Top 10 I-League players destined for the ISL

Joni Kauko is on song in the I-League and will certainly have offers from ISL clubs in the summer.

The 2024-25 I-League season is well underway as Churchill Brothers are leading the pack ahead of Inter Kashi. Quite a few players have impressed in the league so far and could soon be moving up the ranks.

Here are the top 10 I-League players who can come to the Indian Super League (ISL) next season.

10. Gursimrat Singh (Namdhari FC)

Gursimrat Singh joined Namdhari FC in the summer after playing with Garwhal FC in I-League 3. The Punjab-based defender has so far played the entire 90 minutes in all six of Namdhari FC’s I-League games, helping his club keep three clean sheets. 

With most of the season still to go, the eyes of top Indian clubs will be on Gursimrat. It has to be seen if the 26-year-old centre-back can keep up his good form.

9. Mohammed Aqib (Real Kashmir)

The Uttar Pradesh-born defender has been excellent for Real Kashmir this season. Mohammed Aqib has 2 assists in 6 I-League games and the left-back has become a fixture in his team’s backline. 

A few ISL clubs are scouting for a quality left back and if he continues doing well, Aqib might soon move up the ranks in Indian football.

8. Lamgoulen Gou Hangshing (Churchill Brothers)

Another player who has impressed for Churchill Brothers this season is Lamgoulen Gou Hangshing. The defender can play both as a centreback and a right-back and has even scored 2 goals in 7 I-League appearances this season. 

The 27-year-old was a part of Bengaluru FC’s youth academy and has been part of the Red Machines since the 2018-19 season, making close to 90 appearances in all competitions. 

7. Sebastian Gutierrez (Churchill Brothers)

The 27-year-old Colombian joined Churchill Brothers last summer on a free transfer. The attacking midfielder has given four assists and scored one goal in his six I-League appearances for far. 

Sebastian Gutierrez brings with him a lot of flair and his good performances this season have pushed his market value higher. Expect a few ISL clubs to keep an eye on the midfielder in the next few months. 

6. Stephane Binong (Delhi FC)

The 27-year-old Cameroon-based center forward joined Delhi FC from Nepal’s Butwal Lumbini FC over the summer. Stephane Binong has already hit the ground running in I-League having scored five goals in seven appearances so far. 

Averaging a goal every 76 minutes, ISL clubs could be keeping tabs on Stephane Binong. If the forward continues his goal-scoring run, we could expect a move in the upcoming summer transfer window.

5. Wayde Lekay (Churchill Brothers)

The 27-year-old joined Churchill Brothers over the summer and has impressed in his first stint in India. In his six I-League games, Wayde Lekay has scored five goals and also has an assist to his name. 

With the Red Machines currently on top of the I-League table, an automatic promotion is on the card for Lekay and his teammates. However, the forward should have other options as well if he keeps on scoring at this rate. 

4. Lalhriatpuia Lalrinfela (Aizawl FC)

Currently, the top Indian goalscorer in the I-League, expects Lalhriatpuia to have a few options from the ISL this summer. The 23-year-old has been a part of Aizawl FC since the 2023-24 season and seems to have found form for the People’s Club.

Last season, the forward didn’t score a single goal. However, in the 2024-25 I-League season Lalhriatpuia has already scored three goals in six appearances. With the Indian national football team in search of new prospects, the youngster could soon be moving to the Indian top division. 

3. Ashish Sibi (Dempo SC)

Dempo SC’s Ashish Sibi is another name making the rounds in the Indian football circuit. Playing in his first-ever I-League campaign, the goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in the league as of now. 

The 23-year-old has kept four clean sheets in six I-League games and is showing a lot of promise. Rumors suggest that a few Indian Super League clubs are already keeping an eye on Ashish Sibi. 

2. Edmund Lalrindika (Inter Kashi)

The only I-League player who is part of the Indian national football team, Edmund Lalrindika has had a good start to his 2024-25 season. In six league games, the 25-year-old has scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists to his teammate. 

Inter Kashi are currently battling for the top spot in the I-League. However, if they fail to win the league, there is still a good chance that Edmund will be picked up by an ISL club next season.

1. Joni Kauko (Inter Kashi)

It was surprising to see Joni Kauko win the ISL Shield with Mohun Bagan and then leave them to join Inter Kashi over the summer. As expected, the former representative of Finland in the European Championship has not disappointed in the I-League. 

Joni Kauko has scored one goal and recorded four assists in 6 league games and is one of the best players for Inter Kashi this season. With such amazing stats, is a return to the ISL on the cards for the midfielder? Well, it certainly looks very likely! 

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