Brazilian Marcelo Leite Pereira (Marcelinho) will be raring to get going after his Golden Boot exploits last season with Delhi Dynamos. <br> The electric striker's partnership with fellow frontman Emiliano Alfaro could be vital to the Pune side if it harbours any hope of getting its hand on what could be its maiden ISL title.
"He is the best player we have in our country." When you get high praise from India's talisman Sunil Chhetri, you know you're quite a talent! More praise came Jeje Lalpekhlua's way after Chennaiyin FC's new coach John Gregory likened the 26-year-old to Alan Shearer. <br> The Mizoram lad, third highest goal-scorer in ISL history, was pivotal in Chennaiyin FC's spectacular title-winning run in 2015 and he is undoubtedly the team's talisman. And should the side bounce back from its lacklustre campaign in 2016, expect Jeje to fire on all cylinders.
The Irishman is popular face in the in the English Premier League with over 100 goals to his name. He was prolific during his first spell with Tottenham Hotspur and went onto rediscover his predator like instincts with MLS side LA Galaxy, where he racked up 104 goals in 165 appearances and is the all time leading goal scorer for Republic of Ireland with 68 goals. <br> While he may not have prior experience playing in India, scoring goals is something that is not alien to him.
The Bulgarian is easily this season's box-office signing and among the galaxy of stars that will be on display in India, former Manchester United star striker Dimitar Berbatov will be grabbing the most eyeballs. A ball is yet to be kicked in the season's ISL but a potential partnership with Canadian Iain Hume already has people frothing at the mouth. <br> Six years ago, Berbatov shared the English Premier League’s golden boot award with Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, topping the scoring charts with 20 goals. And when you have someone who was a star in a star-studded side, the rest of the league should be very wary of Kerala Blasters.
The Mizoram born forward was one of two Indians picked to train at Liverpool FC's youth academy at Kirby. The second youngest scorer for India, the Indian international has only one appearance to his name in ISL. <br> However, this could be the breakthrough season for the 20-year-old as he will be hoping to become a key player for the new-look Dynamos side.
FCPC is brimming with Indian talent but the pick of the lot is winger Kean Lewis. If Marcelinho is the go to man for goals, Lewis will be the creative catalyst in attack. <br> This partnership has the potential to take the league by storm, since the two combined successfully last year at Delhi Dynamos. Another prolific ISL season could see him earn his first international cap.
Widely considered as India's best midfield player, Eugenson Lyngdoh will be the main man in the middle for defending champion ATK. The Shillong-born Indian international has already caught the eye of marquee signing Robbie Keane with the former Tottenham star praising his "cameo on the ball" and "the way he uses both feet." <br> And it was no surprise that ATK pulled out all stops to get its man as the midfielder emerged the costliest pick (Rs. 1.1 crore) in this year's player draft.
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