ISL 2025-26: Maclaren, Nawaz lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 4

Four teams are undefeated, while five teams are winless after Matchweek 4 of the ISL 2025-26 season.

While there was much concern over whether the league would take place this year, about one-third of the ISL 2025-26 season has come to an end.

The fourth match week of ISL was no different from the previous ones, with some fantastic moments on the field and AIFF doing AIFF things off the field.

The week began with a goalless draw between East Bengal and FC Goa, followed by Mohun Bagan SG‘s 5-1 demolition of Odisha FC at home.

Jamshedpur FC’s winning streak continued with a 1-0 triumph against Inter Kashi FC in the week’s third game.

In Saturday’s double header, Chennaiyin FC won their first game of the season against fierce rivals Kerala Blasters, while Bengaluru FC defeated Mohammedan to get back to winning ways.

Sporting Club Delhi came from behind to earn a point against Mumbai City in the week’s sixth game. Punjab FC and NorthEast United finished the week with an exciting 1-1 tie.

Off the field, AIFF proposed a financial plan where the federation would put ₹0 for the operations of the ISL 2025-26 and take home around ₹3.45 crores from the estimated profit of the league.

Many teams and supporters were perplexed by this, considering the AIFF had earlier committed to contribute from their own purse to the season’s operations.

Mohun Bagan SG leads the table by goal difference, while Mohammedan SC and Kerala Blasters are fighting for relegation with no points after four games.

From Maclaren’s poker to Talal’s magical skills, the week saw a number of standout individual performances.

However, here are 11 players who grabbed our attention this week and made it into the 2025/26 ISL team of the week for MW-4.

Formation: 3-4-2-1

GK: Mohammad Nawaz

Although the competition for the goalkeeping position was fierce between Albino and Nawaz, Nawaz’s double saves against Bertomeu and Naocha were simply fantastic and likely one of the finest we would see all season.

The save not only gave Chennaiyin FC all three points but also their first victory of the season.

Nawaz instils trust in the Chennaiyin defence not just with his saves but also by his proactive keeping by coming off the line, high corner claims, and ability to lead the defence.

He continues his amazing record this season with another outstanding effort.

CB: Subhasish Bose

In the ISL, it’s rare to see a defender get two assists in a match, but the Mohun Bagan SG skipper accomplished just that during their crushing defeat over Odisha FC.

Given the Mariners’ domination, Subhasish had little to do defensively, yet he was clinical in his defence, winning all of his defensive actions, including five recoveries.

Moving forward, he sent a superb first-time cross to Jamie Maclaren, who jumped forward in front of the Odisha defenders to just poke the ball into the net.

He must be grateful to his teammate Alberto, who scored a spectacular long-range goal after collecting a ball from Subhasish on the halfway line, giving Bose another assist on the night.

CB: Stephen Eze

A week with Stephen Eze in the ISL TOTW appears impossible at the moment. Eze is one of the primary reasons why Jamshedpur FC currently has the league’s joint best defensive record after four games in the ISL 2025-26 season.

Jamshedpur had to perform a lot of defensive work following Vincy’s red card, and Eze did the most of it alongside Albino Gomes, who was also superb.

Eze completed 25 successful defensive actions, including nine clearances. He scored a cheeky goal (thanks to Talal’s delivery), which separated the teams at the end of the game.

CB: Anwar Ali

With Kevin Sibille’s injury, Anwar Ali has been obliged to take on additional defensive responsibilities in order to lead his fellow players. Anwar was superb against the Gaurs, who relied largely on counterattacks and flank crosses against East Bengal.

Anwar was able to keep Ishan and Daniel quiet while also being aggressive with his interceptions and tackles, allowing East Bengal to regain the ball higher up the field and launch attacks.

He made eight recoveries and won all of his duels and tackles.

LM: Manoj Mohammed

SC Delhi earned its first point in ISL history with a draw against Mumbai City, and Manoj was instrumental in that outcome.

Playing against an in-form Chhangte, who has scored in two consecutive games, is never easy, but Manoj was up to the challenge, keeping Chhangte quiet for the whole 90 minutes with some vital last-ditch interceptions.

Despite being at fault for Diaz’s opening, Manoj made amends with 12 clearances, 5 recoveries, 3 successful duels, and, most crucially, was not dribbled past.

He also put his team back in the game with a fantastic left-footed shot from the edge of the area. His deflected shot found Babovic, who scored the equaliser.

CM: Lalremtluanga Fanai

Against Mohammedan’s young but aggressive midfield, Fanai and his new teammate Kuziev performed admirably. Fanai has been fairly consistent for the Blues this season, playing an important role in the midfield.

The teenage midfielder performed admirably against Mahitosh, Tangva, and Amarjit in midfield. Fanai completed 20 effective defensive actions, including eight duels won and four clearances.

He got an assist for Ashique’s spectacular left-footed goal.

CM: Dani Ramirez

The Punjab FC midfielder, along with Madih Talal and Miguel Figueira, has been among the league’s finest foreign midfielders this season. Since his Super Cup debut, the former Real Madrid youngster has appeared to be the Shers’ focal point in attack.

Every Punjab attack, whether from the left, right, or centre, began with Dani Ramirez in the midfield. He produced four excellent opportunities and posed a significant danger with the quality of his set pieces.

Watch out for Ramirez’s left foot; he will get more goals and assists in the coming weeks.

RM: Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco has been a key threat from the left side in Mohun Bagan SG’s attacks throughout the last couple of ISL seasons. However, head coach Sergio Lobera has assigned him a new role as a right winger this season. While he appeared to struggle in the early games, he performed excellently against Odisha FC.

He earned two beautiful assists, with Maclaren scoring on both occasions. Liston handed his old teammate Saurabh a horrible debut, effortlessly dribbling past him for both goals and setting up Jamie to finish.

He was also close to scoring in a few instances but couldn’t finish cleanly.

CAM: Madih Talal

The Talal magic is back in the ISL, this time in the colours of Jamshedpur. The French midfielder appears to be enjoying the freedom to move and create opportunities under Owen Coyle. He’s scored or assisted on three of the Red Miners’ five goals this season.

Being down to ten men against Inter Kashi, Owen Coyle’s team relied heavily on set pieces and counterattacks to get a victory.

Talal was dangerous in both circumstances, providing an assist for Stephen Eze’s winning goal with a fantastic free kick. If Jamshedpur had a lethal attack, Talal would have had at least three assists against Inter Kashi.

CAM: Imran Khan

Imran Khan joined the Marina Machans this winter but struggled to establish himself in the first few games. However, he announced himself to Chennaiyin supporters and Clifford Miranda with an Imran Khan-esque effort against the Blasters.

Imran was just outstanding on the wings, staying close to the touchline and playing lovely crosses to the far post. He sent two fantastic crosses towards Farukh and Inigo, but both of them failed to capitalise.

His line-breaking ground passes and link-up play with Maheson and Noguera were equally impressive.

He scored the game’s only goal after Hormipam deflected the ball past Arsh Anwar’s reach.

ST: Jamie Maclaren

While Youssef Ezzejjari led the ISL golden boot race with two braces in the first two games, Jamie Maclaren has scored in all four games Mohun Bagan SG has played thus far in the 2025/26 ISL season.

He scored a ‘poker’ against Odisha FC, becoming only the second player after Modou Sougou to score four goals in a single game.

Jamie delivered a sensational “number 9” performance, using all his experience to be at the right place at the right time to put the ball in the back of the net.

He even demonstrated he could be a threat on the counterattack with his brilliant finish for his fourth and the team’s fifth that night.

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