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Foreigners play a crucial role in an Indian club’s successThe standard of the I-League enhances due to the presence of the foreign players who ply their trade with several clubs in India. Sometimes, there are mixed opinions regarding allowing foreign players to play in the I-League as they supposedly create a hindrance for the young Indian players to grow.In my opinion, the presence of foreign recruits improves the standard of football in the I-League. The Indian players too can improve themselves by playing alongside quality foreigners. As it is, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is strict regarding allowing just four foreigners per club in the league.Many quality international players have played in various I-League clubs in the past. They have done fairly well and they always play a crucial role in their team’s success. None can deny the fact that in the present circumstances a club’s success depends on its foreign player selection.We have listed the top 5 foreign recruits in Hero I-league this season.
#1 Darko Nikac - Pune FC
Darko Nikac joined Pune FC last month as their marquee player for I-League 2014/15 season. He came from Montenegrian club Buducnost Podgorica. The 24-year-old forward is a member of the Montenegro national football team, who rank 65th in the world right now.
Understandably, Darko is player of great capability compared to Indian football standard. He lived up to expectations right from his very first game for Pune FC. He scored his maiden goal against Bengaluru FC in his team’s 3-1 victory and then scored in the next two games.
Nikac is already proving to be a great buy for Karim Bencherifa’s side and undoubtedly one of the most high profile buys of this year’s I-League.
#2 Sony Norde - Mohun Bagan
The Haitian international striker joined Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan from Dhaka’s Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi this season. He grabbed the attention of the Mohun Bagan officials last season when he visited Kolkata to play in the IFA shield. The club finished runners-up in the tournament but defeated both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
Norde played an important role in his club’s double triumph over the Kolkata giants. The 25-year-old forward joined Mohun Bagan before the Hero Federation Cup and played well in the tournament despite his team’s failure to qualify for the semi-finals. From the very first match in the I-League, Sony Norde has been performing well and has played a talismanic role in his team’s performance.
He might not have scored goals till now, but he is playing brilliantly. Mohun Bagan fans can trust Sony Norde who has the capability of guiding his team to glory single-handedly.
#3 Dudu Omagbemi - East Bengal
Dudu Omagbemi is not an unknown face in the Indian football scenario. He started his football career in India at Sporting Clube de Goa. After plying his trade with Dempo SC and Salgaocar he went abroad.
After 9 long years, Dudu Omagbemi came back to India and joined Salgaocar in the latter half of the season. East Bengal was successful in roping in the Nigerian forward this season from Salgaocar to pair up with Ranti Martins up front.
Dudu helped his side clinch the Calcutta Football League title for the record 35th time and did fairly well in the Federation Cup. He has so far scored one goal in three games for East Bengal and is undoubtedly one of the best foreign recruits in the I-League this season.
#4 Ranti Martins - East Bengal
Ranti Martins joined East Bengal from United Sports Club this season. He has a rich history behind his name in Indian football.
The four-time golden boot winner in I-League is without a doubt one of the best foreign recruits in the I-League 2014/15. Ranti has done fairly well so far for his team and also has three goals to his name in the Hero I-League.
He is a clinical finisher and, on his day, he can change the colour of a game single-handedly. Partnering with Dudu has made him much more dangerous than before. East Bengal fans can trust the Nigerian’s goal scoring ability to get them out of a jam when needed.
#5 Douhou Pierre - Salgaocar FC
A highly underrated foreign player in Indian football, who has performed consistently well for quite a few seasons now, Douhou Pierre came to India in 2007 to join Mahindra United FC. After that stint, he spent five years with Pune FC before joining Salgaocar FC this season.
He has been simply outstanding for his team so far and guided his team to the Goa Pro League title and a Durand Cup triumph. He was one of the best players in the Hero Federation Cup as well. He is most important player in the team who covers almost the entire field and also creates goal-scoring opportunities for the strikers.
Being an attacking midfielder, the Ivory Coast midfielder also possesses the ability to score goals.
