ISL 2017: Top 5 hottest prospects to watch out for this season
The ISL is coming back this November with excitement, glitz and flashiness to rock football in India like never before! And with a new plethora of youngsters who have been signed by various clubs in order to give them a chance to display their talent, it doesn't get more exciting than this.
The ISL, in its three years of existence, has shown the world what a platform it is for the developing youngsters. And not only Indians, this cash-rich league has also been an excellent platform for the foreign youngsters who have been able to earn a name for themselves only after playing in the ISL.
Of course, Sandesh Jhingan is the best example! From an unknown talent to India captain. But it is not just limited to Jhingan; there are many others too. Josu Currais, Romeo Fernandes, Nico Velez, Gustavo Dos Santos, Anas Edathodika all developed in this very league!
And this season? Obviously, there will be some unknown names who will emerge this season too, the season which is being dubbed as "the biggest and best of all ISL seasons till date". The rules have been modified exactly to do that, to allow more youngsters to rise through the ranks.
So, we here bring you the brightest of youngsters who can emerge out of their ranks and become superstars this coming season.
Note: Only players below the age of 23 have been included. Also, this list doesn't feature players who have earned a national cap.
#5 Nishu Kumar (Bengaluru FC)
Nishu Kumar is undoubtedly Bengaluru FC' s most exciting young prospect this season, leaving out Udanta Singh who has already won an international cap earlier this year.
The 20-year-old, who primarily plays as a left back is a vital cog for the junior national team and also was an important contributor in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers held in Qatar recently. So much was his contribution that head coach Stephen Constantine, included him in all the fixtures and camps of the senior team after coming back from Qatar though he is yet to earn a national cap.
It will be a tough task for Nishu Kumar as a defender, to stop or even tackle the likes of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, but will help him the other way as he will gain invaluable experience from these matches.