Internet Desk: The I-League 2017-18 has been a closely contested affair with Minerva FC and Neroca FC giving a tough time to the Kolkata giants on the top.
The ISL has been a superior league this season with the top Indian and International players playing in that league. But the I-League too has been a fresh league this season with some fine Indian and international players on display. Here goes the top foreigners who have made a significant impact so far this season.
Chencho
Just like it is unfair to criticise one player for the defeat of a team, it would be considered an exaggeration to say Minerva’s new signing Chencho Gyeltshen is the reason why they are on the top of the points table . But surprisingly, his role in the club’s fantastic start to the season cannot be overlooked. The exciting talent of Bhutanese forward Chencho, popularly known as the Ronaldo of Bhutan or CG7 in his country, has been unleashed by the Khogen Singh-led I-League side.
Katsumi Yusa
Like the previous seasons, the Japanese midfielder has been a vital part of his team in the I-League. It was never easy to live up to the expectation of playing for the arch-rivals after joining East Bengal from Mohun Bagan this season. The nimble-footed foreigner has scored as many as five goals already with a number of assists to help the Red and Gold brigade to stay in a position they are in at the moment.
Dipanda Dicka
He was the top scorer of I-League last season with Shillong Lajong, after that Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan signed Dicka for the 2017-18 season and in this season too he is showing his class as he have already scored 8 goals for the Green & Maroon Brigade and currently leading the top scorer list. Though Mohun Bagan doesn’t have much chance of winning the I-League this season, but Dicka has been the stand out performer for the side.
Joachim
The French forward has already caught his eyes of one and all. He has already scored five goals for Chennai City and looking more and more threatening as the league progresses. A fox in the box.
Williams
One of the big reasons why Neroca FC is doing so well in this I-League. A supremely versatile player who even played as a centre back in a few games this season. Williams, whose mother hailed from Mumbai, is a 23 year old centre back who started his footballing journey in England, where his father is from. He started out from the youth setup of Burnley FC, and soon moved to the country of his berth to play in the A-League for Perth Glory.