Top 5 Indian forwards in 2017

2017 was a landmark year for Indian football in so many ways. The country took part in its first ever football World Cup when it hosted the FIFA U17 World Cup in October.

The senior national team broke into the top 100s in the FIFA world rankings for the first time in 21 years. They also secured qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after a 4–1 victory over Macau in October.

The Men in Blue are currently on an unbeaten streak of 13 matches stretching over a period of 728 days and will end the year on 105th in the FIFA rankings.

As yet another year approaches its end, Sportskeeda takes a look at the best five Indian forwards over the last 12 months.

#5 Udanta Singh

Udanta Singh was a revelation for Bengaluru FC in the last season of the I-League. The 21-year-old forward played a key part for the South Indian outfit and even went on to win the club’s ‘Players’ Player of the Season’ award as well as the ‘Fans’ Player of the Season’.

Playing from the right, he proved to be a serious threat for any defender. Udanta played as many as 29 key passes in the league last season and grabbed two assists. He also scored three goals, an impressive turnout given his playing position and age.

The Tata Football Academy product was among the two players retained by his club for the ISL, alongside Sunil Chhetri. With two assists from seven matches already, Udanta is repaying the faith bestowed upon him.

#4 CK Vineeth

CK Vineeth

Kerala boy CK Vineeth enjoyed a very impressive season with Bengaluru FC in the I-League and AFC Cup this year. In the past couple of years, the forward has been growing from strength to strength. However, last season he took it up by a notch and impressed one and all.

In the league itself, Vineeth scored seven goals and ended the campaign as the top Indian goalscorer. His brace in the finals of the Federation Cup against Mohun Bagan ensured that his team did not finish the season trophyless and also guaranteed an AFC Cup spot.

For the ISL, the 29-year-old forward was retained by the Kerala Blasters, where he has become a fan-favourite in just the opening weeks. After his exploits for Bengaluru FC, there was never really any doubt that he would end the year as one of the top Indian strikers.

#3 Balwant Singh

Balwant Singh

Balwant Singh was a vital cog in the Mohun Bagan team that finished as runners-up behind Aizawl FC in the last season of the I-League. In 16 appearances, the forward went on to score four times and was adjudged the Mohun Bagan's player of the season for his contributions.

However, the greater prize was the return to the national side after coach Stephen Constantine named him in the Indian squad for the Tri-nation series in August. On his return to the Blue Tigers, Balwant scored a couple of significant goals.

Ahead of the 2017-18 season of the ISL, Balwant was picked up by Mumbai City FC in the draft as the joint-costliest Indian striker. So far, he has been very impressive having found the back of the net four times in just six appearances.

#2 Jeje Lalpekhlua

Jeje Lalpekhlua

If last year was a walk in wonderland for Jeje Lalpekhlua, then, this year he flew right over it. Following his impressive performances for Mohun Bagan and the Indian national team, the diminutive forward went in to claim the AIFF Player of the Year award earlier in June.

In the I-League, he helped the Mariners finish as runners-up by scoring five goals from 17 matches. He was influential in the Kolkata-based club’s exploits in the AFC Cup and the Federation Cup. The 26-year-old has also demonstrated his importance to the national side by scoring many significant goals this year.

Turning out for Chennayin FC in this season’s ISL, Jeje has already notched up three goals from seven games. It goes without saying that he has been one of the best Indian forwards this year.

#1 Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri has been the torchbearer of Indian football for a long, long time. And yet again, this year, he finishes as our choice for the best Indian forward.

In the I-League, Chhetri netted seven times in 16 matches to become the highest Indian goalscorer, alongside Vineeth. He also helped Bengaluru FC clinch the Federation Cup and has been an influential figure at the club.

In national colours, the 33-year-old forward has always given his all. He helped maintain the team’s unbeaten run and thereby, secure a berth in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Such is his goal-scoring feats for the Blue Tigers, Chhetri is amongst the top five active international goalscorers at the moment.