'%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)
We are halfway through the 2018-19 I-League season and it has been a roller coaster ride for all the teams. While Chennai City FC has by far been the best team of the league so far, debutants Real Kashmir FC being the surprise package, while the big guns Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have failed to make a big impact in the context of the championship race.
The teams have spent huge in the build-up to the season with big foreign recruits adding to the glamour of the I-League. Some of them have fared well so far, while others have not. Overall, there have been a few foreigners who have exceeded everyone’s expectations and delivered for their respective teams in the competition.
Let us have a look at the top 5 foreigners from the I-League so far:
#5 Borja Gomez Perez (East Bengal)
After playing more than 10 years in Europe, Borja finally moved abroad early this year. Spending big in the transfer market this season, East Bengal roped in the defender to strengthen their back line with 2018 World Cupper Johnny Acosta already un the squad. So far, the foreigner has lived up to the expectations.
The Spanish stopper has been a wall in the East Bengal defence from the start of the season. The former LaLiga star has been the saviour for the Kolkata giants at the defence with Johnny Acosta playing the supporting role. Solidly built for the trade, the management is being rewarded with the returns of their investment.
In was mainly due to the consistent defending from Borja that East Bengal edged past arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in an enthralling Kolkata derby earlier this month. East Bengal has managed to collect 16 points from 9 matches so far and is currently at the 4th spot in the league table.
#4 Eduardo Ferreira (NEROCA FC)
The Brazilian defender played a season for Mohun Bagan, but he was not retained. Neighbours East Bengal roped in Eduardo for the next season. Although he had a decent stay at the Kolkata based club, he was overlooked the season after. NEROCA FC roped in the stopper from East Bengal along with veteran Katsumi Yusa.
Little would they have known that the Brazilian would have such a big impact for the North-Eastern club. Eduardo has played a pivotal role at the heart of the defence along with Varney Kallon. They have managed to keep 4 clean sheets so far. Apart from his defensive duties, the Brazilian scores vital goals for his team quite often.
Eduardo scored the opening goal in their 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan in their last fixture. Having made a slow start to the season, the runners-up from the last season have now won four out of their last five matches, they are now placed at the third position in the league table.
#3 Mason Robertson (Real Kashmir FC)
Real Kashmir FC created history by becoming the first team from the region to play in the I-League. The performance has also been pretty impressive from the ‘snow leopards’. Scottish manager David Robertson has done fine work with the unit and his son Mason has been at the peak of the things.
After a shaky start to the season, Real Kashmir FC has been playing exceptionally well in the past few matches. But one of the striking features in their campaign has been tight defending, with Mason Robertson being the most prominent figure. The former Peterhead player has been one of the emerging players in the league so far.
Recruited by his father ahead of the season, Mason has been rock solid in the defence and has even scored a goal. He has the tendency of moving up and helping the midfielders, which is often quite helpful. Real Kashmir will their next match against Mohun Bagan on January 6 next year.
#2 Nestor Gordillo (Chennai City FC)
Chennai City FC has been the most talked about team in the entire I-League, they have taken the league by storm with an exciting brand of football. Nestor Gordillo was one of the reasons for the outcome, the Spanish footballer has had an impact from the first day of the competition.
Apart from scoring four goals in the ongoing I-League, he has provided many assists for the strikers which makes him such a lethal player. The trio of Nestor, Pedro Manzi and Sandro Rodriguez has been a nightmare for any team, together they have scored 11 goals out of the 16 the team has amassed.
The attacking midfielder will play an integral part in the remainder of the campaign if Chennai City FC re-creates an Aizawl FC-like triumph at the end of the season. With 18 points from 9 matches, the team from South India is at the 2nd position in the points table at present, just behind Real Kashmir. However, they trail only on goal difference and have a game in hand.
Chennai City FC now has a string of home matches starting from December 29 against Shillong Lajong FC.
#1 Willis Plaza (Churchill Brothers FC)
When East Bengal roped in the Trinidadian International in January 2017, he was a regular in a squad for the next 12 months, but he was overlooked by the management and was released in January 2018. His stint with Mohammedan Sporting Club was too short, Willis Plaza finally landed in Goa to re-establish himself with his new club Churchill Brothers FC, the team which was on the verge of relegation!
The two-time I-League champions started their campaign with 3 draws, following which they scripted two consecutive victories mainly due to the brilliance of Willis Plaza who scored a hat-trick against Shillong Lajong FC and a brace in the away fixture to Mohun Bagan. A team which was not expected to give a punch for the championship race has started to dream big, all because of Willis Plaza.
The striker has so far converted 8 times in 9 matches, he is currently the top goal scorer in the ongoing I-League by quite some distance. Although a couple of losses have de-railed their title aspirations to some extents, as long as Willis Plaza is in their squad, Churchill Brothers will hope for a turnaround.
