Foreign players combined XI in the 2015 Indian Super League

The Hero Indian Super League is just around the corner and the tournament has been a good means of globalizing Indian football while providing an opportunity for the young Indian footballers to display their talents on a bigger stage. However, one of the most exciting things to look out for in the ISL are the foreign players.Last season saw some of world football’s biggest names performing in the ISL like Robert Pires, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet. This season has also attracted some famous foreign footballers who had successful in both the domestic and international circuits. So, here is an XI of the foreign players to look out for.Formation: 4-3-3

#1 Goalkeeper: Apoula Edel

The Cameroonian born Armenian custodian Apoula Edel had a terrific ISL last year. Edel was signed by Atletico de Kolkata and he played nine games for the franchise allowing six goals, thus conceding the least goals among all goalkeepers throughout the entire tournament.

Edel produced a string of fantastic saves in the final, notably blocking a shot from Kerala Blasters’ Iain Hume which was hit with immense power as the Atletico de Kolkata went on to win the final 1-0. However, in this year’s Indian Super League it will be last year’s semi-finalists Chennaiyin FC for whom Edel will be playing for and he will undoubtedly be the undisputed starter in goal for Chennaiyin.

He had plenty of experience in the ISL last year and Chennaiyin will hope he can utilize that experience is his performances this year.

#2 Left Back: Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos has definitely become the greatest footballer to feature in the Indian Super League. Considered to be one of the best left-backs ever, Carlos had a glittering career both at club and international level. He won several titles with Real Madrid including three Champions League titles during eleven seasons with the club and helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup, where he scored a brilliant free kick in a group game against China.

Carlos will be playing for the Delhi Dynamos this season as their marquee player-coach. His experience and presence in defence will lift the Dynamos who finished fifth last season. However, Carlos’ attack-minded game along with his crossing ability and technicality could be a huge bonus for the Delhi franchise. Not to forget, Carlos was one of the best free kick takers of his generation and he still practices his free kicks ‘every day’ as he said at the ISL auction.

With the likes of other notable foreign players like John Arne Riise and Florent Malouda, the Delhi Dynamos could well be a force to be reckoned with.

#3 Centre Back: Carlos Marchena

One of Spain’s finest central defenders, Carlos Marchena will be a very important player for last year’s runners up Kerala Blasters this season. The former Valencia defender played a pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph where he was named in the Team of the Tournament and was also a part of Spain’s World Cup win in 2010.

Marchena will be the marquee player of Kerala Blasters this season and his experience would be pretty handy for a side who will be quite focused in defence after the departure of their captain, goalkeeper David James. With a defence consisting of talented Indian defenders Ramandeep Singh and Sandesh Jhingan, Marchena’s presence at the back along with his enormous experience would be really helpful for Jhingan and Ramandeep not only in the ISL but also for the national team.

His other attributes that make him a crucial player in the Kerala setup include his aggressive approach and ability to play in midfield.

#4 Centre Back: Lucio

The former Brazilian skipper is another notable foreign name that will feature in this year’s Indian Super League. The centre back had a successful career where he played for several top clubs like Inter, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.

He also played 105 matches for Brazil from 2000 to 2011, winning the FIFA World Cup in 2002, where he played every minute of Brazil’s successful campaign, in addition to the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2005 and 2009 where he scored the winner in the final.

Lucio will be playing for FC Goa, coached by the legendary Zico, as their marquee player. His most vital contribution to the team would be to advise the younger players in addition to marshalling their defence. His strength, aerial ability and attacking presence could also be crucial to Goa’s success this season.

The defender will play in his regular centre-back position as he has always excelled in this position throughout his career.

#5 Right Back: John Arne Riise

The Delhi Dynamos have signed several notable foreign names this season which includes Norway’s all-time highest capped player – John Arne Riise. Riise had a successful club career playing seven seasons with Liverpool where he won the Champions League in 2005. He has also represented Norway 110 times, scoring on 16 occasions.

His partnership with the franchise’s marquee player Roberto Carlos would be a crucial asset for Delhi’s defence. With the ability of both Carlos and Riise to provide some attacking style, Delhi could be a well-balanced side and possibly better their fifth-place finish last season.

Riise played predominantly as a left back but Roberto Carlos is the best option for left back in this team by far. And with Marchena and Lucio playing in central defence, Riise will be playing in the right flank, serving as the team’s right back.

#6 Left Midfielder: Simao

Simao (R) will play for Delhi this season

NorthEast United FC had a poor season last year where they ended the league dead last. This year, the franchise is eager to improve on that showing and they have signed 10 foreign players from eight different countries. And undoubtedly the most popular foreign name in that list is former Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa.

