Intro: With only five foreigners allowed on the field for this edition of the Hero Indian Super League, Indian players will now have a more influential role to play, and nowhere will this influence count more than the full-back position
Most teams prefer foreign players along the spine of the team: centre-backs, central midfielders and, of course strikers, thereby making Indian full-backs a vital cog in every team’s line-up.
The fact that seven of the first 10 defenders to be picked up in the Indian Player Draft were full-backs was not a matter of chance, but choice. It shouldn’t be surprising, though. All around the world, the full-back is the most coveted position on the pitch. The world’s most expensive defender, Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City, is also a full-back. So, to see Hero ISL clubs build their squad from the back line showed where their priorities lay – identify the right man for the full-back position and you add not just to your defence but even attack.
Starting with defending champions Atletico de Kolkata to newcomers Jamshedpur FC, we take a look a plethora of Indian full-backs who are all set to light up the fourth season of the Hero ISL.
Atletico de Kolkata: Prabir Das’s trickery and Ashutosh Mehta’s unflinching commitment will come to the fore for ATK. Mehta is fresh from winning the Hero I-League with Aizawl and Das’s pedigree was evident with Mohun Bagan, his bursts of pace aiding the team.
Bengaluru FC: Rahul Bheke’s guile and crossing ability was first noticed when he was with Kerala Blasters FC. Now, he will ply his trade for Bengaluru FC. On the opposite flank will be the young Nishu Kumar, thereby completing a frightening pair for BFC.
Chennaiyin FC: Along with Jerry Lalrinzuala, who will certainly be an automatic selection, Goa’s Fulganco Cardozo and Keenan Almeida are formidable names in Indian football.
Delhi Dynamos: India’s first-choice right-back, Pritam Kotal, needs no introduction. Solid while going back and lethal when in the space to make a cross, Kotal will be at the heart of everything good that Delhi produce. Munmun Lugun also adds to Delhi’s threat as a set-piece specialist.
FC Goa: Another India first-choice player, Narayan Das will man the left flank for FC Goa. Seriton Fernandes is a winger who has moulded himself to play as a full-back and it will be interesting to see how he fits in.
Jamshedpur FC: Given the sheer depth of full-backs in other teams, Jamshedpur are slightly lacking in this area. Robin Gurung and Yumnam Raju will look to get into the squad as regulars. Souvik Ghosh is also on the roster, but he prefers being a centre-back.
Kerala Blasters FC: The Blasters are pretty sorted with Samuel Shadap, Rino Anto and Lalruatthara all exemplary in their duties as left-backs.
Mumbai City FC: Mumbai have gone for the experience of Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Biswajit Saha in vital positions. Over the years, Wadoo has become more of a central defender, but he can deliver a wicked cross when he bombs forward from right-back.
NorthEast United FC: The team from the hotbed of Indian football boasts the raw talent of 22-year-old Hakku Nediyodath. He's got Reagan Singh and Robert Lalthlamuana to compete with.
FC Pune City: Lalchhuanmawia and Wayne Vaz are not very big names. That said, they can get the job done for Pune
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