ISL 2018-19: Power rankings from the Indian Super League

It has been 34 matches into the fifth season of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the spectators have already witnessed what the competition has to offer. There have been both surprises and disappointments in the season so far.

From the goal rains of FC Goa to the horrible run of current champions Chennaiyin FC, who are near the bottom of the ISL standings, the league has had it all. There have been a few controversies as well, particularly when it comes to refereeing.

While some teams and players have been seriously troubled by these errors, others have carried on without complaints. Big names like Tim Cahill being part of ISL have grabbed headlines but the new prospects like Komal Thatal, Sahal Abdul Samad and Michael Soosairaj haven't disappointed.

The ISL is now in its second international break, a much-needed one for the players. And before the league resumes, let's take a look at Sportskeeda’s Power Rankings (Player Ratings) for the month of November.

ALSO READ: Best XI from November

#10 Federico Gallego (NorthEast United)

Federico Gallego is the first NorthEast United player on the list. The Uruguayan has been playing a perfect second striker with the Highlanders.

Gallego is a key driving force for NEUFC and has played a part in most of their goals. Out of the 10 goals the club has scored, Gallego’s presence was felt in 6 goals - 2 direct and 4 assists.

He has been a regular for NEUFC too - spending 533 minutes on the field over six games. An attacking midfielder making 15 tackles is an impressive stat, the coach can be proud of.

He is one of those high-profile players who joined the ISL after a season with Liverpool Futbol Club in Uruguay in 2017.

The 28-year old is having a golden run in his debut season in India and is sharing a great rapport with Bartholomew Ogbeche.

Based on the number of matches played and contributions made, Gallego deserves to be tenth-best on the list.

Sportskeeda Rating - 27.1

#9 Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters)

Sandesh Jhingan is, without doubt, Kerala Blasters’ most valuable player of the season - as usual.

The stalwart has remained at his best, even when the team is struggling without wins. The stopper-back hailing from Punjab is setting an example to numerous young legs at the Kerala Blasters camp.

In an otherwise shaky defence of Kerala Blasters, Jhingan has stood out - making 21 tackles, 9 interceptions and 8 blocks. The 50 clearances this 25-year-old has made so far proves how crucial he is in helping Kerala Blasters evade the danger from the opposition.

Jhingan has been a consistent performer, leading the team from front. With coach David James opting for lesser number of foreign players in the lineup, the responsibility understandably goes to the centre-back. And Jhingan has risen to the occasion, making full use of his five-year experience at the club and delivering whenever the team needs him.

Sportskeeda Rating - 27.4

#8 Rowllin Borges (NorthEast United)

Rowllin Borges was the malfunctioning part of NorthEast United in the previous season. The young midfielder, who has been with the Highlanders since 2016, forgot his basic duties on the field last edition, which was evident from the club’s position on the table.

However, Borges is back to his good old days - making tackles, winning possession and opening up chances for his team.

The Goa-born Borges has played 6 matches this season and has not been substituted so far.

With 2 goals already, he is on the run to be the most effective Indian midfielder of the season. The 1 assist at a passing accuracy of 83.9% indicates the crucial role Borges plays. He has done his work at the defensive midfield department, making 23 tackles.

Rowllin Borges has just developed into a sensational midfield maestro every club wants at their camp. The 26-year-old has played a crucial role in NorthEast United’s resurgence in the ISL.

Sportskeeda Rating - 28.1

#7 Bartholomew Ogbeche (NorthEast United)

A good start to the season from the Highlanders have got their third player, a spot in the top performers' list. Bartholomew Ogbeche was the kind of striker, NorthEast United was always looking for. Finally after receiving his services at front, NorthEast have made one of their best commencements ever in the league.

Having featured for the team in all of the six matches they have played, Ogbeche has got past the custodians six times this season. With just the first phase of the season coming to an end, the Nigeria-born forward has already broken the record of most goals by a player for NEUFC in a single season.

Whenever Rowllin Borges and Federico Gallego have provided him with accurate passes, Ogbeche has ensured he converts most of those opportunities. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward will be hoping to continue his good efforts with the club. Ogbeche has shut the haters on his decision to move to India with performances solely. If NorthEast United can keep going with their plans, making lesser errors, players like Ogbeche can play very relevant roles. The performances from the striker both in October and November has earned him a fair rating.

Sportskeeda Rating - 28.8

#6 Sergio Cidoncha (Jamshedpur FC)

Sergio Cidoncha has been a top class performer for the Men of Steel right from the start. Playing as an attacking midfielder, the Spain-born midfielder combines well with the forward line of Tim Chaill, Gaurav Mukhi and Farukh Choudhary to see his team in the top four of the ISL. Cidoncha’s ability to move into the striker position whenever the situation demands it makes him a favourite of the manager - Cesar Ferrando.

