The 2021-22 season of the Indian Super League is set to kick-off on the 19th of November from the Fatorda Stadium where ATK Mohun Bagan will host the two-time runner-ups of the tournament Kerala Blasters FC. But before getting into that fixture, have a look at our prediction for the 2021-22 season:
WINNERS: MUMBAI CITY FC
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After a brilliant campaign last season, Mumbai City FC have reinforced their team with new talents, and the one to look out for is last season’s Golden boot winner, Igor Angulo who made his move from FC Goa to Mumbai earlier this year. A player to look out for in their squad is also Vikram Pratap Singh who joined the Islanders from the India Arrows last year and the young winger has a lot of potential to become a strong force in Mumbai’s forward line. A key reason why Mumbai is still favorites to win the tournament is their change in management. Des Buckingham of Melbourne City FC (a City franchise club), who brings tons of experience with him, replaces Sergio Lobera, and could really make an impact on his players.
FINALISTS: BENGALURU FC
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Finishing seventh in last season’s campaign wasn’t something Bengaluru FC were expecting and new coach Marco Pezzaiuoli has his task cut out as he looks to bring back glory to the former champions. Their key player, without a doubt, is Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri who, despite his age, has shown no signs of slowing down. Their attacking line is a formidable one too with the likes of Cleiton Silva and Ibara. Adding to that is Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who is a force to reckon with between the posts. With many key players departing, the club went on to sign five foreign players including, Iman Basafa, Price Ibarra, Bruno Ramires, Alan Costa, and Musava King making it to the squad and are certainly capable of making it to the finals.
GOLDEN BOOT: IGOR ANGULO
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If Mumbai were to retain the ISL title this coming season, there’s no doubt that Igor Angulo gets his hand on the golden boot in back-to-back seasons. In his debut season last year with FC Goa, he grabbed the attention with his goal-scoring abilities, scoring fourteen goals in twenty appearances. With a new crest on his chest this season, Angulo will look to aim higher, and with players like Ahmed Jahouh, Rowlin Borges, and Bipin Singh by his side, there is a high chance for the Spanish striker to get on the scoresheet on a regular basis and be in the reckoning for the Golden boot.
EMERGING PLAYER OF THE YEAR: MUHAMMED NEMIL
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For the Emerging player of the year award, we have to go with FC Goa’s youngest player Muhammed Nemil. During his time with the RFYC, he scored a total of 45 goals and provided 31 assists, and became a top talent before being scouted by the ISL, joining FC Goa. Since joining Goa, he spent a season at FE Grana on loan, and on his comeback to the Indian side, he made his debut in the Durand Cup in which he scored an absolute belter to become a fan favorite in no time. If he’s given more playing time by new FC Goa boss Juan Fernando, Nemil has the potential to win the emerging player award.
[Featured Image Credit: Mumbai City FC]
Shashank Iyer