'%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)
The Indian Super League started with much pomp and fervour with high-profile businessmen, wealthy corporations, a galaxy of internationally recognized names and Bollywood actors all contributing to an eye-catching spectacle.
The razzmatazz drew in huge crowds and the league recorded an average footfall of 24,357, trailing only the Bundesliga, Premier League, and LaLiga.
In a short span of five years, the novelty has slowly worn out and there has been a significant drop in average attendance figures. In the fourth season, average attendance figures dropped to 15,047. Season 5 has witnessed even lower numbers.
One of the reasons, of course, is the league’s inability to draw in the marquee players. Speaking to sports360, Delhi Dynamos FC’s media manager, Shikharr Chandra, acknowledges the absence of marquee players has affected the popularity of the league:
“The club has seen the likes of Del Piero and Roberto Carlos so there’s always an expectation from the fans that we might bring a new big face every year,” he admitted. “It is difficult because we keep getting this query on our social media posts, with fans asking to bring in marquee names.
“From both a media and marketing perspective it becomes really easy if you have a marquee name to sell to sponsors while the general audience are also able to relate to his pictures on the hoardings.”
The league since its inception has consistently reduced its budget reserved for foreign players. That has definitely impacted the quality of the league.
According to a recent report, a number of World Cup players from Uruguay, Iran, Costa Rica, Panama, and Iceland were offered to Indian Super League clubs in season 5. The most notable being Iranian captain Masoud Shojaei. However, none of the clubs took the bait.
The obvious shift in strategy has left fans disillusioned. Even the superstar owners seem to have fallen out of love with the ISL. During the past four seasons, the celebrity owners were very visibly present in the stands, cheering their team on with gusto and passion.
Suddenly their absence is palpable. The ISL organizers need to take cognizance of this worrying trend. An increase in salary cap reserved for foreign players could be a plausible solution. It will help clubs bring in better quality signings and reverse worrying trend of half-empty stadiums.
Ultimately, an overseas player should be better than what is available domestically and able to titillate the fans.
Let’s look at four overseas players who are not as famous as their famous footballing brothers but can surely sprinkle a little of that stardust on the Indian Super League:
#1 Federico Higuain
It not easy being the brother of Gonzalo Higuain but Federico has made a name for himself in the MLS with Columbus Crew. Federico moved to Europe in 2007 but struggled for form in his disappointing 14-match stint with Besiktas in Turkey.
Ever since his move to Columbus Crew in 2012, the diminutive playmaker has averaged close to a goal every three games. Despite the constant comparisons with his younger brother, he does not feel bitter. In 2013, Federico cleared up the confusion:
“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me that people want to talk about Gonzalo all the time. I don’t feel any bitterness. I have the pleasure of doing a job that I love and bearing a name that symbolizes honesty and hard work."
At 34, the elder Higuain is in the autumn of his playing days, but whether or not he would want to move to another club at this point is unclear.
#2 Taulant Xhaka
The Swiss-born Albanian international is the elder brother of Granit Xhaka, who plays for Arsenal and the Switzerland national team. Both boys represented Switzerland at the youth levels.
While Granit chose to represent Switzerland at the senior level, Taulant made his debut for Albania in 2014 and has racked up 22 appearances for them.
Both players started their careers with Basel and Taulant still plays for the Swiss giants. The defensive midfielder has made more than 140 appearances for Basel since 2010 and has won the Swiss Super League on five occasions.
Taulant would be an "unbelievable coup” for any ISL franchise.
#3 McDonald Mariga Wanyama
The former Harambee Stars midfielder, McDonald Mariga is the brother to Kenyan captain and Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama.
Mariga moved to Parma in Italy in 2007 where he stayed until 2010. In 2010, Mariga got a dream move to Inter where he would spend the next 4 seasons. Due to a lack of gametime at the San Siro, the Kenyan international went out on loan, first to Real Sociedad in Spain, then returned to his former club Parma in 2013.
Mariga later joined Real Oviedo from Unione Sportiva Latina, in Serie B. Mariga has made 40 appearances for the Kenyan national team, scoring on five occasions. The 31-year-old with his vast experience would be an attractive acquisition for a number of ISL teams.
#4 Anton Ferdinand
While elder brother, Rio Ferdinand was one of the best defenders for both Manchester United and England, his brother Anton Ferdinand did not enjoy similar success.
Younger of the two, Anton played for the likes of West Ham United, Sunderland, Reading, and Queens Park Rangers. He currently plays for Scottish Premiership club St. Mirren, the eighth club of his career.
Anton made his professional debut for West Ham in 2003. In his entire career, he has lived under the shadow of his famous brother and is still striving to put his own mark on the game. In an interview with the dailymail, he told:
‘It’s been hard. But I like to think I’m not Rio’s brother anymore. I’m Anton Ferdinand, I’ve had a fantastic career in my own right."
People said: “Oh, he’s only in the Premier League because of his brother”. You don’t play 11 straight years in the Premier League if you’re just someone’s brother, you don’t get bought for £8million if you’re someone’s brother. You have to be good enough."
He is hopeful of continuing at the top level for a little while yet. Whether that will be at St.Mirren or not remains to be seen.
