IF YOU'RE GOING TO peg any club as the MVP of the transfer market ahead of the Indian Women's League final round, it has to be Gokulam Kerala FC.
Last season, the club finished 5th. They managed to not up only one win and a draw, losing 4 matches, failing to make the semi-finals by 6 points. This season, they went to business determined to make up that gap, and constructed one of the deepest squads the IWL has ever seen. They picked up youth prospects like Papki Devi (India U-19 international), local stars like Athulya KV and Reshma, and of course, scored big from the Indian national team roster that won the SAFF Women's Championship and went undefeated in the Olympic Qualifiers, falling short of progressing to next round by goal difference.
The Kozhikode-based club went for two Uganda national team strikers to bolster their attack last time around but their barn-barner of a domestic signing haul means they can go in with an all-Indian squad, but as a legitimate title contender this time, under the guidance of head coach Priya PV (former India U-19 Women's Team assistant coach).
Let's take a look at some of the players that make the Malabarians one of the teams to watch out for this season.