#9 Midfielder - Michael Soosairaj
![Michael Soosairaj was arguably the best midfielder of this year's I-League](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/05/99346-1526205488-800.jpg 1920w)
The I-League's breakout star and the only non-Goan to be included in the midfielder section of the Unpicked XI is Michael Soosairaj. The 23-year-old has a knack for holding the ball and dribbling past his opponents and loves playing close-knit football. Moreover, the coaches were so impressed with his skills that they awarded him the 'Best Midfielder of I-League 2017-18.' Although the club finished 9th this season, individually he was a phenomenal resource for Chennai City. That is the reason that he has now been picked up by the ISL club, Jamshedpur FC.
How does the national team coach treat him? He leaves him out and includes Mohammed Rafique and Laldanmawia Ralte. While Ralte is a brilliant right-winger, not many would say about Rafique.
Perhaps, it is due to the style of play that Constantine prefers. If that's the case, Soosairaj isn't someone who can play direct and long-ball football and it is better that he didn't get picked for the squad as chances of him being fielded would have been meager.