ISL 2018-19: Best XI so far from Indian Super League Season 5

In two matchdays of the Indian Super League (ISL) so far, we've already witnessed some exciting goals, scuffles and off-field controversies involving the players and a couple of managers.

Through the first nine days, the teams entertained us with their wonderful performances, leaving the Indian football fans hungry for more. There was better display from the Indian youngsters and the overall quality of the league appears to have improved. The decrease in the number of foreigners per squad has also provided an incentive for upcoming Indian talent to work harder to achieve a spot in the Playing XI of their respective franchises.

Whether it's David James' new moustache or Manuel Lanzarote's fresh jersey colours, the first two matchdays of the ISL 2018-19 has given fans a glimpse of what's in store for the next couple of weeks. While fans are still getting used to seeing manager Steve Coppell (formerly of Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters) at the ATK dugout, they were more welcoming of defender John Johnson (formerly of Bengaluru FC) into the Kolkata squad. Raphael Augusto is yet to find his feet again for Chennaiyin FC but Miku of Bengaluru FC and FC Goa's Ferran Corominas are back to competing against each other for the golden boot award.

FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera is once again letting his team play his famed attacking brand of free-flowing football, while ISL 2017-18 winners Chennaiyin FC are still adjusting to the pressure of defending the title.

Overall, it has been an exciting week and a half of the ISL and now, let us take a look at the best combined XI from the nine matches so far.

(A simple 4-4-2 formation has been used to compile this XI, where the number of foreigners has been restricted to five.)

#1 Goalkeeper

The Indian U-17 goalkeeper had a dream debut in the ISL for Kerala Blasters against ATK. Though he was able to maintain a clean sheet at the end of the game, it's safe to say that he wasn't really tested by the ATK players. However, Dheeraj was at the centre of the action in Kerala Blasters' second ISL game against Mumbai City FC. The team from the Maharashtra capital challenged the might of the 17-year-old, but the young prodigy was able to stand tall at the post. He could have ended the match with another clean sheet to his name but a terrific injury-time strike by Pranjal Bhumij spoiled the party for Kerala Blasters. With six saves in his first two games, Dheeraj Singh takes his spot as the goalkeeper of the Combined XI.

#2 Defenders

Lucian Goian (Mumbai City FC):

The experienced centre-back is clearly one of the best defenders playing in the ISL. Though the rest of the Mumbai City defence setup is far from ideal, with Goian calling the shots, the Islanders have managed to snatch a point in their two games so far. With the kind of whole-hearted dedicated effort that Romanian has put in, he's certainly the best among all the back-fours so far.

Gerson Vieira (ATK):

Gerson made six crucial interceptions in ATK's two matches but it still wasn't enough to stop them from going down in both their games. Gerson showed glimpses of how thick the defensive setup of Steve Coppell's ATK can look in the coming weeks of the ISL season.

Lalruatthara (Kerala Blasters):

Lalruathara was one of the few people to get into the good books of David James when he took over the reigns at Kerala due to his unshakeable work ethic. With his notable contribution to the team in Kerala Blasters's first two games, the 23-year-old has shown that he's one of the best left-backs in the country.

Nishu Kumar (Bengaluru FC):

With 11 tackles in two games, Nishu Kumar has stood out from the rest in the Bengaluru defense setup. He has found himself in our best 4 defenders list primarily due to this better tackling capability and disciplined defense. Not to forget, he even scored a superb volley against Jamshedpur FC last week.

Other honorable mentions - Mohammad Rakip (Kerala Blasters), Tiri (Jamshedpur FC)

#3 Midfielders

Mario Arques (Jamshedpur FC):

The Spanish attacking midfielder has scored one goal and has provided two assists in the first two games. His prolific dribbling skills were on display as Jamshedpur FC went about their business under new coach Cesar Ferrando in the ISL. With 126 passes in twoo matches, Mario Arques is on the top of the list of the best midfielders in the first leg of the ISL 5 season.

Halicharan Narzary (Kerala Blasters):

The India international winger has a goal and an assist to his name for Blasters. Linking up with Seminlen Doungel from the other wing, Narzary was able to use the wide spaces to lead the attack for Kerala Blasters.

Rowllin Borges (NorthEast United FC):

With 129 successful passes in two matches, Rowllin Borges controlled the midfield for NorthEast United, linking up play for the forwards. He comes into our list as the best Indian defensive midfielder so far.

Ahmed Jahouh (FC Goa):

With 141 passes, Ahmed Jahouh was phenomenal for FC Goa. He proved to be a tough nut to crack for the opposition defenders because of his accurate passing and pin-point tackling ability. He was undoubtedly one of the best foreign defensive midfielders in the first nine days.

Other honorable mentions - Edu Bedia (FC Goa), Erik Paartalu (Bengaluru FC), Stavisa Stajanovic (Kerala Blasters)

#4 Forwards

Ferran Corominas (FC Goa):

Three goals in two matches - what more can you expect from Coro, one of the best strikers in the ISL? The golden boot winner last year, he has already got off FC Goa to a great start this season too. If he keeps on going at this rate, he could displace Iain Hume (now with FC Pune City) by the end of the season as the all-time topscorer of the ISL.

Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC):

Who better than Chhetri to take up the mantle as the best Indian striker? He had a goal to his name and could have easily made it 2 against Jamshedpur FC if not for a shot that had hit the post.

Honorable mention - Miku (Bengaluru FC)

Anyone missing from our XI? Let us know in the comments.