ISL 2017/18: Best midfielders of Round 11

The 11th week of ISL 2017 has come to an end and in the 6 games we witnessed, there were some superb performances from various teams.

Mumbai City FC ended their winless run with a thrilling 4-3 win over FC Goa, while there were wins for FC Pune City, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC as well.

Trindade Goncalves

Trindade Goncalves showed nerves of steel converting a match-winning penalty against ATK to keep Jamshedpur FC within touching distance of the top 4.

Trindade impressed with his energy, range of passing while also contributing defensively.

Playing as the most advanced midfielder of a midfield 3 consisting of Memo and Wellington Priori, Trindade has been one of Jamshedpur’s biggest threats recently having scored 3 goals in his last 4 matches.

Overall, the Brazilian midfielder has scored 4 goals, the most by a Jamshedpur FC player so far. The 21-year old has also contributed defensively having made 25 tackles in 12 matches.

Edu Garcia

Garcia, after a lean patch, returned to form assisting Bengaluru FC’s opening goal with a typically accurate corner.

The 27-year-old has contributed 5 assists so far, 2nd most in ISL 2017/18. Edu Garcia, the man who makes Bengaluru FC tick has not got the plaudits his superb performances have deserved.

The Spaniard is the glue which holds Bengaluru FC’s attack together. He dictates Bengaluru FC’s attack with his vision and his ability to drift past challenges effortlessly.

He was once again superb against NorthEast United providing an assist and creating 5 chances, the most by a Bengaluru FC player.

Edu Garcia’s return to form is a big boost for Bengaluru FC’s in their quest to maintain their place in the top 4.

Marcelinho

Though Marcelinho is a forward and has scored many brilliant goals in ISL, the Brazilian makes our team due to his fine performance played as a playmaker against Jamshedpur FC and producing a match-winning performance helping FC Pune City overcome the deficit against Jamshedpur FC with 2 quality assists.

His assist to Alfaro was especially special as he skipped past a challenge with a fancy stepover before providing a precise cutback to Alfaro.

The Brazilian created 6 chances, the most by an FC Pune City player. The 30-year old has now assisted 7 goals, the most by a player in ISL 2017/18.

Everton Santos

Everton Santos once again played a key role in Mumbai City FC’s win over FC Goa. He scored a fortuitous goal with a ball hitting him and finding the back of the net, but there was no fortune involved when he won the penalty for the 2nd goal.

The Brazilian impressed with his work rate and directness with the ball going forward and was a threat throughout the match.

He has contributed 7 goals (3 goals and 4 assists) so far and his speed and willingness to run in behind the defences offer Mumbai City FC a different dimension going forward.

Thiago Santos

Thiago Santos played a starring role in helping Mumbai City FC overcome FC Goa in a thrilling 7 goal encounter.

The Brazilian throughout the match caused problems to the FC Goa defence with his trickery and intelligence. He scored a fine goal reacting quickly and also inadvertently assisted a goal with a fine shot while creating numerous chances throughout the match.

The 22-year old has scored 5 goals so far, among midfielders only Manuel Lanzarote has scored more goals in ISL 2017/18. The winger’s deadly finishing can be highlighted by the fact that he has a goal conversion rate of 42%, the most by a Mumbai City FC player.