ISL 2015: 5 Players to watch out for from FC Pune City

David Platt will be hoping to lead FC Pune City to the ISL titleThe Hrithik Roshan co-owned side, FC Pune City, will be proud of securing the services of the country’s two promising players – Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Jackichand Singh – besides the foreign players. The winners of the I-League awards, Eugeneson (Best Midfielder) and Jackichand (Best Player), along with the cream of overseas players, makes David Platt’s side look a formidable outfit for the second edition of the championship. Bikash Jairu, the winger will add to the strength of the FC Pune City’s strike force.”Past is history and we never look back but ahead,” were the few words the England skipper and Nottingham Forest manager Platt had to say about his side who finished sixth in the last edition of the Indian Super League (ISL). The team had their preseason on foreign soil (Turkey), and should make their presence felt this year.The magnitude of the abilities of Pune’s new signings for ISL 2015 is quite frightening for their opponents. Adrian Mutu, Didier Zokora, Tuncay Sanli, Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Jackichand Singh and a few more can pose a real threat in the forthcoming tournament. Looking at their signings, one might be forced to believe that they are desperate to become a force to be reckoned with in ISL 2015.

#1 Adrian Mutu (striker)

The Romanian started his football career with Arge Piteti and went on to play for Chelsea and Juventus. The highly skillful and creative player made his international debut against Greece in the year 2000. Mutu has donned the Romanian colours 72 times, scoring 34 goals, 23 of which have come in qualifying games.

He was the vice-captain of the side and has earned the Romanian Footballer of the Year award. He is capable of playing in several offensive positions – as a supporting forward, as a striker, as a winger, and also as an attacking midfielder. The 36-year-old Romanian has played for two other Italian clubs including Internazionale and Fiorentina.

#2 Didier Zokora (mid-fielder)

Alain Didier Zokora, better known as Didier Zokora is an Ivorian professional footballer. He was in his country's national team for almost 15 years since 2000 and has become the team's most capped player. His career started with Académie MimoSifcom before he along with his younger brother, Armando, joined Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas.

However, his younger brother Armando met with a tragic end drowning to death during the celebration of the contract, at a beach in Grand-Bassam. Zokora, in memory of his brother and hero, has Armand tattoed on his right forearm. Taking it as a challenge and crediting his the success in football to his brother, Zokora went on to feature in 126 matches for the Racing Genk and his best outing was a 1–1 home draw against Real Madrid.

#3 Tuncay Volkan anl (striker)

The Turkish footballer is one of the main players in the Pune side. He can also be a useful playmaker for the side. He was a member of Turkey’s side that finished in third place in both the Confederations Cup and the European Championships.

With 22 international goals in 80 caps, he is the second-highest goalscorer of all time for his country, and the eighth-most capped player. Tuncay began his career with his local club, Sakaryaspor, before joining one of the largest clubs in Turkey – Fenerbahçe. He made a name for himself when he made international headlines after he scored a hat-trick for Fenerbahçe against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.

#4 Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Mid-fielder)

He was the most sought out player during the ISL auction this year, as six of the eight teams bid for him. Starting with a base price of Rs 27 lakh, he was finally bagged by FC Pune City for Rs 1.05 crore, becoming ISL's first millionaire.

He has been a livewire in the midfield for Bengaluru FC. In his 33 appearances, he has scored nine goals and has been instrumental in providing 16 assists. His skill and intelligent moves won him the I-League’s best midfielder of the season. He was also capped by the national side when he was picked up by the India coach Stephen Constantine. He was handed his debut in India’s 2018 Fifa World Cup pre-qualifier against Nepal, early this year.

#5 Jackichand Singh (winger)

Jackichand Singh made his debut for Royal Wahingdoh in 2011, when he just 19 years old. He is on loan from Royal Wahingdoh (I-League) and has earned his first Indian cap when he made his debut against Nepal as a substitute for Lalrindika Ralte. His biggest inspiration has been his senior and fellow Manipuri Renedy Singh.

In his 22 appearances in the I-League, he has scored eight goals. Jackichand started his first game for Royal Wahingdoh in the Federation Cup. He made his I-League debut against Shillong Lajong in the first ever Shillong Derby in the I-League. He scored his first league goal against Salgaocar.