Top 5 Defenders in the ISL

The Indian Super League has reached a stage where all the teams are left with only a single match to play in the league stage. The top two teams in the table right have already qualified for the semi-finals while the last two slots are nothing but a mathematical magnet of probabilities, permutations and combinations. Some teams have their destiny in their own hands while others will depend on results going their way.The league has seen a lot of attacking football with 112 goals in just 52 matches; which means that defending has not been easy. Even though it’s been extremely hard to keep clean sheets, some defenders have impressed a lot in the past two months.We take a look at the five of the hardest and the most consistent workers in the back line. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not reflect those of the website.

#5 Josemi - Atletico de Kolkata

The former Liverpool man has stabilized Antonio Habas’ side at the back, albeit with an overall dip in form in the recent games. The Sourav Ganguly co-owned side has been breathtaking to watch when they have been on their stride.

They have only had a single win in their last nine matches which is predominantly down to attacking failures. Even then, the east Indian outfit sit third with 18 points after conceding the fewest number of goals in the ISL.

Josemi has combined well with Arnab Mondal to keep it tight at the back and restrict dangerous attacks to a minimum. Any team with high aspirations cannot go on with substandard players and produce regular results and this is why a consistently attacking side like Atletico de Kolkata would be in a hopeless situation had they not acquired the services of Josemi.

#4 Youness Bengelloun - FC Goa

Another Frenchman in the list is Gregory’s partner in the back line: Younnus Bengalloun of FC Goa. The former CSKA Sofia defender and Arnolin have complemented each other well whenever they have played together.

Zico, after calling his Brazillian backroom staff to assist him, has seen a complete turnover in his team’s fortune. After initial doubts, Goa picked up a 4-1 victory in Delhi which was their turning point and Bengelloun scored two of the most crucial goals in that game which epitomises the importance of his overall contribution.

Zico’s side have conceded only two goals in their last seven games and the Brazillian coach only has his backline to thank. Scoring two goals and providing one assist in 11 games for a consistently performing defender has been an extraordinary bonus for the league’s in-form side.

The Brazillian gaffer seems to have inculcated the basics right and players like Bengelloun have responded well.

#3 Bernard Mendy - Chennayin FC

Chennayin FC’s success story under Marco Materazzi has been backed up by a strong and an organized defence. The man who made headlines in the early stages of the tournament was Bernard Mendy; when he acrobatically scored against the Kerala Blasters.

He has been a rock-solid presence playing as a full back position. He is an important source of attacking balls while overlapping and hard (sometimes impossible) to beat while defending the channel on most occasions. The former Hull city player has brought some tangible class from the Premier League to the ISL club.

His contribution has been great in a host of big wins, both home and away, which have led the southern side to the top of the table. While the limelight was usually hogged by Elano, the Frenchman has been doing it even more consistently at the back and his commanding presence has made sure that no striker has a sniff near the Chennayin FC’s box.

#2 Gregory Arnolin - FC Goa

The French defender has been the leader of the pack at the back for FC Goa. Zico's side sat at the bottom of the table at the mid-point of the season and six games later, they had risen up to second place having already qualified for the semis and a point behind the league leaders.

The 34-year-old defender has been very cautious in containing strikers and distributing the ball from the back. He has played in every game for the Goan outfit and his consistency has been a testament to the fact that his team has conceded only 11 goals – the second best defensive record behind Atletico de Kolkata.

Gregory has been superior in the air, both in defence and attack. The Frenchman has two goals to his name and his notable performances against Pune City FC, NorthEast United FC, Kerala Blasters and Mumbai City FC have gone a long way to bake the celebratory cake after they sealed their place in the top four.

#1 Anwar Ali - Delhi Dynamos

The veteran defender from Punjab has done exceptionally well for Delhi Dynamos who are in pole position to make it to the semis while going into the final game in Chennai. He formed a formidable partnership with Wim Raymaekers at the back before the highly rated Belgian got injured.

But this did not stop Ali from being consistent and taking responsibility in the presence of a much younger partner in Stijn Houben. The former JCT player has been a fixture at the back for the North Indian outfit and has re-established himself for the same role in the national team.

Notable performances include a very obvious personal-battle victory against the likes of Fikru. He has been injecting regular doses of confidence into the team, earning praise from the likes of Hans Mulder about the same.

Ali’s composure on the ball has been ideal for the kind of football his manager wants his team to play.