ISL 2019 | Best XI from the 1st Gameweek

Goalkeeper

Sandesh Jhingan- Perhaps the most consistent player in the five years of ISL, Jhingan deserves at least one title only for the sheer determination and leadership that he displays from the back line. He is not a no-nonsense defender who excels at clearing the lines at every instance but is also a creator whose measured balls from the back can catch the opponent off-guard at any time. Having fast forwards up front, Blasters have often been seen making their skipper the source of attack through long balls. Apart from that, Jhingan’s brilliant reading of the game and ability to keep the backline organized at all time is also commendable. 

Mato Grgic - It took NorthEast United five seasons, but they finally seem to have sorted out the position that has been a thorn in their side for years – central defence. And in the centre of it stands the Croatian newcomer. Elco Schattorie has brought two Croatian centre-halves, with the other one being Mislav Komorski, but it is the older one that is making the difference. NEUFC had conceded a whopping 27 goals last season, which was one of the major reasons for their downfall, and the way they have started this season (conceding 2 goals in 2 games) looks like progress. Schattorie’s slow build-up play has also been seemingly successful because the gaffer can rely blindly on his centre-half.

Midfielder

Ahmed Jahouh - Pretty much like the quintessential old day English defender, this Moroccan thrives on his ruffian attitude and aggressive tackles. A match where Jahouh won’t get a booking is no match at all. While sophistication is not something that can be attributed to Jahouh, ISL has proved itself more susceptible to rigorous plays anyway. Specializing in winning the ball high up the field and providing those through balls on the counter to the forwards making the run inside the box, Jahouh is a player every team needs. How else would you justify him being a regular in Sergio Lobera’s Spanish ball.

Edu Bedia- After we are done with the players who could destruct and dismantle opponents’ structure, let’s look at the ones who could create things up front. Bedia wasn’t a part of Goa’s line-up in the first match with Lobera looking to experiment things against a presumably weak NorthEast side in the first match of the season. And although Goa managed to score twice, they didn’t really win the ball high up in the field and eventually failed to kill the game. However, their second game against Chennaiyin FC saw the playmaker in the No. 10 position and the magic unlocked. Deft with both his feet, the player can create goals and score with equal perfection. 

Holicharan Narzary- If Jerry has insane speed on the flanks, in Narzary we have a more mature and versatile winger who could run up and down the flanks and cut inside as and when needed. While we could see his talent only in figments last season with the Highlanders, his role in the side seems to have been more defined under David James’ Kerala Blasters. With a false no. 9 ahead of him in Matej Poplatnik, Narzary is a very important player for Blasters, who could either provide the crucial passes in the final third or himself take up the scoring role if and when he deems fit. He already has a goal in two games so far.

Ferran Corominas- Gone are the days of Ian Hume and Fikru Teferra whose persistence of winning the ball high up the field used to win teams matches. With as many as five Spanish managers in charge of the clubs in ISL, it is no more unnoticeable that the style of the league has changed. From the Sunday league football traits, the league has come into a more composed and controlled passing gameplay where a strategy is put into place for every pre-determined situation. Hence, the likes of Coro are making their ways in. Brilliant finishing, controlled dribbling, and falling deep to create chances are some of the traits of these strikers and Coro excels in all of them.

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