Evaluating the performance of Marquee players in Indian Super League season 2
The success of the inaugural season of the Indian Super League (ISL) saw it establish itself as one of the most popular and widely followed tournaments in the world of football. Registering the fourth highest attendance in football last year, ISL’s rise has seen it attract famed footballers who have reached the twilight of their career.The expectations surrounding these household names was sky high and although some have been able to live up to the hype, few have hardly justified their performances in this year’s tournament. The tournament came to a thrilling finish with Chennaiyin FC clinching the crown after a dramatic 3-2 win over hosts FC Goa.We look to evaluate the performance of the marquee signings of each team and their contribution to their respective sides throughout the tournament.
#1 Helder Postiga
The fairytale beginning for the Portuguese marksman ended in bitter despair as the 33-year old finds himself reeling in the stands. Playing a mere 70 minutes out of 15 games for the defending champions, the marquee signing for Atletico de Kolkata has gone unobserved throughout the tournament.
While the former Porto star did bag two goals on his debut against Chennaiyin FC, the injury suffered in the same game would ultimately seal his fate in the second edition of the ISL. A trip back to Portugal to recover didn’t pay much heed for Postiga, who couldn’t quite find a place back in Antonio Habas’plans since his return to Kolkata.
While last season’s marquee signing Luis Garcia was influential in every way possible, this season though, the story has been drastically different as Kolkata have had to rely on the determination and grit of proven players in the tournament.
Sadly for the former Tottenham striker, his Indian sojourn, which started on such a bright note, ended in despondency.