ISL 2017: Top 5 defenders from week 1

#5 Jose Julio Goncalves

Jose Goncalves

Playing his first ever game on Indian soil, Jose Julio was sturdy and miserly at the back for NorthEast United against Jamshedpur. Not one to ponder on the ball, the Portuguese did not give the opposition an inch in the final third.

You could argue Julio could have played out the ball rather than simply clearing it but given the fact that this was the first match of the season, he was in no mood to take any kind of risks. Ultimately this approach paid dividends. NEUFC are a side notorious for slacking off. He ensured it didn't happen with a solid performance.