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The Indian Super League has turned out to be one of the most attended leagues in the world. A star-studded line up fielded by the franchises, added with glitz and glamour off the field, the league has been a showpiece event for Indian football. Rules were such that every team had to field or sign a marquee player, who had to be approved as a marquee by the ISL committee.
A lot has been said and written about the quality of foreign players that come to play in the ISL. The general argument for the foreign players has been that most of the foreign players come to India when they are past their prime, and have little to offer on the pitch, except for a few swift moves.
The Italian legend Del Piero is the best example of this. The Italian Legend came to India after turning 40 and had a miserable ISL season one, during which, questions about his fitness and selection were raised.
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A lot has also been said and written about the ISL being a closed league with no scope for promotion or relegation.
In this article we take a look at five star players, who played in the ISL and then went on to play for different clubs and got relegated. Indian Players have been kept out of this list.
Daniele Magliocchetti (FC Pune City 2014)
This Italian Centre back was hand picked by Italian coach Franco Colomba and played 8 games for FC Pune City during the 2014 ISL season and also had an assist to his name. The 6-feet-tall 31-year-old defender is an AS Roma youth product, and had made appearance for teams like Hellas Verona.
After the 2014 ISL in which Pune finished 6th out of 8 teams, Daniele went back to Italy to play for SF Averesa Normanna a third division club playing in the Liga Pro in Italy, but by the time the season ended the club was already relegated to the Serie D (4th division).
Youness Bengelloun (FC Goa 2014)
Youness Bengelloun was picked up by FC Goa from the international ISL Draft. He played a big part in Zico’s plans, as he partnered with Gregory Arnolin in defence during the whole season for FC Goa. Goa had a memorable first season as they reached the semi finals, only to be beaten by ATK on penalties.
The FC Goa's defence was one of the toughest defences to break during the ISL. After the ISL Youness went on to play for the Belgian side White Star Bruxelles FC, who played in the 2nd division in Belgium, and after the season ended, the side was relegated to the third division of Belgian football.
Jermaine Pennant ( FC Pune City 2014)
The former Liverpool winger was one of the star attractions of ISL 2014. Known for his speed and skill, he was dubbed as one of the players to watch out for, but except for a few instances, Pennant's stint in India was not a memorable one. Pune failed to meet their expectations and Jermaine Pennant's performance too was below par.
After the 2014 ISL season Jermain Pennant joined Championship side Wigan Athletic during the winter transfer window, but the move, just like his summer move, was not one that him or his fans would remember, as Wigan were relegated to League One (the third tier of English football). Pennant left Wigan after they were relegated, and joined Singapore side Tampines Rovers.
Joan Capdevila (North East United FC 2014)
Capdevila was one of the eight marquee players of the first season after he was signed by North East United FC during the 2014 season. Being a world cup winner, fans had huge expectations from Capdevila. But alas, neither did he perform as per expectations nor did NEUFC show much results, as they finished bottom of the ISL table. Questions were asked about Capdevila's selection as a marquee player, as he barely played a full 90 mins game during the season.
After his disastrous ISL campaign, Capdevila went on to play for Lierse SK, who played in the Belgian First Division, but the change of teams didn't alter Capdevila's fortunes, as his team Lierse SK were relegated to the second division of the Belgian League from the First Division.
Iain Hume (Kerala Blasters)
Iain Hume is one player whose inclusion on this list is bound to shock a lot of people, but Hume has not been relegated once, but twice after ISL stints.
In terms of ISL, Ian Hume is the most successful player in the team's history, being the top goal scorer. He is an ISL champion with ATK, and also the ISL’s player of the tournament award winner.
After his successful ISL 2014 campaign, Hume went on to play for Tranmere Rovers, who play in the League two (4th tier) in England. After the league season ended, it became a season to forget for Hume, as the Tranmere Rovers were relegated to League three (5th tier) in England.
After the 2015 season of the ISL, where Hume played for ATK, he went to play for Spanish side SD Ponferradina, who used to play in the Segunda Devision (2nd tier) in Spain, but again after the season ended, Ponferradina were relegated to the Segunda Divison B, which is the third tier of Spanish football.
