With only around a week for the 7th season of ISL to commence, the heat is surely building up day after day.
The fundamental element of being classified as an underrated footballer is not receiving enough credits.
Let’s have a look at the top 5 underrated Indian players to play in the ISL this season.
5. Ajith Kumar
Being selected through the trials of Chennai City FC back in 2018, Ajith Kumar was one of the best players of their I-League winning campaign where he played every match of that season and proved to be a vital player for the team down the left flank. He has now signed a 3-year deal with the blues of ISL (Bengaluru FC).
He also displayed a solid performance against his present club BFC in the semifinal of the Super Cup in 2019, helping his team win 2-1 against the Blues. He surely will be given the responsibility to fill in the boots of Nishu who moved to Kerala this transfer window.
4. Rohit Kumar
Having scored his 1st goal 9 minutes into his debut match, he made a mark in his arrival into the senior team of DSK Shivajians. He netted thrice in his next 2 games for them. He then went on to play ISL for the now disbanded team Pune City FC where he scored twice in the 14 games. He proved to be a vital player for them in that campaign.
He then signed for Hyderabad FC in the 2019-20 season where he played 9 matches scoring once and assisting once. He has now signed a 2-year deal with Kerala Blasters. Blasters are surely making a right move by signing him who is very strong in the back of the midfield and also proved to be a consistent scorer for any team he played for in the past.
3. George D’Souza
The fullback, who is a lethal finisher as well, had plied his trade in the Goa Pro League for Sporting Clube de Goa. He is one of the latest signing for Odisha FC and was one of the hot prospects of the GPL effective on both defense as well as attack. His physicality adds an extra advantage. Many ISL teams had approached him to put his pen on their paper, but Odisha FC sealed the deal, out of all others.
He is very lethal with his free kicks and has scored some braces in his career, before. He was the third highest goal scorer of the season in the GPL with 4 goals and a handful of assists to his name.
As a teenager he played for the Sesa Football Academy. He then joined Calangute association as Sesa Football academy got shut down. Later on he went on to sign for Sporting Clube de’ Goa to play in the I-League. Odisha is surely looking forward to see more lethal attack as well as effective defense from him this season.
2. Mapuia
One of the most lethal yet underrated Indian striker, Mapuia, is currently signed by NEUFC for the season 2020-21.
Having plied his trade in the I-League outfit Aizawl FC, he won the league under Khalid Jamil (the Assistant coach of NEUFC). He scored 3 goals and assisted once in the 8 matches he played. In the following year he, again, made his impact as a striker netting 6 times and assisting once in the 17 matches he played.
Last season he plied his trade with Churchill Brothers where he netted 5 times in the 13 matches he played. He is among the top Indian Goal scorers of the league just behind Rochharzela. After moving to Northeast, the same will be expected from him. Northeast are surely giving him the responsibility to showcase his talent in the 30yards of the opponents.
1. Reagan Singh
Arguably the most underrated player in the list is none other than Reagen Singh. The former NEUFC full-back has now signed for Chennaiyin FC.
He started his professional career at Royal Wahingdoh back in 2012. He signed for NEUFC back in 2014 and appeared in 69 games for them making him the most appeared footballer for them.
His presence in the back is vital for any team as his physicality and work rate is extremely good. He was a mainstay in northeast and an important part of the team. After moving to Chennaiyin the same will be expected from him. Chennaiyin have roped in Reagan as their first choice defender and he will be given the responsibility to minimize the goals scored against them.