ISL 2018/19: Best XI of the week

With the Indian Super League in full swing, we are witnessing an edge of the seat experience in each of the fixtures. While a few teams have been winning on regular occasions, others have faltered. There have been a few surprising results and there have been matches which went down to the wire. With still a lot to play for, the rest of the season promises to be an enthralling one.

In spite of that, we have seen a few standout performances from the Indian players as well as from the foreign recruits. There have been exceptional goals, mind-blowing saves, inch-perfect assists and breath-taking tackles.

Bartholomew Ogbeche was the most talked about player in the opening rounds of the fixture and is continuing his good form. Sunil Chhetri and Miku hogged the limelight for Bengaluru FC during their matches while Ferran Corominas proved his worth for FC Goa. ATK's midfielder Manuel Lanzarote has been working hard for them while Sandesh Jhingan is a stalwart at the defence for Kerala Blasters FC.

As things stand now, North East United FC are at the top of the standings with a total of 11 points from 5 matches while FC Goa is behind by a single point. Meanwhile, teams like Channaiyin FC, Dynamos FC have struggled to get a foothold in the ongoing season.

Formation (4-4-2)

Let us have at the best ISL XI from the last week:

(This represents Sportskeeda's Best XI from the game between Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC played on Oct 23 until the Jamshedpur FC vs Kerala Blasters game on Oct 29)

#1 Goalkeeper

Francisco Dorronsoro (Delhi Dynamos)

Although Delhi Dynamos FC is yet to win a single match in the ongoing Indian Super League, there have been a few outstanding performers for them.

Their shot-stopper, Francisco Dorronsoro, is one of them. The Spaniard has the maximum saves to his name in the ISL with 16. Francisco was roped in by the Delhi based franchise prior to the season, thus ending his two-year stint with Spanish club Lorca FC.

#2 Defenders

Pritam Kotal (Delhi Dynamos)

The side-back has been impressive in whichever team he has played over the years. Delhi Dynamos FC’s captain is an experienced player and has given everything so far as per his individual capabilities. But he is yet to inspire his team to a victory in the ongoing Indian Super League. Delhi Dynamos FC will face Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, November 4.

Jerry Lalrinzuala (Chennaiyin FC)

The left-back from Mizoram has been a live wire for Chennaiyin FC in the flanks. He has played in each of the five games for his and has done a pretty good job. Apart from producing 9 crosses in the season so far, he has a convincing pass accuracy with a 71.37% conversion rate.

Gerson Vieira (ATK)

The Brazilian centre-back has been a wall for ATK in the defence. His excellent clearances at crucial moments were more than handy for the Kolkata based team so far in the Indian Super League. Gerson has been playing sensational football from the first match itself, but unfortunately, ATK lost the first two encounters.

But they came back well from the match against Delhi Dynamos FC and since then ATK has secured 7 points from the last three matches. Gerson Vieira has been the commander in chief at the back. He was even the initiator of the attack which led to ATK’s opening goal against Chennaiyin FC in the last game.

John Johnson (ATK)

The English defender has been playing in the Indian football circuit for the past five years and has established himself as one of the best in his trade. After a transfer to ATK from Bengaluru FC prior to the season, everyone was eager to see how he fares with his new team.

#3 Central Midfielders

Manuel Lanzarote (ATK)

The Spanish playmaker has been the lifeline for ATK in the midfield. His crafty football and precise passes up front were influential in ATK’s recent run of good form. So far, he has scored a goal and made two assists for the Steve Coppell led side. He is the main supplier of the ball to the forwards and will play a huge part if ATK hopes to lift the Indian Super League trophy for the third time.

Edu Bedia (FC Goa)

The former La Liga player has hit the correct tones till now, he has been a vital cog for FC Goa in the midfield. Although he has played only three matches, the foreigner has proved his worth by scoring a couple of goals. Apart from that, he is the main architect for FC Goa in the midfield, with a passing accuracy of more than 82%.

#4 Attacking midfielders/wingers

Seiminlen Doungel (Kerala Blasters)

The winger has been the surprise package in the season so far for Kerala Blasters FC. During their last match, hosts Jamshedpur FC was leading by 2-0 till the 70th minute. Seiminlen made two energetic runs down the left and set up two goals for Stojanovic and CK Vineeth to secure a point from the vital away fixture.

The two assists were inch-perfect and the strikers only had to tap the ball in the direction of the target. The winger is very fast with the ball and has a good passing ability which makes him very lethal in the attacking half.

Jackichand Singh (FC Goa)

The winger from Manipur has undoubtedly been one of the best Indian players in the ongoing season. So far, he has played 4 matches and scored 2 goals along with an assist for FC Goa. Jackichand scored the second goal against Pune City FC in their last fixture on Sunday.

#5 Strikers

Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)

Ferran Corominas has continued from where's he's left in the last season. The Spanish forward has set the Indian Super League on fire with his explosive attacking play. So far, he had scored six goals from four matches and is the joint to scooter along with North East United FC's Bar the Bartholomew Ogbeche. He definitely won't be making the Best XI next week as he was sent off in the game against FC Pune City and will miss the next two fixtures for Goa.

CK Vineeth (Kerala Blasters)

CK Vineeth had been a ‘fox in the box’ for Kerala Blasters FC. With his unique goal-scoring abilities, the forward has come to his team's rescue on several occasions. During the ISL opener this season, he played a vital role in the midfield.

It was after his introduction into the game that Kerala got an added boost in the attacking half and finally shifted a couple's of goals which sealed the match in their favour.

The formation (4-4-2)

Edited by Shruti Sadbhav