The 28-year-old has appeared in all seven matches for Jamshedpur FC and has scored three goals, along with making way to another three goals. Cidoncha has tested opposition goalkeepers with 15 shots in seven matches. A fact why this player becomes handy for the team is the commendable trait of rushing back to regain possession for his side. The Atletico Madrid youth product has completed 24 tackles for his team - a rare number for a player present solely in the attack.

Altogether, Sergio Cidoncha has not disappointed and will have a greater role when the teams get back on the field after the international break.

Sportskeeda Rating - 29.2

#5 Edu Bedia (FC Goa)

Edu Bedia has completely transformed as a player this season for FC Goa. From the role of a silent gun in the midfield, he has promoted himself to a goal-scoring playmaker. The Spaniard has been assigned roles at the central midfield and he has executed them well. In no match has Bedia looked far away from form, which has helped the team seal a place at the top of the table too.

Bedia has played 6 matches for Goa this season, where he has struck four goals and provided two assists. While contributing to the attack, the midfielder has not forgotten his defensive duties as well, making 14 tackles.

In the 2017-18 season, the former Barcelona B player was the man behind most key passes and attacks for the Gaurs. Throughout the season, he had accumulated just 1 goal. But just 6 matches into the 2018-19 season, he has scored far more and at the same time remained intact with his passing. Bedia has completed 415 passes at an accuracy rate of 85%, impressive numbers in the ISL.

Thus, he is placed fifth in the November ratings.

Sportskeeda Rating - 29.6

#4 Michael Soosairaj (Jamshedpur FC)

Jamshedpur FC's Michael Soosairaj has been this ISL’s most eye-catching youngster, who is hitting his targets match after match. The former Chennai City player, after consistently performing well in the I-League, had been waiting for an ISL call for some time.

When he received the opportunity from Jamshedpur FC, a lot was expected from the young man, which undoubtedly would have added some pressure on him. But he has answered well with performances alone.

The 24-year-old has played six matches this season and has scored three goals, including a brace against FC Goa. An interesting fact is that Soosairaj has taken just 12 shots throughout the season, which includes the three goals. His incredible goal-conversion rate is an icing on the cake. Not just pacy runs through the wings, the young gun has shone in the defensive part too, with a total of 21 tackles.

Through his impressive outing for JFC, Soosairaj is closing in on a national team call-up.

Sportskeeda Rating - 29.8

#3 Lucian Goian (Mumbai City FC)

Lucian Goian has been an absolute human rock at the back for Mumbai City in the last 3 seasons. The 35-year-old veteran has become a challenge to every forward in the league. Fast young legs or a bag full of experience never matters, Goian has always managed to keep them under control.

These performances have bought him every minute on the field this season in the seven matches that Mumbai City have played. Lucian Goian has already won 32 tackles and made 7 interceptions, 54 clearances and 16 blocks. Unlike other defenders, this Romanian has managed to keep up the good work in all the defensive stages from tackles to blocks.

He is tied with his teammate, Paulo Machado at the second position for the most tackles this season. Taking away the danger has been something the player has been doing exceptionally well and the club would certainly want him to keep up the good work in the coming days.

Sportskeeda Rating - 32.0

#2 Tiri (Jamshedpur FC)

Tiri is a name not many would have expected at the top of this list. But Jamshedpur FC’s trustworthy stopper-back has never let the team down in any matches. Tiri has taken up the role of a ‘silent guardian’ in front of the goal, not getting much off-the-field attention. However, stats prove how worthy he has been for the Jamshedpur franchise.

From the 7 matches he has been on the field, the Spaniard has netted once. Talking about his core duties, Tiri has been outperforming the competitors well, with 16 tackles and 13 interceptions. The 62 clearances that the centre-back has made shows the role he is playing at the club for Cesar Ferrando. The 27-year-old has not been bad in extending the balls to his co-players, with 337 passes at an accuracy rate of 84 per cent.

Tiri has been impressive and is one of the best performing defenders in the season so far. The captain is setting a good example for the Red Miners.

Sportskeeda Rating - 36.1

#1 Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)

There are no second thoughts on who the best performer of the league has been so far. Ferran Corominas of FC Goa has been doing what every football team wants a striker to do - score goals.

The Spaniard, continuing his good form for the Gaurs, shows no signs of giving away the ‘Golden Boot’ award.

Coro has played 6 matches for FC Goa this season and has struck eight times already. What makes Coro different from other strikers is the number of assists he has provided - 4, which is currently the highest in the league.

To score goals and to make others score is a quality very few possess.

The arrival of players like Coro has made the gameplay of the ISL richer. As of now, the 35-year-old is making golden finishes for his club and is expected to keep doing the same, breaking more records in the league.

Ferran Coro is undisputedly the best player of the month and holds the best rating too.

Sportskeeda Rating - 39.9

ISL 2018-19: Power rankings from the Indian Super League - November