ISL: 10 Former players teams could use now

Miku
Miku

#2 Bartholomew Ogbeche - NorthEast United

Bartholomew Ogbeche
Bartholomew Ogbeche

NorthEast United waited five seasons to make their first-ever playoffs and when they did, everyone expected the club to retain coach Eelco Schattorie. But, the management couldn't convince him to stay, and with him left another prominent name in striker Bartholomew Ogbeche.

The Nigerian striker scored 12 goals and became the club’s all-time top scorer in a single season. Thus, it was natural to expect the management to retain his services.

Having joined Kerala, the 35-year-old scored 15 goals in 16 games and led the side from the front. The club finished seventh, mostly due to the individual heroics of their skipper.

Ogbeche’s departure meant NorthEast had to bring an equally skilled striker on-board and though they did so in the form of Asamoah Gyan, an injury cut his campaign short. The Highlanders struggled miserably in front of goal as none of their other strikers managed to replicate the performances of their predecessor.

If Ogbeche had decided to wear the colours of NorthEast for another season, the story would have been different. The forward recently extended his stay with the Blasters, thereby ruling out any chance of returning to NEUFC.


#1 Miku - Bengaluru FC

Miku
Miku

No team in the ISL would be missing a former player as much as Bengaluru FC miss Miku. The Venezuelan joined BFC before the 2017/18 season and played 32 ISL matches.

In his first season, Miku scored 15 goals in 20 matches and formed a formidable partnership up top with Sunil Chhetri (14 goals). In the next season, the striker played only 12 games but scored five goals and registered four assists. Even when he did not score, the 34-year-old was an invaluable asset on the field as he could instil a sense of threat in the opposition's mind.

Bengaluru signed Manuel Onwu as Miku's replacement but he could not replicate his predecessor's exploits. Onwu failed to find the back of the net in any of his six games.

The club then had to sign three players midway through the season - Deshorn Brown, Nili Perdomo and Kevaughn Frater - to solve their attacking woes.

Still, Carles Cuadrat's side missed Miku as they were more or less wasteful in front of goal. Even Sunil Chhetri wasn't at his natural best after being forced to take up additional duties in the absence of Miku and due to the failure of his supporting cast.

The striker's contract with Cypriot club Omonia Nikosia is reportedly set to end this season but a second stint in India looks highly unlikely.

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Edited by Zaid Khan
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