ISL 2016: Top 5 Foreign Players of the league stages

#2 Lucian Goian

Lucian Goian has been the best defender of the Indian Super League

Mumbai City FC finished ISL 2014 second from bottom and having conceded 21 goals. ISL 2015 saw them rise to 6th, conceding 26 goals in the process. They finished the group stages of ISL 2016 top of the table, conceding only 8 goals. The difference? Lucian Goian.

The Romanian has arguably been more crucial to the Mumbaikars presence at the pinnacle of the league than the likes of Diego Forlan, Sony Norde and Sunil Chhetri. Goian has been integral to Mumbai keeping 8 clean sheets this season, a feat never before achieved in the Indian Super League.

Goian’s defensive nous is readily apparent to the eyes, but the numbers that prove his value are truly awe-inspiring. The Romanian leads the way in tackles (67), winning 25 aerial duels and intercepting 31 times, the best of any player in the league. Goals may win you matches, but a defence wins you the league, and Goian might just be what earns Mumbai City FC their first ever Indian Super League trophy.