Chhetri, Malouda, Jhingan: 10 Players to Watch Out For This ISL

The Quint takes a look at the ten players to watch out for in the third season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The third season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to begin on 1 October and India is gearing up for another two-and-a-half months of exciting football.

There are many big names in the league, but here are 10 names that we believe that you should definitely look out for this season.

1. Sunil Chhetri

It’s just a formality to write his name in the list. The man needs no introduction. If you have slightest of the idea about Indian football, the only name you would know his Sunil Chhetri.

The former Indian national captain made his ISL debut last season with Mumbai FC and went on to become the first Indian to score a hat trick. Considering the recent form he displayed against Puerto Rico, it seems that he is more than ready to show some fireworks this ISL.

So look out for him this ISL.

2. Florent Malouda

Talking about big names, one cannot just ignore the Frenchman Florent Johan Malouda. He has played 149 matches for Chelsea and scored 35 goals. It could not get better for Delhi supporters as he will don the Delhi Dynamos jersey for the second time. Loyal Chelsea fans remember him as the left winger with incredible power and pace coupled with insane ability to assist.

Malouda did the same last season, when he played 16 matches for the Delhi franchise and assisted on eight occasions. The former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winner is the marquee signing for Delhi this season and will be one exciting player to look out for.

3. Sandesh Jhingan

In the last season, during the auctions, Sandesh Jhingan became the first Indian player to be sold above the 1 crore mark when Kerala Blasters signed him for Rs 1.55 crore.

He was the ‘Emerging player of the year’ in the first season and since then he has got better and better. Even in the last season, he was a standout performer in the Kerala Blasters backline and with this; he also has managed to seal his position in the Indian football team.

Let’s hope he continues his fine form even this year.

4. Helder Postiga

Porto, Tottenham Hotspur and Valencia, do you need more? The marquee player of Atletico Kolkata gives you every reason to root for the West Bengal side.

The last season was a disappointment for him, since he managed to play only one game and had to go back home due to injury.

But the Portuguese gave all of us a glimpse of what he can do by scoring a brace on his Indian debut and this year we can’t wait to see him back in action.

A finalist of the 2004 Euro Cup and having represented his country in two World Cups and three European Championships, Postiga brings to table something that every fan Indian football fan can cherish.

5. Jeje Lalpekhlua

The Indian who has been eclectic since the last ISL is Jeje Lalpekhlua. Often dubbed in the media as ‘the man who just can’t stop scoring’, Jeje has been phenomenal not just with the Indian team, but also with his I League club Mohun Bagan.

In the Federation Cup 2016, Jeje scored 8 goals in 5 appearances while he managed 5 goals in 6 matches for the national team. As for last season of ISL, Jeje had 11 caps for the season 2 champions, Chennaiyin FC, in which he scored 6 goals. With all time record of 10 goals and 4 assists, Jeje is one of the best Indian performers in the ISL.

Let’s hope he continues his form even this season.

6. Iain Hume

If you have followed the first two seasons then you should be familiar with Iain Hume, and if not, then remember the name this season. The 32-year-old Canadian, who plays for Atletico de Kolkata, already has 16 goals to his name, which is the highest so far in the brief history of the tournament.

Long before Leicester City became a household name, Hume, born in Scotland, played 122 matches for the English club between 2005-2008, and netted 33 goals. He became a part of the Indian Super League in the inaugural edition when he donned the Kerala Blasters jersey and it took no time for him to establish himself as one of the most deadly strikers of the league.

He joined Atletico Kolkata in the last season and scored 11 goals, helping them reach the semifinals. Hume, who was the only player to have scored two hat-tricks last season (against Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City) is almost unbeatable with his pace and accuracy.

7. Mandar Rao Dessai

Local boy Mandar Rao Dessai has been the face of FC Goa for the last two seasons. The left winger had his photo in FC Goa banners everywhere last season. But being from Goa, doesn’t alone classify him to be the poster boy. Last season, the 24-year-old left winger had 3 goals to his name and assisted twice.

He might not be a big name in the Indian football circuit, but one should watch out for him, alongside Siam Hanghal, Sanju Pradhan and Satieyasen Sigh as the next breed of footballers who will take over the national team.

8. Cedric Hengbart

Many would not expect his name to be here, but this Frenchman is someone you should look out for in the Kerala defence.

Known as a very adaptive defender, Hengbart was the backbone of NorthEast United’s defence last season. What makes him even more valuable is his ability to carry the ball out from the back and his precise passing. The centre back has a huge experience of playing in French Ligue 1 and he brings to table the necessary guidance needed by young Indian defenders.

This season he is back with the Kerala Blasters.

9. Nicholas Velez

The Argentine is a key striker for NorthEast United. If you appreciate fast, aggressive and offensive game style, then he is the player you should look out for. The all time top scorer for NorthEast United FC was the joint forth highest goal scorer of the league and managed to grab everyone’s eyeball.

So much was his demand that in the pre-season, many clubs tried luring him to their squad, but if reports are to be believed, NorthEast did not just let him go. And hence his hunger for scoring goals has doubled up. Watch out this magician in white this season.

10. Rehenesh TP

Very rarely we find goalkeepers making it to the ‘watch out’ list. The 23-year-old NorthEast United happens to be the rare player, who has been retained by the club in all the three years.

And rightly so, he has produced some brilliant saves over the seasons. Despite having bigger names in the team, Rehenesh managed to be the first choice keeper in the team and regardless of the fact that the team has signed veteran goalkeeper, Subrata Paul, he is still expected to make it to the starting XI.