ISL 2016: Marquee signings, team news and fixtures for all eight clubs

Spanning across India, the third season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to start on 1 October, with NorthEast United FC set to take on Kerala Blasters at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The ISL has captured the Indian public’s imagination in its first two editions. With average viewership soaring to 170 million in its inaugural season, the league was proof that there is sizeable interest and support for Indian football. Mumbai City FC, who have never progressed past the group stage, are finally being considered among the favourites for the title, in no small part to their formidable front line of former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan and India’s all-time top goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri. Marquee players and coaches: Atletico de Kolkata: Helder Postiga; coach: Jose Fransisco Molina Kerala Blasters: Aaron Hughes; coach: Steve Copell Mumbai City FC: Diego Forlan; coach: Alexandre Guimares FC Goa: Lucio da Silva; coach: Zico Chennaiyin FC:  John Arne Riise; coach: Marco Materazzi FC Pune City: TBA; coach: Antonio Habas Delhi Dynamos:  Florent Malouda; coach: Gianluca Zambrotta Northeast United FC:  Didier Zokora; coach: Nelo Vingada Team news Mumbai City FC: Home stadium — Andheri Sports Complex [caption id=“attachment_3028740” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Mumbai City FC players in training. Image courtesy: Indian Super League website[/caption] Much like the rest of the ISL, Mumbai City FC’s squad carries a distinct South American flavour. Spearheading their attack is marquee signing Diego Forlan. The Uruguayan needs no introduction and Mumbai needs his goals upfront. Especially given Sunil Chettri is on AFC duty with Bengaluru FC and would not be able to play at least the first five games, Forlan needs to shoulder more responsibility. Mumbai will look to new coach Alexander Guimares to push their campaign forward. If they are to do better than the seventh and sixth place finishes managed in 2014 and 2015, they will need Forlan and Chhetri, and also midfielder Jackichand Singh, to be at their best. Jackichand is another player who was signed by Mumbai at the close season from state rivals Pune City FC. Goalkeepers**:** Albino Gomes, Roberto Valpato Netto Defenders**:** Aiborlang Khongjee, Anwar Ali, Gerson Vieira, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Lucian Goian, Walter Ibanez, Ashutosh Mehta, Facundo Cardozo, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Munmun Lugun Midfielders**:**   Boithang Haokip, David Lalrinmuana, Jackichand Singh, Krisztian Vadocz, Leo Costa, Pronay Halder, Matias Defederico, Sony Norde, Rakesh Oram, Sehnaj Singh Forwards**:** Diego Forlan, Gaston Sangoy, Sunil Chhetri Atletico de Kolkata: Home Stadium — Rabindra Sarobar Stadium [caption id=“attachment_3028730” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Marquee Player Hélder Postiga, Iain Hume and Arnab Mandal along with Mr. Sanjiv Goenka, Co-owner Atlético de Kolkata.[/caption] The Sourav Ganguly-owned side have been looked upon as the favorites in both tournaments and also won the first edition, but failed at the semi-final stage last year. New coach Jose Fransisco Molina will be expected to win this year’s title after last year’s near miss. With a largely unchanged core, it is imperative that Kolkata reaches the play-offs at the very least. Pivotal to their chances will be Helger Postiga. The Portuguese striker was stretchered off last season in the initial stages of the tournament and will be looking to make 2016 his year. With a strong Spanish contingent behind him, creating chances would not be an issue, primarily due to their time playing together. Goalkeepers**:** Debjit Majumder, Dani Mallo, Shilton Paul Defenders**:** Arnab Mondal, Keegan Pereira, Pritam Kotal, Kingshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Robert Lalthlamuana, Pablo Gallardo, Tiri Midfielders**:** Abinash Ruidas, Bikramjit Singh, Bikash Jairu, Jewel Raja,  Lalrindika Ralte, Bidyananda Singh, Javi Lara,  Sameehg Doutie, Borja Fernandez, Stephen Pearson Forwards**:** Lain Hume, Juan