ISL 2018-19: 5 Foreign Players that clubs should have retained

The 2018-19 edition of the Indian Super League is just around the corner, and all the ten participating teams are into their last lap of preparations for the season. This season like the previous season will see the teams field a maximum of five foreign players in the starting XI.

This season the overall spending on players has been capped at 17.5 crore which is lower than the 18 crore limit the clubs had last season.

The ISL franchises have still not yet managed to get their core foreign players fixed for a couple of seasons. Every year we see a host of new foreigners making their way into the league and host of players departing from the club at the end of the season.

If the ISL teams want stability on and off the field, then some continuity must be present in the club set up. In this article, we take a look at five foreign players that should have been retained by their respective franchise.

*please note the teams mentioned within the bracket is the player's old team or the team that should have retained them.

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#5 John Johnson (Bengaluru FC); New Team- ATK

The English defender was crucial to Bengaluru's success last season

John Johnson and Bengaluru FC seemed to be a match made in heaven, with the Englishman being with the Blues from their very first season in Indian football. John Johnson had a huge role to play in ensuring that Bengaluru won 2 I-League trophies, federations cup, the Super Cup and also helped the team make an AFC Cup final appearance.

The English defender was instrumental in BFC's success last season and has been a natural leader for Bengaluru club, leading the team from the back.

John Johnson played 18 games last season and kept seven clean sheets, a stat which is pretty decent keeping in mind the structure and schedule of the ISL.

The 30-year old defender made 12 interceptions, 86 clearances and 23 blocks for BFC last season, and was one of the best defenders for BFC throughout their short history. This season John Johnson will ply his trade for ATK.

#4 Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur FC); New Team- ATK

Bikey was a physical presence in the middle of the park for Jamshedpur last season

ISL 2018-19 will be Andre Bikey's third season in the ISL, and this season Bikey will be playing for his third different franchise in the tournament. Bikey started his ISL journey with the 'Highlanders' of Northeast. Last season the defender played for Jamshedpur FC and was vital for the TATA group-owned franchise.

Andre Bikey has always been a favourite of Steve Coppel, and the British gaffer made sure Bikey signed for ATK this season. Last year Jamshedpur had one of the best defences, and they conceded very few goals. A lot of that was due to the presence of Andre Bikey and Tiri in defence.

The Cameroonian played 15 games for Jamshedpur last season and kept six clean sheets. He made 25 tackles, 11 interceptions, 60 clearances and 12 blocks throughout the campaign.

Bikey also has a knack of scoring a few goals and would have been vital for Jamshedpur if he had been retained. Jamshedpur's loss is ATK's gain.

#3 Rene Mihelic (Chennaiyin FC); New Team- Delhi Dynamos

The classy winger was crucial during Chennaiyin's title win

Rene Mihelic is an ISL Champion and has been a crucial member of the ISL wining Chennaiyin FC last season. The Slovenian was a menace for the opposition defenders down the right flank. His silky moves and quick feet were a treat to watch for football lovers, and Chennaiyin fans are sure to miss him this season.

Rene had most of the set-piece duties last season and is known as a dead-ball specialist. The Slovenian was also one of the highest rated players of the season with him averaging a decent 8.0 rating per game.

Mihelic played 14 games for Chennaiyin last season scoring two goals. He also had four assists to his name last season. The midfielder was more crucial during the build-up play that Chennaiyin had rather than scoring.

He also did his defensive duties very well and made 15 tackles and seven blocks during the ISL campaign last season.

#2 Kalu Uche (Delhi Dynamos); New Team- ATK

Uche scored 13 goals in just 15 appearances last year

Kalu Uche will be playing his third ISL season and this year will be representing his third ISL franchise ATK, after having played for FC Pune City and Delhi Dynamos previously. Kalu is also one of those players who needs no introduction as fans are well versed with his achievements in Spain.

The Nigerian superstar was probably the only positive for Delhi Dynamos in an otherwise poor campaign. Last season Kalu Uche played just 15 games for Delhi Dynamos scoring 13 goals and also had two assists to his name.

The Nigerian had the best goals per game ratio last season and was also the player who had the highest average match rating with a rating of 8.64.

His goal conversion rate is also nearly 50% which is one of the highest in the league and Delhi are sure to miss the Nigerian striker up front this season.

#1 Manuel Lanzarote (FC Goa); New Team- ATK

The Spaniard was the creative force in Goa's midfield

Lanzarote and Corro set the league on fire last season with their telepathic communication and link up play. Both of them scored a bunch of goals and Lanzarote also set up a lot of goals as his six assists show.

The Spanish winger also scored 13 goals which is a very high figure given he is predominantly a midfielder. Lanzarote had the second highest average match rating with an 8.62 average match rating per game. FC Goa is sure to miss his creativity in the middle of the park this season.

The left winger also made nearly a thousand passes last season, and that helped Goa keep possession of the ball, and that will be one aspect which Sergio Lobera will miss out on this season. This season Lanzarote will pair up with Kalu Uche in ATK, and that could be a joy to watch.