We are at the midway point of the third season of the Indian Super League and the excitement does not seem to cease. So far 27 matches have been played in the league, in which we have seen a lot of Indian and foreign big names playing. However, there are a few players who often do not get adequately utilized.
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ISL is a very tight league and in the race for supremacy, managers often tend to overlook a few players. There are a lot of players with immense potential and then there are some who have performed earlier. But sometimes with a new coach and new circumstances, they don’t seem to have been utilized fully. Here are five such under-used players from this season of the ISL.
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#1 Antonio German
Kerala Blasters have played seven games so far, in which they have managed to win only two. What’s worse for them is that they have scored just four goals in the tournament so far, which is the second lowest after FC Goa.
The firing inability of Kerala’s forward line is a big head for their coach Steve Coppell and he clearly needs to make a change in the strategy.
He can probably start off by making more use of his forward Antonio German. The former Queens Park Rangers player had a prolific season for Kerala last year where he scored 6 goals in 9 appearances. Kerala quite honestly did not have a great season last year either, finishing last and the only spark they had was this 24-year-old Englishman.
This season, German has made 5 appearances but has played only 297 minutes. Furthermore, he is yet to open his goalscoring account. Not sure what’s in Coppell’s mind, but he must try out his fellow countryman more to bring Kerala back on track.
#2 Sumit Passi
When 22-year-old Sumit Passi joined NorthEast United, a lot of Indian football following population had very high expectations from him.
Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati was the stadium where he made his India debut against Laos and scored his first goal. But this season rarely has he seen the ground, which is the home ground of The Highlanders.
Coach Nelo Vingada has played Passi only for 45 minutes in total this season, and that too in two matches. The coach does not like to tinker with his playing combination, but now that he is marred by a couple of injuries, it would be great if we see Passi play a bit more.
The 18-year-old Chandigarh boy has 12 I-league matches under his belt in which he has scored 3 goals for Sporting Goa. He is one promising Indian talent and we would clearly like to see more of him.
#3 Fulgano Cordoza
Another player who made his International debut alongside Sumit Passi against Laos was Goan center back Fulgano Cordoza. Even he scored a goal on his debut. A vastly experienced defender, Cordoza has played with all of the three Goan giants, Sporting Goa, Salgaocar and Dempo. So his selection to FC Goa was quite natural.
Zico’s team has had a nightmare run this season, sitting last in the points table. They have scored the least number of goals (4) and have conceded the most (11). So the coach clearly needs to do something with his defence.
The Brazilian legend has tried quite a lot of things, and maybe he should try playing Cordoza a bit more. The home-boy has had just three appearances to his name and if given a chance, he would surely prove his worth.
#4 Jackichand Singh
Placed second on the table, Mumbai City FC does not seem to have many woes. With Diego Forlan in the team, who would?
However, Forlan’s fellow teammate Jackichand Singh will not be satisfied with how he is being used by the team. One of last season’s top buys, Manipur’s Jacki had a satisfactory season last year with FC Pune City. In 9 matches, he assisted a couple of goals but managed to score just one.
This season Mumbai signed the India forward who has eight India caps and a goal to his name. His stats aren’t that impressive and Jacki would surely love to improve them. Only if given a chance.
Also read: ISL 2016: Top Five Indian Players of the month
The guy has potential, we all know it. His auction price validated it last season. But he is yet to deliver. In this season of the ISL he has played just 133 minutes in four matches; in which he has just two attempts on goal, but both on target.
With the second leg of the league starting, one would hope the Mumbai coach rotates his options and gives this Indian more chances.
#5 John Arne Riise
Chennaiyin has the most difficult coach to understand, and Marco Materazzi is yet again proving his complex playing calculations by not playing his marquee player John Arne Riise that often. The Liverpool legend has played just four matches this season.
Materazzi clearly has a strategy of rotating his players. He has a list for alternate games. So either it is Mendy who is leading the side or Riise.
Nevertheless, with half the league almost over, John Arne Riise also makes it to the list of underused players. We all know he has goal scoring abilities too and we hope that we would be able to see it soon.
