'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos is the biggest star playing in the 2015 Indian Super LeagueIndian football fans are in for a treat this year as they are witnessing a sea of stars in the second edition of the Indian Super League. The stakes are bigger and higher with exciting new, young players making it to the league this season.Each and every team are better prepared this time around bringing skillful, top quality players to wow the Indian audience. Some teams have roped in potential, future stars from the different leagues while others have signed stalwarts of previous years, who excelled at famous clubs across Europe.Many of them will be making their presence felt in what is the fourth-most followed league in the world. With the first round of matches having just finished, we analyze the top five skillful foreign players who will be the Indian fields on fire:
#5 Kalu Uche, FC Pune City
The former Nigerian international was a good attacking option and goalscorer in La Liga for clubs like Almeria, Espanyol and Levante. The 32-year-old had earlier played at the 2010 World Cup for the Super Eagles. He comes on the back of playing in a strong European league and was good for Levante last season as they fought off relegation.
Having scored 5 goals in 16 matches for Levante, he has shown that he still has the ability to excel at this level. He showed the same quality when FC Pune City played a practice match against East Bengal at the Balewadi Stadium few days ago as he finished with a brace.
Uche is known for his strong play, as he uses his physical strength, speed and skill on the ball very well. His ability to hold off strong defenders and get past them with ease is something which he is now known very well for.
Currently 32, he still has some quality football left in him and if things get going for him, he might just prove to be one of the better strikers in the league.
#4 Helder Postiga, Atletico de Kolkata
He has had a great club career, having played for top teams like Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Tottenham Hotspur, Valencia, Lazio and many more.
The former Portuguese International who has played in two World Cups and three Euros has scored fantastic goals throughout his career, but is not just a goalscorer, and is known to be selfless and for bringing his teammates into play. His importance to his team showed as he scored two goals in Atletico’s opening day win over Chennaiyin FC.
He has played with top Portuguese players like Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo and was an important part of their team that reached the finals of the 2004 European Championship Finals.
Atletico de Kolkata would really hope that a top striker like him gets him their second title in a row. He is undoubtedly one of the highest profile players to be playing in this edition of the Indian Super League and he will be looking to bring all of his experience into play for the team from Kolkata.
#3 Gustavo dos Santos, Delhi Dynamos
The Atletico Paranaense forward was possibly the find of the season and the best player for Delhi Dynamos last year. The 21-year-old proved his mettle by singlehandedly taking control of all his team's attacks and finished with 5 goals and 2 assists from 13 games.
Although he doesn't get regular starts for Paranaense, he is always one of the first names on the teamsheet for the capital club. The youngster was on top of his game with his great dribbling and mazy runs and gave a tough time to the best of defenses in the ISL. His elaborate goal celebrations also tickled the funny bone of many fans.
The Brazilian seems to be getting better every year and there are high hopes from him this year too. With his countryman Roberto Carlos being at the helms of things, it would be interesting to see how he uses Dos Santos.
#2 Elano, Chennaiyin FC
The Brazilian midfielder stole the show last season, reminding fans of his prolific play for his country and Manchester City.
Last year, he finished as the ISL’s top goalscorer even though he played as an attacking midfielder and missed many matches due after suffering an injury. As we saw last year, he is a fantastic dead ball finisher and things are looking good for him this year too as he scored a penalty in the opening match against Atletico de Kolkata.
Chennaiyin FC would once again hope for the same type of performances from him, and if he was able to do it last year, there is no reason why he can’t repeat it this season. The Brazilian is working well thanks to the freedom given to him by manager Marco Materazzi.
Given the freedom to express himself, Elano is really the perfect attacking midfielder any team would want. The team from Chennai have really strengthened their team well this year, having signed up the second highest goalscorer of the league, Fikru. They also have brought back John Stiven Mendoza for the second season in a row.
With stakes high this year, fans would be hoping that he once again shows his magic and helps Chennai finish at the top of the table. The playmaker is at the centre of all good things going forward for Chennaiyin and is their most pivotal player.
#1 Roberto Carlos, Delhi Dynamos
There is very little that Roberto Carlos has not accomplished over the course of his long and illustrious career. The veteran Brazilian left-back still remains one of the most entertaining players around and fans will throng to the stadiums to see him play.
His swerving, banana free-kick against France happened before the 1998 World Cup but it is still fresh in the minds of most fans. The prowess he offers at setpieces, the tireless running and the crosses with that left-foot have kept audiences on the edge of their seats for many years now and are all qualities he can use very well in the Indian Super League.
This year, he would be donning the role of manager as well for the Delhi Dynamos. At 41, he might not getting any younger, but his experience and the Brazilian flair that he naturally brings will stand his team in good stead. Also, we are hopeful that he will certainly give us a goal to cherish for the ages, similar to some of the beauties he has scored over the years.
He did make an appearance against FC Goa and would be hoping to build on it going into the remainder of their games.
