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The Hero Indian Super League and Super Cup have ended and we saw Bengaluru FC lift their first ISL trophy and FC Goa, the ISL runners, claim a consolation title. It has been a remarkable campaign with plenty of players breaking through the starting lineup to establish themselves as the best in the league.
Ferran Corominas won the golden boot, having scored 16 times this campaign, whilst Bengaluru FC shot-stopper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu won the golden glove with seven clean sheets throughout the season.
It will be an interesting month for the recruitment teams, who will look to tie these players down to new contracts even as players are hopeful of finding a new adventure elsewhere. It will be a huge blow for the clubs if they struggle to extend the contracts of these star performers.
In this article, we shall look the five players who must be retained by the Indian Super League clubs for the next season.
#5 Modou Sougou (Mumbai City FC):
Moudou Sougou was primarily a winger, but he has been used as the main man up front by the Mumbai City manager Jorge Costa. The Senegalese International did not fail to impress by finding the back of the net on 12 occasions from 16 games this campaign, thereby making himself the top scorer for the Islanders and second highest scorer in the league along with Bartholomew Ogbeche and behind Ferran Corominas.
The 34-year-old has been one of the best players this season and was deadly in front of the goal. Mumbai City and Jorge Costa will be hoping to tie him down to a new contract after having a stupendous campaign. He is held with high esteem at Mumbai following those consistent displays.
Along with the prowess in front of the goal, Sougou also has breakneck pace and strength to hold the ball when required. Sougou was not able to register his name on the score sheet in both the legs of the Indian Super League Semifinals but he has proved his consistency throughout the league campaign.
#4 CK Vineeth (Chennaiyin FC):
CK Vineeth provides a different dimension to Chennaiyin's attack. The attacker is on loan until the end of the season, but there is no news about striking a new permanent deal with Kerala Blasters.
The Indian International has scored just two goals, but he has brought out the best out his fellow attacker Jeje Lalpekhlua, who had a horrid campaign without breaking the duck for multiple games last season. Operating through the right wing, Vineeth provides the much-needed energy and decisiveness in the final third for Chennaiyin FC.
The 30-year-old scored thrice in the Super Cup and Indian Super League and remains a permanent starter until he stays with the two-time champions. John Gregory will desire to extend his contract, but the huge question mark about the potential permanent deal remains in doubt because of the fierce rivalry involved between these two clubs.
#3 Bartholomew Ogbeche (Northeast United FC):
Bartholomew Ogbeche has been one of the best strikers this season. Playing for Northeast United, the club entered the season with nil expectations, but they made a statement by qualifying for the Semifinals, where they were heavily beaten by Bengaluru FC.
The Nigerian International was not part of the second leg of the semifinal due to an injury but was able to score 12 goals throughout the campaign. He was in the mix for the golden boot before Coro built up a lead from the rest in the Semifinals. Ogbeche provides sheer power to maintain possession and be lethal in front of the goal.
Eelco Schattorie will be hopeful to keep him for yet another season as the Highlanders aim to break into the top four yet again. The whole team thrives when Ogbeche wears the armband. Northeast look to build on from last season and he will be vital to their plan.
#2 Miku (Bengaluru FC):
Bengaluru FC striker Miku's second season with the club was hampered with injuries. The Venezuelan was the second leading scorer with 20 goals last season and the Blues had to struggle to keep him at the club for another season because of the salary demands.
Despite playing just 1032 minutes, Miku has scored five times and set up his teammates on four occasions. Without his presence, Bengaluru FC have found it tough to find goals this season, but his precision in the front line cannot be brought into the question.
Besides staying deadly in front of the goal, Miku has several other traits which is useful for the club. By using his strength and staying alive during set pieces, Miku also serves as an aerial threat to the opposition.
It is will take some doing for the club to convince him to stay at the club after tying him down to an one-year contract last term.
#1 Ferran Corominas (FC Goa):
Golden boot winner over the last two seasons, Ferran Corominas has been the best player in the Hero Indian Super League by a huge distance. The Spanish International does not need many chances to put the ball behind the back of the net, having scoring 16 goals in the Hero Indian Super League.
The 35-year-old also led FC Goa to the Hero Super Cup triumph and was part of the side which dismantled Chennaiyin FC 2-1 in the finals. Besides starting the game, he proved his lethal nature in front of the goal by finding the opener to hand a huge chance for Goa to lift their first silverware.
Sergio Lobero has signed a new contract with the club and the coach would hope that his talisman would follow him to stay at Fatorda Stadium for one year at least. FC Goa will do everything to keep the golden boot winner as they are keen to win their first league title.
