Top 10 Indian players to watch out for in I-League 2021-22

The players will have a point to prove in the upcoming campaign.

The I-League has always given a plethora of experience to the future guns of Indian football. This season, the league will once again be held behind closed doors in West Bengal due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India. I-League 2021-22 will be the 15th edition of the league since its inauguration in 2007.

After the highs and lows of last season, teams will be keen to hit the ground running. Gokulam Kerala will have added pressure upon them to defend their crown and other teams will try everything in their power to take home the illustrious title. With the 2021-22 I-League season knocking at our door, Khel Now takes a look at the top 10 Indian players to watch out for in the upcoming campaign.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

10. Bryce Miranda (Churchill Brothers)

The young winger has come up through the ranks of FC Goa and was a part of their reserve team. He was roped in by Churchill Brothers ahead of last season. Bryce has made 16 appearances ever since signing for the Goan side and has also scored a goal.

Moreover, his good form from last season earned him his first national team call-up for the AFC U-23 Championship Qualifiers. He will be keen to build upon this confidence in order to help his side in the upcoming I-League campaign.

9. Azharuddin Mallick ( Mohammedan SC)

The striker has been in top form ever since signing for the Kolkata outfit. Mallick was a driving force behind Mohammedan Sporting’s dream run to the final in the latest edition of the Durand Cup.

He scored three goals and created many chances for his side in just six games and helped them clinch the runners-up medal. Moreover, Mallick was also among the goals in last season’s I-League and will be looking to build upon his exploits.

8. Sukhjit Singh (Rajasthan United)

The midfielder was an ever-present figure in the middle of the park for Rajasthan United. He started all six games at the recently concluded I-League Qualifiers and led them to glory.

Sukhjit scored two goals and helped Rajasthan United attain promotion to I-League 2021-22. The 25-year-old will want to start from where he had left off in the upcoming edition of the I-League.

7. Emil Benny (Gokulam Kerala)

A winger by trade, Benny has already made it to the headlines for his wonderful goal for Gokulam Kerala that won them their first I-League title.

The 21-year-old’s ability to take on defenders with his pace makes him even more dangerous on counter-attacks. Last season, Emil Benny scored three goals and provided two assists for his teammates in 14 I-League matches.

[KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

6. Aman Thapa (Rajasthan United)

Thapa displayed his attacking attributes in the recently concluded I-League Qualifiers for Rajasthan United. The winger was a livewire on the right flank throughout and dropped in some sensational performances for his side.

He played every minute in Rajasthan United’s historic campaign. Thapa found the back of the net twice in six matches for his side and helped them gain promotion to I-League 2021-22.

5. Faisal Ali (Mohammedan SC)

Faisal was outstanding in the recently concluded Durand Cup. The winger played a huge role in Mohammedan Sporting’s run to the final against FC Goa. He scored two goals and provided two assists in last season’s I-League in 11 matches.

In the Durand Cup, Faisal got more and better opportunities and he did make all of them count. He operated as a winger and an attacking midfielder for the Kolkata giants and also found the back of the net once. 

4. Phrangki Buam (Mohammedan SC)

The attacker is considered to be one of Meghalaya’s most talented players. He has come up through Shillong Lajong’s youth setup and has also gone on to make first-team appearances for them.

He can play in multiple positions across the frontline and also behind the striker. Buam’s swiftness on the wings and calmness in the final third make him an important part of the Black Panthers’ attacking setup.

3. Phalguni Singh (Sreenidhi Deccan)

I-League debutants Sreenidhi Deccan made their intentions clear after securing the services of Phalguni Singh. The midfielder became a hot property in the transfer market after his heroics with TRAU last season.

The Manipuri midfielder was adjudged as the "Best Midfielder" in the 2020-21 I-League season for his all-round performance across the pitch. The 26-year-old scored three goals and provided one assist in what was a season to remember for TRAU FC.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

2. Bikash Yumnam (RoundGlass Punjab)

Often considered to be one of India’s best prospects, Bikash Yumnam has already made a mark for himself, but there’s a long way to go. The 18-year-old featured in ‘The Guardian’s list of top 60 footballers for the next generation in 2020’ and gained international spotlight.

Yumnam became the first Indian to feature alongside the elites of Europe courtesy of his long throws. Last season, he made nine appearances for the Punjab-based side and will be looking to add more caps to his name this time around in I-League 2021-22.

1. Subho Paul (Sudeva Delhi)

The 17-year-old was recently selected by German giants Bayern Munich for their U-19 World Squad. Subho made it to the elite company of 15 young players from different countries and by doing so, he became the first Indian to feature in that list.

He’s a U-17 India youth international and has scored eight goals in 11 outings for the Blue Colts. Subho is a young goalscoring machine and has already scored two goals in 10 outings. He will be keen to add more goals to his tally in I-League 2021-22.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.