Top 10 players to watch in I-League 2024-25

Last season’s ISL Shield winner Joni Kauko will be playing in the I-League this season.

The 2024-25 I-League season is set to kick off on 22nd November 2024 as Sreenidhi Deccan take on Gokulam Kerala. Here are ten foreign and Indian stars that can prove to be game-changers when the league kicks off –

10. Mario Barco (Inter Kashi)

The Spaniard joined Inter Kashi ahead of their 2023-24 I-League campaign. Barco scored 12 goals and provided 12 assists in 20 league games as his club finished fourth and missed out on promotion to the Indian Super League.

With Antonio Habas now in the mix as the manager, Inter Kashi’s hope will once again rest on their talisman as they look to get promoted at the end of the 2024-25 I-League season.

9. David Castaneda (Sreenidhi Deccan)

The 29-year-old joined Sreenidhi Deccan in September 2021 ahead of the 2021-22 I-League season. Since then, the Colombian has become a fan favourite at the club.

Castaneda has scored 38 goals and provided eight assists in his 64 games with Sreenidhi so far. He scored 11 goals in 20 I-League games last season. Hence we can expect the striker to be in the Golden Boot race once again this season.

8. Edmund Lalrindika (Inter Kashi)

Quite a few eyes would be on Lalrindika in the 2024-25 I-League season. The Inter Kashi star is the only player from Indian football’s 2nd division to currently represent the Indian national football team.

Edmund Lalrindika made 31 appearances for Inter Kashi last season, scoring seven goals and giving nine assists to his teammates. This is the 25-year-old’s second season in the I-League with the Uttar Pradesh-based club.

7. Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia (Aizawl FC)

The 24-year-old joined Aizawl FC from Delhi FC last season and was the standout performer for the club. Lalbiaknia scored 15 goals and provided three assists in 15 I-League games last season.

Manolo Marquez is in search of a striker for the Indian national football team. If Lalbiaknia continues his sublime form, he could be in contention for a spot in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers squad.

6. Saido Berahino (Rajasthan United)

If you religiously follow the Premier League and English football in particular, Saido Berahino would be a name that’s quite familiar. The 31-year-old has played for the likes of West Brom, Brentford, Stoke City, and Sheffield Wednesday before making a move to India.

Berahino arrives at Rajasthan United with a lot of expectations on his shoulders given his pedigree. This is the striker’s first move outside of Europe and hence it would be interesting to see how he performs.

5. Joni Kauko (Inter Kashi)

The 2023-24 ISL Shield winner joined his coach Antonio Habas in making a move from Mohun Bagan to the I-League over the summer. In Joni Kauko, Inter Kashi have a reliable midfield general who can play both defensively and centrally.

The former Finland international has six goals and 10 assists in 40 ISL appearances. With quite a few hungry teammates by his side, Kauko might be a contender to be the player of the tournament in this I-League season.

4. Juan Mera (Churchill Brothers)

After playing with Punjab FC in the 2023-24 ISL season, Juan Mera is back in the I-League. The midfielder made a move to Churchill Brothers over the summer and is now keen to become a two-time I-League champion.

Juan Mera’s flexibility to play in multiple positions will be the key for Churchill Brothers. So far, the Spaniard has scored 13 goals and has provided seven assists in 41 I-League games having represented Punjab FC, Neroca FC, and East Bengal in the league.

3. Jagdeep Singh (Sreenidhi Deccan)

The 23-year-old is a Bengaluru FC youth team graduate. Jagdeep will be representing Sreenidhi Deccan for the second consecutive I-League season.

So far, the centre back has played 25 games for his club and has also scored three goals. Quite a few Indian Super League clubs will be keeping an eye on the defender as he takes the field for Sreenidhi Deccan this season.

2. Martin Chaves (Gokulam Kerala)

The former NorthEast United player has represented Rajasthan United and Churchill Brothers in the last two seasons. Following a successful spell with the Goan club, Martin Chaves has made a move to Gokulam Kerala this summer.

An attacking midfielder by trait, Chaves brings with him a ton of experience playing on Indian soil. The Uruguayan had scored five goals and provided six assists in 22 I-League appearances for Churchill Brothers last season. Hence, Gokulam Kerala would be expecting something similar this term.

1. Brandon Vanlalremdika (Sreenidhi Deccan)

In Brandon, Sreenidhi Deccan have an I-League veteran who has played a total of 114 games in the league. This is the 30-year-old’s second season with the Southern club having already played for the likes of Aizawl, East Bengal, Mohammedan SC, and Punjab FC in the past.

Brandon Vanlalremdika joined Sreenidhi Deccan in the second half of the 2023-24 season. The midfielder made 10 I-League appearances following his move from Punjab FC. In this, he scored two goals and provided three assists to his teammates.

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