Regarded to be one of Portugal’s best wingers, Simao played notably for Benfica and Atletico Madrid in his club career. He also made 85 appearances for Portugal between 1998 and 2010, scoring 22 times and helping the team to the final and semi-finals of Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup respectively.

Simao is NorthEast United’s marquee player this season, replacing former Spanish defender Joan Capdevila. With his ability to attack as well as playing on the left wing, Simao could well be expected to be a key member in NorthEast United’s lineup with his dribbling skills and set pieces being an important asset.

#7 Midfielder: Florent Malouda

The Delhi Dynamos ended fifth last season and are eager to put up a much better show this season which is why they have made a number of famous foreign signings and former France, Lyon and Chelsea winger Florent Malouda is amongst them. The 35-year old Frenchman, who most recently retired after a spell with French club Metz, could be someone to look out for.

The former winger had good stints with Chelsea and Lyon and represented France on 80 occasions scoring 9 times and was a regular in their 2006 World Cup campaign where France were the runners up. Malouda’s biggest attribute is his ability to form good link-ups with the strikers and this coordination would be something the Delhi Dynamos would want to use to the fullest.

With an experienced Simao on the left wing, Malouda will play in central midfield and with former Chelsea and France teammate Nicolas Anelka as the centre forward.

#8 Midfielder: Elano

The 34-year old former Brazilian international made a huge impact on the Indian Super League last season after he netted eight goals in nine games for semi-finalists Chennaiyin FC, thus ending the season as the league’s top scorer. His injury in a league game against Pune FC was one of the key reasons for his inability to shine in the semifinal after topping the table.

Elano will be competing in his second successive ISL as Chennaiyin’s marquee player and will definitely be a player to watch out for as his precise passing and set pieces have frequently fetched him goals as well as set up goals. With one of last season’s star players Fikru Tefera up front, Elano’s presence in midfield will definitely be a key factor in setting up goals for Fikru as well as preventing the goals for the opposition.

Seeing Elano’s footballing career, the central midfield position has always been the position where he has played best and even in this XI he will be functioning as a central midfielder.

#9 Forward: Adrian Mutu

Pune City FC have signed many players who have had a lot of experience in the international circuit and the former Romanian star striker is definitely a key component to Pune’s plans this season. Mutu had a very successful club career in the Serie A where he played most notably for Fiorentina and was regarded to be one of the finest Serie A strikers in his prime.

Mutu is also the joint highest goalscorer for Romania with 35 goals in 77 appearances. He was named the marquee of Pune City FC who finished sixth last season in spite of fielding star players like David Trezeguet and Kostas Katsouranis.

Judging by the current list of foreign players in the Pune City squad, they have been looking for experience. And with a starting lineup including former Nigerian striker Kalu Uche and former Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli, Pune City FC is definitely a very formidable side – at least from an attacking perspective.

#10 Forward: Nicolas Anelka

Former French international Nicolas Anelka will be one of the few foreign players from the first season to play in the second season. However, this season Anelka will be a player cum coach for Mumbai City FC. Anelka has a great deal of experience at club level where he played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus as well as in the international arena where he represented France 69 times scoring 18 goals, playing a pivotal role in France’s triumph in Euro 2000.

The striker arrived late last season and played seven games for the Mumbai franchise, finding the net on two occasions against Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos as Mumbai City ended their season with a disappointing seventh place finish.

Anelka’s technique and shooting ability along with his experience could be a real boost for the Mumbai City side who will definitely be relying on the international experience of Anelka, former Tunisia midfielder Selim Benachour and current Indian captain Sunil Chhetri to turn the tables after a disappointing season in 2014.

#11 Forward: Helder Postiga

Reigning champions Atletico de Kolkata signed a couple of famous names last season including former Spanish international Luis Garcia and former Real Madrid defender Borja Fernandez. The Kolkata-based franchise have signed six foreign players this time, the most notable of them being Portugal striker Helder Postiga who also happens to be their marquee player this season.

Postiga played in several top level clubs including Porto, Sporting Club de Portugal and Valencia and has represented Portugal 71 times scoring 27 goals. His most famous goal, perhaps, being his late equalizer against England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.

He might not be the most prolific of strikers but the amount of international experience he brings in is the biggest among other Atletico de Kolkata players. Iain Hume would most likely be partnering Postiga up front and their partnership could just be the thing Atletico de Kolkata might require to retain their title.

Although Postiga has mainly played in the centre forward position, Nicolas Anelka is the best option for centre forward in this side so Helder Postiga will be functioning as a right forward in this XI.