EMERGING INDIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

 Mobashir Rahman - Jamshedpur FC

Mobashir was one of the three players who were awarded with senior team contracts after the 2017-18 season in the Jamshedpur FC reserve side. The midfielder showed solidity as he came onto the field as a late substitution in ten games to help out in the holding role. A 76.72% passing accuracy shows the 21-year-old in good light as compared to his contemporaries.

 

Komal Thatal - ATK

The first player from India's U17 World Cup squad to be signed by an ISL side had seven starts to his name along with five appearances from the bench. Playing primarily from the right wing, the Sikkim-born scored his maiden senior career goal against Bengaluru at home in superlative fashion. Thatal seemed to have picked up on pace as technique from his 14 minutes of gametime last season

 

Mohammad Nawaz - FC Goa

A discard from the squad that made it to the 2017 U17 World Cup, Nawaz was promoted to the senior side after a stellar show in the 2nd Division with the reserve side last season. He was Lobera's first-choice for the first 13 games before they got back Naveen Kumar from Kerala Blasters. The 19-year-old made 35 saves and kept 4 clean sheets.

Lalthathanga Khawlhring - NorthEast United

'Puitea', as he is fondly known, the 20-year-old returned back to his parent club after a loan spell with Aizawl FC last season. Eelco Schattorie used him in a variety of positions on the wings and in midfield. The former DSK Shivajians man clocked over 1300 minutes in 13 starts and seven appearaces from the bench.

Sahal Abdul Samad - Kerala Blasters

While Samad made his debut last season, getting only thirteen minutes of gametime, he has been the find of ISL 5. Arguably one of the brightest performers for Kerala Blasters in a relatively poor season, the Kannu-born was also called up to Stephen Constantine's list of 34 probables for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. He scored his maiden ISL goal against Chennaiyin and was deservedly bestowed with the 'Emerging player of the league' award.