Top 4 ISL teams foreign key players

by Marina Gonsalves March 4, 2021

Foreign players have been integral in the growth phase of the country’s premier league since its inception. Over the years, as Sunil Chhetri mentioned in one of his interviews, “players from across the world have paved their way towards the country’s top football league, and I can see the development in Indian football. The quality of foreigners has only got better, and they have helped Indian footballers in a big way.”

In an unlikely season where fans were not allowed to the stadiums, and the league took place under a bio-bubble, the progression of teams highly depended on how the foreigners acclimatized and the team bonded in a centralized zone for close to six months.

As the league proceeds to the knockout stage, here’s a Combined XI of foreigners from the semi-finalists who we feel has made a significant impact:

• Roy Krishna:

Roy Krishna made 20 appearances for ATK Mohun Bagan this season scoring 14 goals. The Fijian player made his debut for the 3-time champions in 2019-20 and is slowly carving a place for himself into the hearts of millions of ATKMB supporters. Last year, he made 21 appearances and scored 15 goals, claiming the Golden Boot. This time around, nothing has changed and his goals were scored in crucial moments. Roy started his professional career in football in Fiji and has previously represented clubs in New Zealand and Australia.

• Igor Angulo:

After Ferran Corominas, the all-time top scorer of FC Goa parted ways with the club, everyone wondered whether there is going to be an appropriate replacement for the Spaniard sometime soon. With the inclusion of Igor Angulo this season, it seems the 37-year-old might just become an appropriate inclusion to the team. Igor is currently the second-highest goal scorer in the Indian Super League this season with a scoring tally of 13 goals in 19 appearances. Angulo started his career with Athletico Bilbao. Throughout the years, he has played with different clubs in Spain. He has also played for French and Polish teams before joining FC Goa.

• Adam le Fondre:

Adam has scored 11 goals in 20 matches. He is the fourth-highest goal scorer in the Indian Super League this season. Adam began his footballing career with Stockport County. Before signing for Mumbai City FC, he had a striking performance at Sydney FC where he scored 39 goals in just 57 games. Before giving a striking performance at Sydney FC he played for teams like Rochdale, Rotherham United, Reading FC, Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic.

• Federico Gallego:

In 2018-2019 Federico made his debut for NorthEast United FC as a midfielder. He has been one of the most pivotal players for NorthEast United. He has also been a great help for NorthEast United to reach their first Semi-Finals. He has made 14 appearances this season and has scored 4 goals he has also given 6 assists. Federico Gallego started his football career with Institution Athelica Sud America in 2010 as a Senior Player. He also played for teams like Argentinos Juniors, Comunicaciones, Liverpool Montevideo and Boston River.

• Khassa Camara:

Khassa Camara made his debut for NorthEast United in 2020-2021. He has appeared in 19 matches for NorthEast United and 73.78% passing accuracy having an assist to his name. Camara began his youth career with Ligue 2 side ES Troyes AC’s B team in France. Before joining NorthEast United he had played with US Boulogne, GS Ergotelis and AO Xanti Greek teams.

• Hugo Boumous:

Before joining Mumbai City FC, Hugo Boumous played for FC Goa. He made his debut for FC Goa in 2017-2018 from then till now till the last season he made a total of 49 appearances for the team and scored 20 goals. He played 13 matches for Mumbai City FC and has scored 2 goals and 7 assists under his name. Hugo started his football career with Laval and later joined Moghreb Tetouan.

• Ivan Gonzalez:

Ivan Gonzalez joined FC Goa in 2020-2021 Hero ISL. He has played 18 matches and has scored 2 goals and has 1 assist. Ivan started his youth career at AD Parla, later he joined the Real Madrid youth setup team. From there he made his way to the Real Madrid C team as a senior debutant. Ivan played for Spanish teams like Deportivo de La Coruna B, UB Conquense, Cultural Leonesa and Racing de Ferrol before joining FC Goa.

• Tiri:

Tiri has participated in the ISL for 5 seasons. He played with ATK FC in 2015 and 2016. Then he moved to Jamshedpur FC from 2017 to 2020. He then made his way back to ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020-2021. He made 19 appearances for the club this season and has 2 assists. He had started his youth career with Cadiz FC in the second division.

• Mourtada Fall

Mourtada Fall made his ISL debut by joining FC Goa. During his days at FC Goa, he played 40 matches and scored 9 goals. He joined Mumbai City FC in the 2020-21 ISL edition and made 17 appearances for the club and scored 3 goals. He is currently the highest goal-scoring defender in ISL history. Mourtada started his playing career with Moghreb Tetouan. Later he played for many different clubs like Al Arabi, Al-Salmiya SC and Wydada Casablanca.

• James Donachie:

James Donachie debuted with FC Goa in 2020-2021 ISL and has played 16 matches. He is one of FC Goa’s integral part of the defence side and has a passing accuracy of 84.18%. James Donachie started his youth career with Logan Lightning and his Senior career with Rochedale Rovers. He also played for Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory, Jeonnam Dragons and Newcastle Jets. He also played for the Australian U-20 and U-23 team.