ISL 2022-23: Who tops Khel Now’s Power Rankings in Phase 2?

Only three Indian players grab a spot in the list.

We are back with the Khel Now Power Rankings. For the last few seasons, we have been successfully identifying the 10 best performers throughout the course of the league campaign through our Power Rankings. This season too, we are doing the same for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season.

You are aware of the rules by now – but here’s a quick brush-up. For every ISL game, our respective correspondents and editors rank the three best-performing players from the match in order. The player ranked at the top of the list is awarded five points, the player finishing second earns three points, and the one at the bottom (third place) is given one point.

These points are carried forward for every player involved in the league, once he’s chosen by our team. Eventually, the total number of points that they accumulate will decide their final position on the leaderboard at the end of the season. The Khel Now Power Rankings will be published in a series of five articles as we have divided the league into five equal phases of 22 games each. This article includes the top-10 rankings after Phase 2 of ISL 2022-23.

Note: Phase 2 of the 2022-23 ISL season began on November 5 with Hyderabad FC locking horns with Odisha FC. The phase ended on December 4, after the game between Bengaluru FC and ATK Mohun Bagan, the second game of a doubleheader matchday.

10. Odei Onaindia (Hyderabad FC) – 11 points

Odei Onaindia has been rock solid for Hyderabad FC at the base of their defence. He has been one of the best defenders in the league so far with several match-winning contributions for his side. He played a principal role in keeping clean sheets for Hyderabad in five out of their nine games.

Along with Chinglensana Singh, Onaindia has the primary role of marshalling the defence of the Nizams. With the fewest goals conceded by any side this season so far at six, it is safe to say that he has been really up to his task.

9. Subhasish Bose (ATK Mohun Bagan) – 11 points

Another defender to feature on this list, Subhasish Bose is having a brilliant season with ATK Mohun Bagan at left-back. He is providing solidity to the Green & Maroons' defence, making sharp forward runs, and aiding the side's attack whenever required. He scored the late winner in their game against NorthEast United which was inching towards a draw.

The former Bengaluru FC player looks in top form and his body language portrays a kind of hunger to achieve more this season, especially after he missed out on a call from Igor Stimac for India's latest tournament in Vietnam.

8. Cleiton Silva (East Bengal) – 11 points

Cleiton has been the best footballer for East Bengal this season. After a dismal performance last time out, the club looks much better this term under the stewardship of Stephen Constantine. Major credit for this transformation goes to Cleiton Silva, who has been among goals for the club right from the Durand Cup days.

Cleiton has scored five goals so far this season and is currently second in the race for the Golden Boot. Moreover, his partnership with Naorem Mahesh Singh in the last few matches has been receiving a lot of praise from many. If Cleiton is able to continue his form, we may very well see East Bengal in the playoffs.

7. Halicharan Narzary (Hyderabad FC) – 11 points

Halicharan Narzary is in very good form this season. The winger from Assam has scored three goals for the Nizams and provided two assists. He looks calm, composed, and confident on the ball and has scored some exquisite goals (the latest coming this past gameweek). Manolo Marquez would want his ace winger to continue his form in the club's bid to defend their title.

Narzary has scored thrice this season in just nine games - his career-best goal-per-match ratio. With the AFC Asian Cup knocking on the door, he would like to continue with his form to reserve a place for himself in the national team.

6. Ivan Kaliuzhnyi (Kerala Blasters) – 11 points

Kaliuzhnyi has been one of the best new entrants to the league this season. The Ukrainian started the season with a bang when he scored a brace against East Bengal in the opening game of the season. Since then, he has been able to continue with his form and contributed well to Kerala Blasters' attacking moves.

Kaliuzhnyi has scored four goals from eight games so far. He has been an important fulcrum in Ivan Vukomanovic's system and combines well with fellow players like Jeakson Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Adrian Luna, etc. to create havoc in the opponents' defence.

5. Nasser El Khayati (Chennaiyin FC) – 12 points

El Khayati is one of the bright spots for Chennaiyin FC in their not-so-bright season so far. Even though the Marina Machans are currently placed seventh, the season has been good for El Khayati, who has scored four goals and provided two assists from five games. With three-fifth of the league left, Chennaiyin FC can still finish among the top four (or six) if El Khayati is able to continue his form.

4. Bipin Singh (Mumbai City) – 12 points

Bipin Singh is the second Indian left winger on this list. He has been playing extremely well in Mumbai's fabulous season so far. He is looking lively on the left flank and combining well with players like Jorge Pereyra Díaz and Greg Stewart to create brilliant moves in Mumbai's attacking third. With his form, he has every chance of becoming the highest Indian goal-scorer by the end of the season. By the way, he's already Mumbai City's all-time top-scorer!

Bipin has scored four goals for Mumbai City in nine games so far. He has also provided two assists. Safe to say, he has played a big role in taking Mumbai to the top of the table.

3. Hugo Boumous (ATK Mohun Bagan) – 13 points

Hugo Boumous has been instrumental for ATK Mohun Bagan's attack this season, especially after the departure of striker duo Roy Krishna and David Williams. He is in a brilliant form in the attacking third for the Green & Maroons, scoring twice and providing three assists in eight games. Juan Ferrando would like him to continue in this manner if they want to realise their dream of finishing on top of the table.

2. Jorge Pereyra Díaz (Mumbai City) – 13 points

Another player on this list from Mumbai City, Jorge Pereyra Díaz, is in scintillating form. He is the current highest scorer in the league with six goals from nine games. He has also provided an assist. Most importantly, after making a shocking transfer from Kerala Blasters, he has been able to gel well with the team. His combination with Greg Stewart and Bipin Singh is paying rich dividends for the Islanders.

With the kind of form he is in, Jorge Pereyra Díaz would like to end the league as the Golden Boot winner. Given his side's attacking prowess, this is definitely a possibility.

1. Greg Stewart (Mumbai City) – 17 points

Greg Stewart is the third player from Mumbai City to feature on this list. He has been the best player in the league so far. He looks to be on his way to winning the Golden Ball Award for a second consecutive time. The former Scottish Premier League champion is the primary playmaker of Mumbai City and is proving to be the fulcrum of every move of Des Buckingham. In his nine games, he has scored twice and provided six assists, the highest by any player for now.

The 31-year-old has been consistent in creating and converting chances for the Islanders. In fact, he appears to be that piece of a puzzle that can take Mumbai City all the way to a Shield win.