Delhi Dynamos All-time ISL XI: Marcelinho, Malouda take lead

The capital-based side were amongst the top teams in the first few seasons.

Delhi Dynamos were one of the eight franchises that came into existence in the year 2014 when the Indian Super League (ISL) was started as a private league tournament. The club was home to many superstars like Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, John Arne Riise and Florent Malouda. They were also vital for providing exposure to current national team stars such as Anas Edathodika and Pritam Kotal.

Unfortunately, the club lasted only five years since their inception, as off-field issues forced the management to shift base to Bhubaneswar. Nonetheless, we at Khel Now have compiled an all-time XI of Delhi Dynamos:

Goalkeeper: Antonio Doblas

The Spanish goalkeeper was part of two successful campaigns of the team when they reached the playoffs on both occasions, but fell short in the semi-finals. Antonio played a combined 24 games in both the seasons, making 71 saves and conceding 25 goals.

Right-Back: Souvik Chakrabarti

Souvik played 35 games in total for the capital-based side in the first three seasons. He was also part of the two Delhi Dynamos sides which made it to the playoffs twice. The 27-year-old was the go-to man for then coaches Roberto Carlos and Gianluca Zambrotta at the right-back spot.

Centre-Back: Pritam Kotal

Pritam Kotal has been one of the most versatile defenders in the ISL. He played 24 games for the Dynamos in his one and half year stay, before making a switch to ATK in January, 2019. Kotal scored two goals during his stay in the capital and also captained the side in the first half of the 2018-19 campaign.

Centre-Back: Anas Edathodika

Anas was part of Delhi Dynamos in the second and third seasons of the ISL. Although, he burst very late into the team considering his age, then coach Roberto Carlos saw his talent and gave him a chance in 2015, as he made a record 163 clearances in 14 appearances. In the subsequent campaign, he led the Dynamos from the back as the team reached the playoffs once again.

Left-Back: John Arne Riise

The Liverpool legend who was in the twilight of his playing career plied his trade for Delhi Dynamos in the second season of the Indian Super League. The Norwegian who was mostly deployed at left-back also played as a centre-back as and when required. The 39-year-old made 12 appearances and notched up a solitary goal.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Milan Singh

Milan Singh was the find of Gianluca Zambrotta in his first season in-charge at Delhi Dynamos. The midfielder did all the dirty work in the middle of the park. He also contributed to the side with his long-range shooting, he scored a couple of goals for the team too.

Central Midfielder: Marcos Tebar

Marcos Tebar played for Delhi Dynamos in two different stints. In his first stint in the year 2016, he notched up three assists to help his team reach the playoffs. In 2018-19, he made a return to the Delhi side and scored another goal and provided a couple of assists in a rather disappointing season.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda is yet another superstar to make our all-time XI. The former Chelsea star played two seasons with the Dynamos and led them to playoffs as many times. Malouda was one of the first players on the team-sheet despite his age. In the 32 games he played, he registered 11 assists and three goals.

Right Winger: Kean Lewis

Kean Lewis might have only played a solitary season for the Dynamos, but it was a very fruitful one. In 2014, he was one of the standout Indian performers in the ISL. He was an undisputed starter in the team and appeared in all 14 games, scoring four goals and assisting another two.

Left Winger: Lallianzuala Chhangte

Lallianzuala Chhangte has been one of the promising young players during recent times. In 2017, he signed for Delhi Dynamos and remarkably went on to feature in all the games in his two-year stint at the club.

His blistering pace upfront and combination with the strikers made him an instant star. Soon, he was called up for the national team by then head coach Stephen Constantine. In his 36 games for Delhi, Chhangte scored eight goals and delivered four assists.

Striker: Marcelinho

The Brazilian forward was the Golden Boot award-winner of the third season of the Indian Super League in 2016, after he scored 10 goals in 15 appearances. He was one of the crucial cogs behind Delhi Dynamos' run towards the playoffs. His physique and goal-poaching qualities made him a ruthless attacker.

Head Coach: Gianluca Zambrotta

Delhi Dynamos had five different head coaches at the helm in their five years of existence, but our pick would be former Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta.

In his one-year stint, he guided them to a playoffs finish once. After the completion of his contract, Zambrotta went to China and served as an assistant coach at Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.