The fourth season of the Indian Super League (ISL) will witness the popular franchise league at its grandest. With two more teams added to its roster, the ISL promises to be better and bigger this season with the league set to run for five months instead of the erstwhile three.
Thanks to the retooling of the ISL, clubs have been forced to focus their attention more on recruiting the best Indian players, while roping in marquee names from outside India has become an afterthought.
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That being said, foreign players continue to be linked with various ISL clubs considering the league's status as a cash-rich one, and, as the two-time finalists, Kerala Blasters remain the top target for players and their agents alike.
Let's take a look at five foreign players who could be part of Kerala Blasters next season.
#1 Iain Hume
The Kerala Blasters fan favourite, striker Iain Hume, could be heading back to Kochi for the 2017/18 ISL campaign. Hume, who is ISL's record goalscorer, won the title with Atletico de Kolkata last season before leaving for Extremadura in Spain. He has recently been roped in by player agency Inventive Sports, which has had close ties with Kerala Blasters during the past ISL seasons.
With Atletico de Kolkata heading in a different direction after their separation from parent club Atletico Madrid, there is every possibility that Hume might not make a return to Kolkata. In that case, the 33-year-old, who played in Kerala's colours in ISL-1, could make a shock return to the Kochi-based outfit. However, it all depends on whether Steve Coppell is retained by the club or not.
#2 Antonio German
German was Kerala Blasters’ most impressive performer in a disastrous campaign for the club in 2015, top scoring for his team with six goals. The forward has since featured for the Men in Yellow in ISL-3 but was used mainly as an option from the bench. The 25-year-old, however, has recently announced his intentions to play in the ISL next season.
In a Twitter post, the English striker with Caribbean roots announced he will return in time for ISL-4, sending the Kerala Blasters faithful into a frenzy. That being said, it is not yet confirmed where he will ply his trade next season, but having played for Kerala Blasters in the past, the chances of him joining the Kochi-based outfit are pretty high.
#3 Josu Currais
The former La Masia starlet is a fan favourite among the Kerala Blasters fans, and his announcement of an India return on Twitter also made headlines. Josu, like Hume, joined Extremadura following the completion of the ISL last season and has since joined USL outfit Cincinnati FC after the end of the regular season in Spain.
Similar to German, Josu also sent out a cryptic tweet in reply to a question from one of his fans, suggesting that he is all but set to play in next season's ISL. However, the 24-year-old did not reveal the club, leaving us all to keep guessing, but at this stage, Kerala Blasters look the favourites to land the Spaniard.
#4 Dirk Kuyt
The former Liverpool man ended an illustrious career at the top level when he signed off in style at Dutch giants Feyenoord, leading the De Kuip club to their first Eredivisie title in 18 years. The indefatigable Kuyt has held talks with various ISL clubs but nothing concrete has been agreed on yet. Kerala Blasters were thought to be the favourites to land Kuyt, but the uncertainty over their managerial position has put things on hold.
According to close sources, Kuyt could be available to ISL clubs for about Rs 5 crores, a steep amount for someone of his age. It can be assumed that ISL clubs have baulked at Kuyt's valuation, but should he be available at a cut-price rate, expect Kerala Blasters to pounce on the opportunity.
#5 Edel Bete
The two-time ISL champion played at Pune City last season but failed to add to his ISL title tally as the Orange-Purples finished outside the top four places in the league phase. As things stand, Edel is yet to sign new terms with Pune City, while the Balewadi Stadium outfit have signed Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith before the domestic player retention deadline day.
With Kaith being seen as a long-term custodian of the Orange-Purples' goal, Edel increasingly looks an attractive prospective foreign signing for Kerala Blasters. According to sources, the best goalkeeper in ISL's short history is on the Blasters radar and should they sign the former Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper, it will be one of the biggest transfers ahead of ISL-4.
