Top five Santosh Trophy players ISL, I-League Clubs should look to sign

These stars deserve to showcase their talents in the top-two divisions of the country.

Santosh Trophy 2022 has been a revelation for many upcoming talents. The traditional tournament was once a valiant competition, but has been stripped of its former reputation which portrays a lot about how Indian football functions. The sad part about the competition is that no player from the top-tier was a part of it, except Mohammad Fardin Ali Molla of ATK Mohun Bagan.

A tournament that once acted as an assessment for selection in the national team has now lost its importance. However, there are numerous players who should be eligible for a probable transfer to the Indian Super League or at least the I-League.

Here in this article, we will be discussing the top five Santosh Trophy players who can be signed by the ISL clubs. We have included players from all the main positions. Unfortunately, The list can comprise only the best five. Amanpreet Singh, who scored six goals for Punjab, Fardin Ali Molla, Ajay Alex, Soyal Joshy and Manitosh weere the other top-performing players in the competition.

5. Monotosh Chakladar (West Bengal)

The central-back had been a very strong customer at the back for West Bengal. Out of the five matches in the Santosh trophy, West Bengal managed to secure three clean-sheets. The 24-year-old Monotosh Chakladar has surely been a reliable candidate for coach Ranjan Bhattacharjee throughout the competition.

He was also the captain of the side. Unfortunately, a day prior to the final, his house was demolished by a storm. Chakladar’s performance in the final was pretty impressive.

Monotosh Chakladar has previously played for notable clubs like East Bengal, Gokulam Kerala and Mohammedan SC. Interestingly, the defender is again linked with East Bengal this time. Hopefully, if everything goes accordingly, we’ll see Chakladar signing for the Red & Golds once again.

4. Sudheer Kotikela (Karnataka)

A former member of Kickstart FC, Sudheer Kotikela is a goal-scorer by nature. In the 2020/21 Bangalore Super Division, he scored nine goals for his club. In the recently concluded Santosh Trophy, he scored eight goals, one shy of top-scorer Jesin TK.

Kotikela certainly has the ability to deliver. He shall be a vital signing for any ISL club. But yes, the Santosh Trophy or the Bangalore Super Division is certainly not a match to the top-tier tournament. Moreover, the competition will also be very high. Hence, it would be better for him to join the I-League which will help him slowly prepare himself for the ISL in the near future.

3. Priyant Kumar Singh (West Bengal)

Priyant Kumar Singh isn’t a new face in Indian football. Way back in 2009/10, as a youngster, he donned the Red & Gold colours. He came into the limelight in his very first appearance for the club, when in the Calcutta Football League, he kept a clean sheet against United SC (United SC went on to become the runners-up of the competition).

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The goalkeeper was exceptional in the Santosh Trophy. Singh went on to save a penalty against Meghalaya, which earned the side three points. The 30-year-old who plays for BSS Sporting in the CFL, can be an ideal second-choice keeper for any ISL club.

As it is, the previous edition of the competition didn’t witness any heroic deed from any top goalkeeper of our country. Hence, it won’t be a bad choice if Singh is included into their sides.

2. Jijo Joseph (Kerala)

Jijo Joseph has undoubtedly been the best midfielder in the Santosh Trophy. The Kerala skipper plays for the State Bank of India. Notably, he has scored five goals in the competition which includes a hat-trick against Rajasthan. He could have turned into a hero in the final if he had not missed the opportunities to score.

Though 29, Joseph has a lot of show left in him. A team like NorthEast United or East Bengal, who are working to strengthen their midfield can surely go after him. Even Chennaiyin FC might find a perfect play-maker and goal-creator in him.

1. Jesin TK (Kerala)

Jesin TK has been the brightest candidate in the Santosh Trophy. He created history in the semi-final when he netted three goals past Karnataka in just fifteen minutes. This is the fastest hat-trick in the history of the competition. Moreover, he added two more goals to add to Karnataka’s misery. In the entire competition, he has netted a total of nine goals.

Currently, the 22-year-old is plying his trade for Kerala United. He also has a contract till 2025. But signing in the top or the second tier of the sport would be an ideal decision for him.

The winger has been impressive for his club as well. Jesin is surely a player any ISL club would like to have in their squad. His goal-scoring abilities are just fascinating. Thus, if he later transforms into a proper No. 9, it wouldn’t be something to be shocked at.

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