ISL 2021-22: Top Five Indian youngsters who stand a chance to win the Emerging Player Award this season – The best thing about the Indian Super League this season has been the rise of Indian youngsters. The Indians have till now grabbed their opportunities this season and it is refreshing to see the domestic players coming out on the forefront.
The sound of the ball hitting the bar and the back of the net 👌
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— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 29, 2021
The Indian Super League has given the platform for several young Indian talents over the years. Most of these players have gone onto represent the Indian national team and have been stalwarts for their respective ISL outfits. Follow ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
Here are the top five youngsters from Indian Super League 2021-22 who are main contenders to win the Hero Emerging Player award:
Jeakson Singh (Kerala Blasters)
When Jeakson Singh rose the highest to head home India U-17 team’s only goal at the World Cup, Indian football fans knew that he was a special talent. Jeakson honed his skills at Indian Arrows and then got his big break when Kerala Blasters signed him in 2018 and loaned him back to the Arrows.
He finally made his debut in the ISL for the Blasters in 2019. Since then he has left a great mark on the team. Former Kerala Blasters head coach Kibu Vicuna even used him as a centre back. However, he realised his true potential under Ivan Vukomanovic this season. The 20-year-old midfielder has been rock solid in midfield for the Kochi based outfit.
Jeakson this season has played a massive role in Kerala Blasters’ rise with a passing accuracy of high 87% coupled with 20 interceptions, 17 blocks and 14 clearances from the eight matches this season. He is surely a contender for the ” Emerging Award’ this season.
Jitendra Singh (Jamshedpur FC)
Coming from the same U17 India batch and also the same Indian Arrows batch, versatile midfielder Jitendra Singh has risen to prominence this season under Owen Coyle at Jamshedpur FC. The Men of Steel needed someone who could control the midfield and at the same time add some stability and Jitendra Singh became the perfect player for them. The Kolkata based footballer was predominantly a defender and later was changed into a defensive midfielder by Coyle this season.
Jitendra’s performances have remained very consistent this season though he has a lot to improve. The 20-year-old has a passing accuracy of 79% and has made seven interceptions along with four clearances and as many blocks. However, his primary strength is the energy that he brings to the midfield. He still has a mind of a defender and therefore he has superior game reading abilities than the players of his age.
ISL 2021-22: Top Five Indian youngsters who stand a chance to win the Emerging Player Award this season
Vikram Pratap Singh (Mumbai City FC)
The young winger who started his career at Chandigarh Football Academy gradually rose to the scene with consistent performances at youth levels. His first big break came when he joined Indian Arrows in 2018 and then became the captain for the AIFF Development team in the following season. His performances for India at several age group levels has caught the eyes of several top ISL outfits and finally, Mumbai City FC showed the trust in the 19-year-old in 2020.
Although he joined the Islanders last season, he rose to the scene this year under the tutelage of Des Buckingham. Vikram Pratap is known for his lightning speed, fearless attitude and his great eye for goals. The teenage sensation has more game time this season and has done justice to that trust. He scored twice against ATK Mohun Bagan and has been a vital player for Buckingham this season. Although he has not played each and every game but the 19-year-old is improving at a brisk rate and is surely a contender for the prestigious award.
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Ruivah Hormipan (Kerala Blasters)
The Manipuri based defender is one of the breakthrough stars for the Kerala Blasters this season. Ruivah Hormipan’s inclusion to the starting eleven has brought great balance to this Kerala Blasters lineup. The former RoundGlass Punjab centre back has been pivotal in the Tuskers’ fine run this season. Although he has only featured in three matches this season, he has had a tremendous impact in those games.
It was tough for the youngster to fill the void left by veteran defender Enes Sipovic in the Kerala backline. But to come out of his first two games against Mumbai City and Chennaiyin FC with clean sheets has to be a massive task for Hormipan. The 20-year-old centre back has a great future ahead and his performances alongside Marco Leskovic in defence have given enough reasons for Ivan Vukomanovic to try him again in the future games.
Liston Colaco (ATK Mohun Bagan)
Lastly, the man who is simply running away with the ‘Emerging Player Award” has to be ATK Mohun Bagan’s Liston Colaco. A youngster from Davorlim, who made the first mark as a footballer back in Salgaocar when he finished as the top scorer in the 2016-17 Goa Professional League. He was immediately signed by FC Goa. He made his ISL debut for the Gaurs under the tutelage of Sergio Lobera. Liston showed a lot of promise during his FC Goa stint and therefore Hyderabad FC were quick to pounce on the youngster in the January window in 2020.
He was a star performer for the Nizams under head coach Manolo Marquez last season. He scored twice along with three assists and guided Hyderabad FC to a fifth-placed finish. His performances for Hyderabad FC caught th eye of Antonio Habas and the Mariners decided to pay a huge transfer fee in securing his services. While there were critics who thought this was a rash decision, Liston has shown his goalscoring prowess this season for the Green and Maroons.
He has been a star in attack for Habas and now for Juan Ferrando having scored five goals in eight matches this season along with an assist. He has been by far the most standout Indian player this season and is truly a strong contender for the ‘Emerging Player Award’.
ISL 2021-22: Top Five Indian youngsters who stand a chance to win the Emerging Player Award this season
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