ISL 2017 Draft Review: FC Goa have built a tough & creative midfield with a local flavour

ONE WAY TO GATHER crowds to the stadium in support of a football club is to give the fans what they love the most. It means a lot to see one of the well known local players, a home-grown talent playing for a team that is followed closely by the locals.

FC Goa has picked around seven Goan players from the ISL Player Draft on Sunday making it a total of nine in the squad including the retained players Mandaar Rao Dessai and Laxmikanth Kattimani. This definitely must have got the fans going gaga over the pleasing Goan signings.

From goal to the foward line, we begin to analyse the FC Goa draft picks. Kattimani pretty much has established himself at the franchise, so there is no doubt he picks up the gloves in starting eleven for most time in the season. Naveen Kumar and Bruno Colaco are the other keepers should Kattimani not be picked, of which Naveen becomes second choice.

National team left back Narayan Das is an auto pick in the first eleven who came in the draft a hefty price tag. In the central defence, Chinglensana Singh a.k.a. Sana Singh, will assume his place. The other Indian defenders in the squad are not likely to get too much game time due to their inexperience. Therefore, the defence is where about two experienced foreign players will be placed.

Coming to the mid-pitch, FC Goa have built one of the most toughest midfield in the Indian Super League. The show of strength begins with retained player and popular local lad Mandaar, who goes on the left wing. Almost as tough as a brick, Pronay Halder,will guard the center of the pitch. Brandon Fernandes, the slick play-maker which be at the heart of things for FC Goa when it comes to deadly set pieces. Seriton Fernandes and Pratesh Shirodkar, in the midfield, will probably fight for their place in the starting eleven once the foreigners enter in the squad, a couple of Spanish signings, already look favourites to start. Also in the squad is developmental player, Mohammad Yasir who is 19 and may be featured to fulfil the one under-23 player in the starting eleven rule.

Jovel Martins and Anthony Dsouza are the designated attackers for FC Goa. Anthony, at 30, may play second fiddle to foreigners. Jovel might be given the nod up ahead in and must do well in the chances that he will get.

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.