Alegre was one of the rational defenders of the previous edition. The 24-year-old Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense product stood stern at the defence for Mumbai City FC.

Gerson played an integral part for the Diego Forlan captained teamed. A defender blessed with quick pace and has the ability to do blistering attacks, Gerson Vieira was an undeniable presence.

Vieria featured in 14 games for Mumbai and scored during one instance. He will certainly look to continue his performance the previous year and aims at edge past their last year's performance.

#3 Raphael Augusto

The midfielder hailing from Rio de Janeiro orchestrated Chennaiyin FC's play since the second edition. A product of renowned Fluminense Football Club, the 26-year-old Brazilian dominated the play for Chennaiyin at the centre of the pitch.

A persistent threat to the defenders, Augusto displayed fantastically at the wings for Chennaiyin FC. A player who is blessed with an athletic body and have contains the nature of Brazilian attackers, Raphael Augusto ranks amongst one of the coveted players for the ISL clubs.

Augusti has made 25 appearances for the Marina Machans and has good stats in attack. A typical peril upfront, Augusto could dominate the game for Chennaiyin again and will be a key factor in their revived squad assigned to reclaim the lost glory

#2 Jonatan Lucca

Another Brazilian in the list, Jonatan Lucca is among the best midfielders of the ISL in its 3-year history. The 23-year-old AS Roma academy product has plied his trade for FC Goa in the second edition but was signed by Pune City in the recent edition.

Although a genuine defensive midfielder, Jonatan commanded the game for the stallions in the recent edition. The insatiable approach of this young midfielder indeed makes him the best midfielder in business and has given him the duty to orchestrate Pune City Fc's Midfield.

The former AS Roma player featured in 30 games in ISL, of which 14 were for Pune. Jonatan also has scored 3 goals, signalling his attacking intent. Along with the likes of Diego Carlos, Jonathan will be the linchpin of Pune City.

#1 Lucian Goian

Image result for lucian goian — Lucian Goian

An obvious selection, the Romanian defender Lucian Goian roots among the best retained. The 34-year-old former Perth Glory player was a towering presence for Mumbai City FC.

An innate central defender, Goian has some serious attacking skill and ability to pierce past the defences. Goian featured in every single game for Mumbai City FC and has scored during one instance.

A regular threat for the attackers, Goian's tackling ability, aerial ability stands high among the players of Indian Super League. A firm and tenacious presence at the back, Lucian Goian had helped Mumbai City empower and enhance their attack which was found to be the lethal-st among the attacks.

Lucian Goian alongside Gerson Vieira had wardened the defence for Mumbai and it is certain that will continue unless Mumbai City opts for Marcio Rosario in place of Gerson.

Edited by Abhijit Bharali