ISL 2018-19: 5 Key Players for Bengaluru FC This Season

#3 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Goalkeeper)

Gurpreet Singh was in the Golden Glove race last season [Image: ISL]

When Bengaluru lost Amrinder Singh to the ISL Draft, they lacked a quality goalkeeper. That's when they quietly went about securing the services of Gurpreet Singh who was looking for a club to play regular football ahead of the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019.

Suddenly the Blues looked a much stronger squad and the move paid off with Gurpreet commanding the box and aerial duels.

It wasn't the perfect season with the goalkeeper beaten on clever free-kicks and even penalties while a red card early in the season saw the Blues lose to Goa away from home.

However, the 6 ft 6 in goalkeeper soon pulled up his socks and finished the campaign with the most clean sheets in the league (7). In 19 matches, Gurpreet faced 63 shots on target and conceded only 17 goals, making 46 saves and 115 catches in all.

One of his greatest strengths was also his play-making skills (yes, you read that right). Gurpreet often launched the ball up-field for Sunil Chhetri to latch on to.

"That's something I do because I feel that is the right choice so we can surprise the opposition. I do it even with the national team too. Chhetri bhai and I have that understanding. It's not to do with tactics or coaching - it's something we have been working on." - Gurpreet

The club's skipper always made the right runs to beat the offside trap and Gurpreet had a telepathic connection with him and almost always found him with ease after bypassing every player on the pitch.