ISL: Delhi Dynamos’ strongest XI

Del Piero is the most high-profile marquee foreigner

Sportskeeda concludes this Indian Super League series by looking at the strongest eleven on paper of Delhi Dynamos that has Italian World Cup winner and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero as their marquee foreigner.

Formation: 4-4-1-1

GK: Kristof Van Hout – The Belgian custodian comes into the ISL with a huge reputation not only because he played in the Europa League for Genk last season but also because of the fact that he is the tallest professional footballer at six feet ten inches. Hout though will be judged on his goalkeeping so he will be determined to keep as many clean sheet as possible.

RB: Naoba Singh – The Manipuri wasn’t retained by East Bengal but was signed up by IMG-Reliance for their domestic pool and was Delhi’s third pick in the domestic draft. On his day, Naoba can be as good as any right back in India but he should aim to be more consistent in the ISL than he has been so far in his career.

CB: Anwar Ali – The Punjabi defender hasn’t been part of the senior national team for three years now but has the physique and experience to do well in the ISL and revive his career. Anwar will benefit from playing with quality foreign centre-backs and will have to minimise his mistakes to keep his place in the team.

CB: Wim Raymaekers – The 29-year-old Belgian centre-back was directly signed by Delhi Dynamos and is expected to be the leader of the backline due to his experience of playing in Belgium and Holland. Last season Raymaekers was playing in the top tier of his homeland and he will have plenty of responsibility on his shoulders during the ISL.

LB: Robert Lalthlamuana – The East Bengal left back was Delhi’s second pick in the domestic draft and like Naoba, he hasn’t always done justice to his true potential. Talent-wise there aren’t too many better left backs in the country than Robert especially while overlapping and delivering balls from crosses and set-pieces. He would be looking to be at his best in the ISL.

RM: Shylo Malswatluanga – The veteran from Mizoram faces tough competition from Steven Dias for a starting place on the right wing but the fact that he has had a full pre-season with East Bengal and played competitive matches could play in his favour. He maybe past his peak but Mama, as he is popularly called, can still provide quality from the right flank.

CM: Pavel Elias – A product of the Slavia Prague youth system, the 27-year-old is a hard-working central midfielder and spent the majority of his career playing for FK Jablonec 97 in the Czech Republic top tier. Besides his work-rate, Elias is also quite creative and will have to be on the top of his game as there is plenty of competition for places in midfield.

CM: Hans Mulder – The Dutchman was signed directly by Delhi Dynamos largely on the recommendation of Feyenoord as Mulder has spent his entire senior career in the Netherlands. Although largely a holding midfielder, the former Real Zaragoza youth player is also well adept going forward.

LM: Francis Fernandes – The India international was also part of the Asian Games squad but didn’t have a good tournament there. Being one of the costliest Indian players, Francis was Delhi’s first pick in the domestic draft and thus has to live up to some high expectations. With a left-footed midfielder absent in the Delhi squad, Francis is expected to operate on the left flank.

CAM: Alessandro Del Piero – Perhaps the most famous marquee player, Del Piero will be a major influence not only for the Delhi franchise but the league in general, something which he achieved while playing in Australia’s A-League. He may be 39 now but the Italian World Cup winner still has enough class to create and score goals in the free role behind the lone striker.

CF: Morten Skoubo – It is going to be a tight call between Danish forward Skoubo and compatriot Mads Junker for a place in the team but the former might just get the nod for being better suited to play the target-man’s role upfront. Skoubo has been among the goals in practice games and would be looking to be prolific in the ISL.