It’s barely been a month since Atletico de Kolkata emerged as champions of the Indian Super League and the first game of the I-League season is already around the corner with East Bengal and Aizawl FC set to meet each other on 7 January. With the I-League’s status as the country’s premier first division competition under threat, clubs old and new, seem to be making additional effort to sign the cream of the crop.
With established clubs like Dempo SC and Sporting Goa exiting the league, there are new entrants such as Minerva and Chennai City FC who will look to make their mark on the tournament.
With the possibility of being classified as the second division looming ahead, there has never been a greater need to up their game. While most Indian players who are part of the ISL play in the I-League as well, the owners of the league clubs would have done well to consider signing some of the foreign internationals who participated in the just concluded tournament.
Here’s a list of five ISL players I-League clubs should have signed:
#5 Nicolas Velez
Nicolas Velez was first introduced to the Indian public when he signed for ISL side Northeast United FC in 2015. The 26-year-old proved to be a prolific young forward as he scored five goals in his 14 appearances making him the highest goalscorer for the club that season. In fact, he scored on his debut as he came on in the 82nd minute even though NEU lost to Kerala Blasters that night.
Prior to his arrival in India, he was on contract with Singapore first division club Warriors FC from 2014. During his first season with the S-League club, the Argentine racked up a total of 21 goals in 26 games making him the second highest scorer in the league that campaign. Not only did he help his side win the league title but was named the tournament’s young player of the year.
Velez also signed for Croatian club Hajduk Split in 2016 but was released in June when the arrangement didn’t work out. After another stint at NorthEast United these past few months where he scored three goals, the forward is now a free agent and a good candidate for any of the I-league clubs in search of a frontman.
#4 Ruben Rocha
Anyone who has come through the ranks of the Real Madrid football academy can be considered a quality player and looking at Ruben Rocha’s background, it isn’t hard to see him as a top target for I-League clubs. Even though the Spanish central defender made just 4 appearances for the senior Madrid side, he did serve loan spells at Albacete and Borussia Monchengladbach.
At 34, Rocha still has a few more good years of defending ahead of him. After all, the man has the experience of playing for La Liga clubs like Celta de Vigo, Mallorca, Osasuna and could be a real asset to his future side. His exposure to European football would also come to the aid of his teammates who might be introduced to new techniques and styles of play.
The Spaniard signed for ISL club Delhi Dynamos this season reaching the semi-finals.
With him already accustomed to the Indian clime and style of play, it’s a wonder why he’s not being pursued.
#3 Josu Currais
Josu Currais sent Kerala Blasters fans into a frenzy when they found out the 23-year-old midfielder was from the La Masia academy. Not only had he picked up the basics from there but plied the rest of his youth career with Espanyol. However, things didn’t’ quite work out for him in Catalonia and he moved on to Spanish club Olot. In his very short career, he is only 23-years-old, he has played football in Poland, Italy and Finland before he set his sights on the ISL.
He signed for Kerala Blasters in 2015 and scored a sensational volley in his first match against NorthEast United. His goal endeared him to fans as he continued to amaze them with that famous Spanish technique and playmaking. However, he scored just one goal that season and then another when he played for the Yellow Army this season. He has chalked up quite a few assists while starting for most of his team’s games.
After Josu was released from Willmington Hammerheads he continues to be a free agent just waiting for an I-League club to swoop him up.
#2 Antonio German
Kerala Blasters forward Antonio German picked up his football skills at the youth academy of Queens Park Rangers and even played two seasons of his senior career for the side when they were in the Football League Championship where he scored in his first full start.
The Englishman was sent on loan spells to various clubs in the country before he was released from his contract upon Queens Park’s promotion to the Premier League in 2011.
He spent the next four years playing all over the UK before he signed for the Blasters in 2015. He had an outstanding debut season in the ISL scoring six goals in nine appearances. Thereafter, he signed for Patrick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership but his contract was terminated in April last year for personal reasons. The 25-year-old returned to Kerala Blasters for ISL 3 but is without a team at present.
His hunger for goal and his speed make him a massive threat to any defence and the I-League could have profited from the signing of such a player.
#1 Iain Hume
Iain Hume would, by far, be one of the most ambitious targets of any I-League club but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. The Canadian forward has now played in the ISL in all three seasons and clearly enjoys himself. Playing for both Kerala Blasters (2014) and Atletico de Kolkata, he is the all-time highest scorer of the tournament and the fans seem to love him.
His 7 goals this season wasn’t as high as his tally of 11 in the previous year, but the 33-year-ols has proven time and time again that he has a keen eye for goal.
Progressing through the youth ranks at Tranmere Rovers, Hume played for the senior side before he moved on to Leicester City where he earned himself quite a spot of fame with his total of 33 goals. He played for a smattering of other Championship clubs before he headed for India in 2014.
After his successful outing with the Blasters, he was snapped up by Atletico quickly becoming their most prolific scorer, After making his way into the hearts of Kolkata fans, he would be an ideal selection for either Mohun Bagan or East Bengal.
