ISL 2017: Top 5 players likely to win the Golden Glove this season

Just ten days remain for India's footballing extravaganza -- the Indian Super League (ISL) to kick off and this time around, two more teams have been included in the tournament, which increases the stakes for the sides and their fans.

All the ten teams have spent big to build their squads for the new season and one most sought-after players have been the goalkeepers. Guarding the goalpost is a job as important as scoring a goal. The goalkeeper is the starting point of most of the attacking play and hence, is arguably the most important member of the team.

The teams have all been careful in selecting their goalkeepers and this could be seen from the fact that the Delhi Dynamos FC selected a goalkeeper as their first pick at the draft.

Now, let us see some of the top contenders for the Golden Glove award in this year's edition!

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#5 Subhasish Roy Chowdhury - Kerala Blasters

Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, the 31-year-old Indian keeper, was a part of the ATK team which won the ISL in its inaugural season. He was their main man in goal during the campaign.

The experienced keeper played for Delhi Dynamos, FC Goa and East Bengal before coming to the Kochi-based team. He brings a lot of experience with him and with a strong defence that features the likes of Sandesh Jhingan and Wes Brown in front of him, he will surely have an eye on the Golden Glove trophy.

#4 Rehenesh TP - NorthEast United FC

TP Rehenesh of NEUFC

Rehenesh TP, the young Indian goalkeeper, has been a fan favourite at Northeast United FC for the last three editions of the Indian Super League. There is no doubt why the Highlanders have retained the Kerala-born goalkeeper for another season, given his ability.

The keeper had a loan spell at East Bengal in between the ISL seasons. He had received a lot of praise from coaches after his performance in the first season and if he can recreate his form again this time around, he stands as a certain candidate for the Best Keeper award.

#3 Albino Gomes - Delhi Dynamos FC

Albino Gomes

There is no doubt in this young Indian's talent, as multiple teams were behind him and Delhi Dynamos picked him in the first round of the ISL Draft this year. An I-League winner with Aizawl FC, he played for Mumbai City FC in the last two seasons.

After the draft, Delhi Dynamos director Rohan Sharma said, "We just felt that it was crucial to get an excellent Indian Goalkeeper and being able to get Albino (Gomes) is a major feather in our cap."

This statement shows the importance of the player. Albino Gomes will have a huge role to play as the Dynamos eye their first ISL title this year.

#2 Jussi Jääskeläinen - ATK

Jussi Jääskeläinen played for West Ham United

ATK are out to retain their title this year and have spent some big money in getting some big names on their list and the 42-year-old Finnish player is certainly one of them.

Coming to the ISL with a lot of experience from England, Jussi Jääskeläinen will have a major role to play if ATK are to win their third ISL crown. Having played more than 750 matches in England, his quality is unquestionable and makes him a strong contender for the Golden Glove award.

#1 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - Bengaluru FC

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

There is no need for an introduction to Indian No. 1 keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who is one of the nation's best players and at the age of 25, he has got some good European experience under his belt.

He is the first Indian player to get a cap in the UEFA Europa League for Norwegian club Stabæk. The East Bengal youth product returned to India for this edition of the ISL and when Bengaluru FC feature in the ISL for the first time, their aim will be nothing less than the title and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu can surely help them to achieve their target.