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The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season 5 has crossed its first month successfully, offering splendid treats to the football crowd of the country.
The first phase had some surprises in its box, most benefits to the competing clubs. A few players were standout performers while some other disappointed.
Players who were just above par in the previous seasons caught attention with the very first games. Some foreign players who were brought with high-hypes disappointed on the Indian soil, when the low-value deals turned to gold for the teams.
Though its too early to make a judgement of the overall performances, the players who were least expected to turn key for the clubs can be handpicked. Here are such few names who are the surprise packages of ISL this season.
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#5 Slavisa Stojanovic (Kerala Blasters FC)
Kerala Blasters FC is a team who had struggled for goals last season. Signing as a striker for such a team will naturally fetch a lot of pressure. But it has to be admitted that Kerala Blasters' fresh Serbian import has dealt with the pressure decently.
Stojanovic made a move to Kerala Blaster FC from Serbian club Radnicki Nis, where he scored 10 goals from 31 matches.
At Blasters, the 29-year old had the task of developing a good combination with his partner in attack - Matej Poplatnik. However, the duo has not disappointed and was seen framing a few dangerous attacks which will further develop in the days to come.
His versatility has helped David James rotate the players as he can be deployed as a striker, centre-forward or in the midfield.
Stojanovic came into the league not known by many but has already struck twice for the club, including one in the opening match. The same services can be expected to be continued throughout the league, for the Tuskers.
#4 Gerson Vieira (ATK)
Gerson Fraga Vieira is not a new name at ISL. The Brazilian centre-back first played the league for Mumbai City FC in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. It was ahead of this season, that Gerson made a move to the Kolkata franchise.
The 26-year old was part of a very strong defence on paper before the season began. The ATK squad already had the likes of two other foreign players who had proved their worth in ISL - John Johnson and Andre Bikey.
However, Bikey got injured before the start of the season, which gave Gerson a spot. He justified the decision with consistent performance at the back along with John Johnson.
Though ATK has lost three of their outings so far, the stopper cannot be blamed completely. Even on matches when the club failed, the defence was to a certain limit intact and compact.
Opponents were forced to change tactics as the Gerson-Johnson combination managed to intercept and clear the attempted through balls.
The former Atenas player has so far made 52 massive clearances for his side, along with 13 tackles and 9 interceptions.
Gerson Vieira has not disappointed in the early stages of this season and is finding a better run than the one in Blue colours.
#3 Federico Gallego (NorthEast United FC)
Federico Gallego was the final foreign name in Eelco Schattorie squad for the 2018-19 season of Hero Indian Super League.
For a club like NorthEast United FC, without a single semi-final qualification in the four years, to pick a player playing outside his continent for the first time was a gamble. Like fortune favors the brave, Gallego is favoring the Highlanders.
Federico Gallego is a midifielder hailing from Uruguay who wears the shirts of an attacking-mid for the Highlanders. It would have been certainly too much pressure on the 28-year old as he had the whole duties of controlling the play at the centre.
Numbers prove that he has won the challenge. From the five matches, Gallego has scored two goals and assisted in four matches.
At times, when assigned at the left wing, he gave in twelve crosses. The Uruguayan has supported well in defence too, with thirteen tackles and four interceptions.
Gallego is now the active engine running for NorthEast United FC, which they lacked in the previous seasons. He certainly has played his part taking his team to the top of the table.
#2 Bartholomew Ogbeche (NorthEast United FC)
The crosses and passes that are delivered up front by Federico Gallego had to be converted for NorthEast United to win the matches. This job has been carried out well by one and only Bartholomew Ogbeche.
Goals have always stayed away from the Highlanders. In all the four seasons, NorthEast United FC has stayed at the bottom three in total goals scored by clubs.
This clearly outlines the lack of a clinical striker they required. This has been fixed this season through Ogbeche.
The Nigerian has scored six out of the 10 goals his team has scored this season and is tied with Ferran Coro in the race for most goals.
A key point is that the Nigerian forward's goal contributions have come at the right point when the team required.
The 34-year old made a move to India from the Netherlands league. Ogbeche possesses vast experience including stints with PSG, which has been a great benefit for NorthEast United FC.
However, a veteran making his debut in Indian soil was doubtful to be effective, but he has now shut his critics with performances alone.
#1 Jackichand Singh (FC Goa)
Jackichand Singh is a name not many expect here. FC Goa is the Indian winger's fourth Indian Super League club after FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC and lastly Kerala Blasters FC.
Kerala Blasters FC had been a memorable time for Jackichand after he scored two goals and provided three assists.
However, his move to the Goan club was a surprise to many, as they already had the services of Mandar Rao Desai and Hugo Boumous to occupy the wings.
When his spot in the XI remained doubtful, he came up with glorious performances to seal his spot in the midfield.
The 26-year old's ability to adapt to both the wings makes him a favourite in Sergio Lobera's plans.
From the five matches Jackichand Singh has appeared so far, he pulled off two goals and paved way for another one. The Manipur-born managed to test the opposite custodian on 12 occasions along with 14 crosses into the box.
When the competing clubs were prepared for names like Edu Bedia and Ferran Coro to fire, Jackichand Singh was a name least expected.
As the unexpected becomes hotter, Jackichand has been firing from the best places to cause the maximum damage.
