The Indian Super League (ISL) Season 2 has started off in style. Atlético de Kolkata have started title defence in style, beating Chennaiyin FC 3-2, while FC Goa defeated spirited Delhi Dynamos FC 2-0. As the league is set to gai more momentum in the coming days, here let us take a quick look at the eight marquee players of the eight participating teams in the competition.
1) Atletico De Kolkata - Helder Postiga
Age- 33
Country - Portuguese
While last year ATK looked up to their Spanish inspiration in Luis Garcia, this time it will be the Portuguese 33-year-old star, Helder Postiga. A centre forward of top quality, Postiga has already marked his presence in the field by scoring two match-winning goals in the opening match against Chennaiyan FC. Having played in top European clubs like Tottenham and Valencia , Postiga is made his name while playing for FC Porto. He has big shoes to fill in, considering how successful Garcia was in the last season with ATK, in their maiden season. But ATK fans can rely on this star who boasts to play alongside players like Christiano Ronaldo and has more than 100 club goals.
2) Kerala Blasters - Carlos Marchena
Age - 36
Country - Spain
The Blasters tried to be different in their picking their marquee player in the form of a central defender and they have struck gold. The Spaniard was immensely successful both with his club and country as he won the World Cup and Euro Cup with Spain and with his club Valencia, he won five major league titles. Marchena will play a crucial role in the Blasters defence as he will be stopping top strikers from scoring goals.
3) Chennaiyan FC - Elano
Age - 34
Country - Brazil
After a superb first season, Elano is back with the Chennaiyan side. He was the top scorer of the last ISL season, where he scored eight goals and won the Golden Boot. With one goal to his name in the very first match in season two, Elano will be hoping to create a similar impact this season. Accurate passing and his mastery over set-pieces, makes him one of the best footballers in the ISL. Basically a midfielder, Elano has joined the Chennaiyan side, on loan from Brazilian club Santos and will be eager to prove his prowess.
4) FC Goa - Lucio
Age - 37
Country - Brazil
Like Kerala Blasters, FC Goa has opted for a central defender as their marquee player. Lucio is a tall and strong defender and it will be a tough task for strikers to penetrate the FC Goa defensc on Lucio's watch. He is also good in aerial play and has the ability to assist his forwards. He has won the World Cup with Brazil in the year 2002, and has played for clubs like Internacional and Bayer Leverkusen. With legendary Brazilian Zico as the team's coach, he will know how to use Lucio best.
{adselite}
5) Delhi Dynamos - Roberto Carlos
Age - 42
Country - Brazil
The name is enough and does not require any further introduction. The world remembers him as a ferocious free-kick specialist, who shoots with incredible speed and scores goals from impossible angles and by defying laws of physics. Carlos is a traditional yet an offensive left back. He has been extremely successful with his club and his country and he is the coach-cum-marquee player for the Delhi side. At 42, he is not getting any younger, but Dyanmos hopes will be pinned on the legendary Brazilian.
6) FC Pune City - Adrian Mutu
Age - 36
Country - Romania
The former Chelsea and Juventus player is mainly a striker but is also comfortable in the wings. The Romanian holds a joint record with none other than the Romanian legend, Gheoghe Hagi of scoring 35 goals for his country. Apart from Juventus, Mutu has also played for Inter Milan, Verona, Parma and Florentina. Pune City's journey in this edition of ISL will be dependent a lot on Mutu's performance.
7) Mumbai City FC - Nicholas Anelka
Age - 36
Country - France
The skillful yet controversial Anelka, is one of the most famous French footballers. His CV boasts of stints at clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and PSG. A striker of superior quality, his international did not reach the heights it was supposed to. He played for the Mumbai side last year, and gave them a much needed boost in the closing stages of the league but it was not enough. This time he will be resuming his role of striker, along with the additional duty of coaching the team and will definitely aim to bag the trophy.
8) North East United - Simao Sabrosa
Age - 35
Country - Potuguese
A former FC Barcelona player, he played for the Catalan side from 1999-2001. Age might have slowed his down but this winger, who also is an expert in set pieces, will play a crucial role for the North Eastern side. he started his club career with Sporting Lisbon, he mainly played in La Liga and has more than 150 club goals to his name.
[module-214]
