Midfielders are arguably the most important link in football. Orchestrating play from the centre of the park, these players have to contribute in all areas of the game. Responsible for bringing the ball out of opposition attacks and to score pile-divers on critical junctures, it is a midfielder’s day job to create a chance out of nowhere, to mesmerise and also to score.
A settled midfield is a coach’s delight. Ask Luis Enrique, who has a Sergio Busquets-Ivan Rakitic-Andres Iniesta to call. Tireless in defence, midfielders also need to have the vision to look for that one killer pass, one threaded delivery to break open defences.
Here, we take a look at the 5 most influential midfielders in the history of ISL.
#1 Borja Fernandez
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The first foreign player to sign for the ISL remains one of the most important ever. Borja, as he is famously known, is to Atletico de Kolkata’s midfield what N’Golo Kante was to Leicester City last season. Known for his strong presence and leadership abilities, Borja is the first name on the team-sheet and leads by example.
The former Getafe player, at 33, has loads of experience and is very effective on the field. A towering presence, Borja is capable of winning balls off the feet and in the air equally well. Also capable of finding a pass in the final third, his presence allows his attacking players a lot more freedom to express themselves.
Having led his side to the ISL victory in 2014, Borja has undeniably made his presence felt in the centre of the park. The Spanish midfielder would be taking the field for the third consecutive year for ATK and would try to make sure the fans keep smiling by the tournament ends.
#2 Leo Moura
Leo Moura is one of the very few players who’ve represented all top four clubs in the Brazilian League, and Zico, the FC Goa coach who sensed his abilities well, brought the midfielder to India. Tall and imposing, Leo had an impression on everything FC Goa did last season, from defending to attacking.
Adept to play as a defensive midfielder, Moura influenced games last season playing as a deep-lying playmaker, also doing the dirty work for his team while defending. With a Brazilian coach at the helm, Moura was the tactical brain-child for everything on the pitch for FC Goa, a team he led to the finals.
Leo shares the distinction of the most number of assists in a single edition of ISL, eight, with another player (on the list). Add two goals to that and 825 successful passes (the most in the entire league), and now you know why he’s worth a lot more. Disappointingly, Moura has gone back to Brazil to represent Santa Cruz this season, and we wish him all the best.
#3 Sameehg Doutie
If you’ve never seen an African diamond, ask an ATK fan and he’ll give you this name. Such was Sameehg’s influence on the defending champions ATK last season that he was credited for carrying them to the semi-finals. Slow and precision-less after the injury of Helder Postiga, Atletico de Kolkata had lost the zeal of champions, till this diminutive midfielder arrived on the scene.
Sameehg missed the first four matches for the Kolkata-based team, and when he arrived, he arrived in style. A player in the mould of Aaron Lennon, Sameehg flies past full-backs with ease. His crosses are inch-perfect and Canadian striker Iain Hume had a superb telepathic connection with the South African winger throughout the tournament.
It’s Sameehg pace on the flanks and his work rate which stands out on the pitch. Always willing to run back and defend, Sameehg scored three goals and provided six crucial assists for his team.
In a match against FC Goa, Sameehg scored twice and assisted another, in one of the best performances by an ATK side ever. To the liking of the fans, Sameehg would be donning the red-and-white striped jersey again in the 2016 edition.
#4 Florent Malouda
When the Frenchman is in the mood, there’s very little defenders can do. Someone who has won the Champions League with Chelsea and various other titles, Malouda is known throughout the world for his powerful left foot and his mazy runs down the flanks.
With Roberto Carlos orchestrating the Delhi Dynamos team from the sidelines, Malouda had a very integral role had to play in the attacking third. The former Lyon winger responded magnificently to his responsibilities and conjured 8 assists, joint highest with FC Goa’s Leo Moura.
The left-footed winger had the most number of passes in the Lions’ side last term and has been rewarded with the role of marquee player for the 2016 season. Delhi Dynamos FC reached the semis last season, and they had only one player to thank for their achievements, Florent Malouda.
His pin-point crosses for Richard Gadze and Gustavo Dos Santos were a pleasure to watch and the fans would be hoping for an encore in the upcoming season.
#5 Elano Blumer
Silky, stylish and creative, that’s how you describe a certain Elano Blumer. With every touch, Elano caressed the ball with incomparable ease and made the game look a little more beautiful. Playing at the top of the midfield for the Chennaiyin FC, Elano led the side magnificently to the title last season.
Having been the marquee player for the Chennai side in the first edition as well, Elano is dreaded worldwide for his trademark free-kicks which usually bulges the net. A player who represented the Brazil national team 50 times, Elano has played for Premier League side Manchester City in the past.
Calm, composed and creatively beautifully with the ball at his feet, Elano is one of the prime examples for Joga Bonito present in the ISL. Elano has led the south-Indian side by example, having scored 12 goals and providing 5 assists in total. Needless to say, the Macha fans would miss the Samba magic in the centre of the park this edition.
