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The introduction of the Indian Super League (ISL) has undoubtedly been a boost to the game of football, that once had no road ahead in the country. All of a sudden, people in India have found the same level of enthusiasm and following they have for the various European leagues.
The players have got a lot more time on the field alongside quality players, and the national team has come up with impressive performances. A lot of promising talents have been identified and nurtured to compete with foreign players.
Since the quality of football and fandom has seen a rapid rise, the values of the players involved too have seen a significant upturn. A few legends of the game have started being recognised internationally, and their market values are finally starting to justify their talent.
Here, we have a look at the ten highest valued Indian footballers in the world today.
(All player values from transfermarkt)
#10 Rahul Bheke - €225K
Bengaluru FC defender Rahul Bheke is the tenth highest valued Indian footballer with a price tag of 225K Euros. The 29-year-old began his career with Mahindra United FC in Mumbai and went on to represent numerous clubs in the city like Air India, Mumbai Tigers and Mumbai FC.
Bheke then joined Kolkata giants East Bengal before representing Kerala Blasters in the ISL. After a season with Pune City and East Bengal, he joined Bengaluru FC in what has been the defining move of his career.
He soon became a first-choice at BFC and scored the winner to lift the club's first-ever ISL title in the 2018/19 season. His impressive stint with Carles Cuadrat's side earned him a national team debut last year.
Bheke has played 77 ISL matches and 10 national team games, and is one of the finest defenders in the country currently.
#9 Brandon Fernandes - €225K
Brandon Fernandes' market value has seen a significant rise over the last year. The midfielder shot into fame when he was sent on a developmental stint to South African club ASD Cape Town.
On returning, Brandon joined Sporting Club de Goa before setting off on a journey across Mumbai City, Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers. The 25-year-old's career received a huge boost when he joined FC Goa in 2017. He became an integral part of the club, appearing in 15 games in the very first season.
In the next two seasons, he played 35 games, scored five goals and provided eleven assists on his way to become India's prime midfielder. Brandon boasts of the ability to dictate the game from the centre of the park, a skill highly valued by national team gaffer Igor Stimac.
At present, he has 7 international caps and 52 ISL games under his belt.
#8 Nishu Kumar - €225K
Nishu Kumar is another defender from the Bengaluru FC camp, highly valued for his abilities at the back. The AIFF Elite Academy product joined BFC in 2015 and has been an ever-present figure in the backline.
Starting as a young fullback with no prior league experience, Nishu soon evolved into a ball-playing defender, always willing to put his body on the line. The 22-year-old represented the nation at the U19 and U23 age categories, but had to wait for a long time for a senior national team cap.
The Uttar Pradesh-born defender finally got his nod during India's last fixture, against Oman in November. Nishu has earned himself a glowing reputation with his 45 ISL matches for Bengaluru FC, and a lot more can be expected in national colours in the future.
#7 Mandar Rao Desai - €250K
Another Indian fullback who has been consistently impressing in the ISL is FC Goa skipper Mandar Rao Desai. The 28-year-old rose through the Dempo youth side before joining Goa for the inaugural season of the ISL.
Though he had a short loan stint with Bengaluru FC, it was prior to the Blues' ISL debut. Mandar has represented FC Goa in 97 ISL matches and is the most capped player in the league.
The Goan-born who started as a left-winger has successfully transitioned to a left-back, and has all his 5 international caps in the backline.
#6 Amrinder Singh - €250K
Amrinder Singh began his senior career with Pune FC in 2011 and made a move to the ISL when he joined ATK on loan in 2015. He then represented Bengaluru FC in the I-League for two seasons before a return to the ISL with Mumbai City.
He has been with Mumbai City since 2016 and has represented the club in 59 games across four seasons. With a save percentage of 68 and strong leadership traits, Amrinder has turned into one of the best custodians in Indian football.
The 26-year-old has made remarkable progress as a keeper and a captain, justified by the armband entrusted on him by the Islanders. Still, Amrinder is second-choice in the national team and has only 4 international appearances to his name.
#5 Udanta Singh - €250K
Udanta Singh is yet another Indian international from the Bengaluru FC setup, grabbing praise from all across the country. The winger, who was a part of the Tata Football Academy, was secured by BFC in 2014, at the age of 17.
His only professional move out of Bengaluru was a single-game appearance for Mumbai City in the 2016 season of the ISL. Udanta has been well guided by Sunil Chhetri and has remained a favourite of all the managers who have been in charge of the club.
At the age of 23, the Manipur-born has 26 international appearances and 58 ISL games, and certainly has a long road ahead both for club and country.
#4 Ashique Kuruniyan - €250K
Ashique Kuruniyan has reached a decent market value for an Indian player, at the age of 22. The winger, who was first scouted by ISL club Pune City, had a loan stint with Spanish club Villareal C in 2016.
On returning, he joined the Pune City senior team and played two seasons before the club was disbanded last year. The Kerala-born then signed for Bengaluru FC and has been a regular presence on the flank for Carles Cuadrat.
Ashique made his international debut in 2018 and has played 11 matches so far. Even though he has endured goal droughts, the winger's potential is undoubtedly very high.
#3 Dheeraj Singh - €250K
It might be surprising to see a 19-year-old with no senior international cap valued so high in the transfer market. Dheeraj Singh, India's U17 FIFA World Cup hero, spent a season with developmental side Indian Arrows before joining Kerala Blasters in the ISL.
Under then-head coach David James, the young custodian garnered some valuable experience and playing time, appearing in 13 games. Dheeraj signed for ATK the following season but could feature in only a single match as Arindam Bhattacharya produced stellar performances between the sticks.
The AIFF Elite Academy product was part of the Indian senior team that faced Oman and Afghanistan in the World Cup Qualifiers last year.
The Manipur-born had numerous offers from foreign clubs previously but failed to enter into a contract due to work permit complications. Despite not playing much recently, Dheeraj is still a highly valued star teenager.
#2 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - €300K
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's heroics between the sticks for India and Bengaluru FC is nothing new to Indian football fans. The 28-year-old has taken his side out of trouble single-handedly on numerous occasions.
The custodian began his professional career with East Bengal, moved to Norwegian club Stabaek in 2014, and soon became the first Indian player to feature in a UEFA Europa League match. He returned to India and joined Bengaluru FC in 2017, and has featured in 70 games for the club so far.
The Punjab-born keeper has won two consecutive Golden Glove Awards in the ISL, and is without a doubt the first choice for the national team. His overseas stint and splendid ISL outings have seen his market value rise to a very respectable number.
#1 Sunil Chhetri - €300K
There is no doubt as to who will top the chart as long as Sunil Chhetri is still playing the game. Though the national team skipper has faced a slight drop in value, he is second to none in the country.
Chhetri, with 115 caps and 72 goals for the country, is the second-highest active goal scorer in international football. The striker, who started out with Mohun Bagan, has represented numerous clubs around the country in his 18-year-old club career.
During the period, he had overseas stints in America and Portugal, but has looked the best at home. The 35-year-old has been with Bengaluru FC since 2013 and has featured in 159 games for the Blues.
Even without age on his side, Chhetri has been a regular contributor of goals and assists at both club and international level, and is rightly valued the highest in the country.
