5 most represented foreign nations in Indian Super League

Helder Postiga is one of the 4 Portuguese players in the ISL

The Indian Super League contains a very good mix of foreign players, many of them players who have achieved a great deal in their careers playing in Europe.What makes the league unique is the close interaction between foreign and Indian players and the mentoring role that many stars from abroad have taken up to help the Indian players.The chance to learn from and play with such experienced and talented teammates is something that can only do good for the young Indian players and the hope is that this will aid in their development.What having many foreign players also does is that it establishes different cultures and philosophies of playing football across different teams and thus exposes the Indian players to different systems they can observe and learn from.Here, we look at 5 foreign countries that contribute the most number of players to the ISL:

#5 Portugal

Helder Postiga is one of the 4 Portuguese players in the ISL

While the Portuguese national side may not among the best in the world, there is no doubt that players from the Iberian peninsula have individual quality which sets them apart.

4 Portuguese players are plying their trade in the ISL this year. Northeast United have 2 of them in Simao Sabrosa and Silas. Both these midfielders haven’t yet made their mark this season, but they’ll be itching to get their team out of the bottom half.

Simao will be hoping some of his global playing experience helps his teammates who are in dire need of some inspiration. The former Barcelona player hasn’t had the chance to show what he is capable off and we won’t be surprised if he helps his team dig out of bottom place using his set piece and dribbling skills.

Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters have one Portuguese player each in their squad, with Helder Postiga having already made his mark for the former, as he scored two goals in the ISL season opener in 2015 to give his team a 3-2 win over Chennaiyin FC.

#4 France

Frenchman Florent Malouda is the most important player for Delhi Dynamos

A mini French revolution seems to have hit the Indian shores this season. France accounts for 7 players in this seasons ISL.

Mumbai City FC have 2 Frenchmen in their squad – coach and player Nicolas Anelka and Frederic Piquionne. The latter has looked really good for them so far as he not only takes good positions in the box midfielders options to release the ball into open spaces.

North East United also has 2 French players in their lineup in defender Cedric Hengbart and goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano, both who moved to the team from the Southern teams, the former from Kerala Blasters and the latter from Chennaiyin FC.

Delhi Dynamos worked hard during the offseason and it has been seen in their results on the pitch so far. One of their most important signings was Frenchman Florent Malouda, whose experience has helped Delhi work well as a unit and string together 3 wins out of their 4 matches.

Chennaiyin FC also have probably the most flamboyant player in the ISL, who is also a crowd favourite. Bernard Mendy has played in a variety of positions for them and remains one of their main players. He is famous for having scored what was probably the goal of the tournament last season, when he converted an acrobatic overhead kick.

#3 England

Peter Ramage leads the English delegation at Kerala Blasters

Peter Taylor’s Kerala Blasters come to mind here. Last year’s finalists have 5 Englishmen in their squad. Clearly, Taylor has a certain brand of football that he wants his team to play.

While the southern outfit may not be the most attractive to watch, they play some tough football and make it physically tough for their opponents, which makes for an intriguing watch.

The ISL has 10 English players, out of which Pune have four. Head coach David Platt has made good use of his connections and has brought in English players, with the likes of Nicky Shorey and Roger Johnson part of the team.

Delhi Dynamos have one English player in their squad but he could prove to be the most important one – West Bromwich forward Adil Nabi who is playing on loan for them and was Albion’s Young Player of the Year last season.

#2 Spain

Atletico de Kolkata have an understandably high number of Spanish players

The presence of players from the Iberian region brings a sense of calm to the ISL. The league has 15 Spanish players with Atletico de Kolkata leading all teams with 6.

With the 2014 La Liga champions Atletico Madrid as their partner and co-owner, the Kolkata franchise have taken some talented Spaniards and strengthened their squad, with the likes of Jaime Gavilan and Borja Fernandez part of the team.

Atletico’s midfield has a Spanish trio who add some much needed composure and control to their team’s passing game. Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters have 3 Spaniards each in their squad, with Josu for Kerala having been quite influential so far.

Spain will in all likelihood continue to churn out bucket loads of footballing talent and the number of players who ply their trade in the ISL will only increase in the future.

#1 Brazil

The FC Goa team is dominated by Brazilian players, as is pretty easy to understand

The South American nation has 17 players (including Andre Moritz who has now left Mumbai City FC) who ply their trade in the Indian Super League. Goa’s Brazilian coach, Zico has taken advantage of his Samba connect and has 6 players from his home nation playing for Goa.

You can really gauge the playing styles of the ISL teams by looking at the nationality of international players on each side. By now, every football enthusiast must have realized that Zico likes playing an attractive brand of football. Naturally, he’s added some Brazilian flair to his team keeping this in mind.

With Roberto Carlos at the helm of Delhi Dynamos, it’s no surprise that the former Real Madrid legend has three of his countrymen with him, including talented winger Gustavo Dos Santos, who was retained this season.

Somewhat astonishingly, Chennaiyin FC have 5 Brazilians in their squad. Coach Marco Materazzi, despite being a central defender for Italy during his prime, clearly believes that he needs trickery and flair to aim high and go for glory this season.

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Edited by Staff Editor