Belencoso, Helder Postiga FC Goa: Home Stadium — Fatorda Stadium As discussed by Firstpost earlier, FC Goa coach Zico will be looking at his largely Brazilian contingent to push them to the play-offs. They have retained their marquee player in Lucio, and have the advantage of a well-settled side going into ISL 2016. Goa also made some good Indian acquisitions, in the form of Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Denzil Franco and Robin Singh to add personnel to flair. But with a final and semi-final finish in the past two editions, the Goans will be itching to go one beyond and make 2016 their year. Goalkeeper: Laxmikanth Kattimani, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Sukhdev Patil Defender: Denzil Michael Franco, Fulganco Cardozo, Luciano Sobrosa, Debabrata Roy, Lucio, Raju Gaikwad, Rafael Dumas, Gregory, Keenan Almeida, Sanjay Balmuchu Midfielder: Joffre Mateu Gonzalez, Mandar Rao Dessai, Romeo Fernandes, Sahil Tavora, Matheus Trindade, Richarlyson, Pratesh Shirodkar, Forward: Rafael Coelho Luiz, Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliveira, Robin Singh, Julio Cesar Delhi Dynamos: Home Stadium — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium [caption id=“attachment_3028732” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Delhi Dynamos players in training. Image courtesy: Facebook/@DelhiDynamosFC[/caption] Delhi Dynamos are what you would call a mid-table club in the ISL. In both the 2014 and 2015 editions, they were expected to do better than their fifth and fourth positions achieved, especially given the high profile signing of Alessandro del Piero in the first season and Roberto Carlos as manager in the second season. But a trip to the semis is the best the Dynamos have done till date. The onus will be Florent Malouda to make this a worthwhile campaign for Delhi. He will be supported by Richard Gatze as a forward but they will miss Indian international Robin Singh. Coach Gianluca Zambrotta has his task cut out as it doesn’t look like Delhi can make the top-4 this year, in light of Mumbai strengthening their squad and all other top teams expanding their already settled cores. Goalkeeper: Sanjiban Ghosh, Soram Anganba, Toni Doblas Defender**:** Chinglensana Konsham Singh, Anas Edathodika, Lalchhawnkima, Lalruatthara, David Addy, Ruben, Ibrahima Niasse, Rupert Nongrum, Souvik Chakraborty Midfielder**:** Bruno Pelissari, Milan Singh, Florent Malouda,  Marcos Tebar, Denson Devadas, Emerson Moura, Malsawmzuala Forward**:** Arjun Tudu, Marcelo Leite Pereira, Richard Gadze, Badara Badji, Kean Lewis, Amoes Do Kerala Blasters FC: Home stadium — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium For a team that boasts of the highest average attendance among all the teams in the ISL, their performance last year was a massive letdown. To go from missing out on the first ever ISL league title by a whisker to coming last in the 2015 edition, Kerala Blasters’ fall from grace has been a sober reminder of the cutthroat nature of the league. But hiring coach Steve Copell and marquee signing Aaron Hughes are seen as efforts by Kerala to once again make their way back to the top. Hughes and former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra need to steady the ship and provide a solid base for Sachin Tendulkar’s side. Goalkeeper: Graham Stack, Sandip Nandy, Kunal Sawant, Mohammad Ansari Defender: Aaron Hughes, Gurwinder Singh, Cedric Hengbart, Pratik Chaudhari, Sandesh Jhingan Midfielder: Ishfaq Ahmed, Josu Currias, Mehtab Hossain, Azrack Mahamat, Didier Boris Kadio, Elhadji Ndoye, Vinit Rai Forward: Antonio German, Kervens Belfort,  Mohammed Rafi, Michael Chopra, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Mohammad Rafique, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Farukh Chaudhary FC Pune City: Home stadium — CSM, Balewadi Pune appears to be the weakest team on paper this season. Luck has not been on their side after marquee player Eidur Gudjohnsen and Andre Bikey were ruled out of this year’s campaign. What they do have working for them is manager Antonio Habas. The Spaniard has been successful in the ISL, leading Atletico de Kolkata to the title in the inaugural season, and he will be looking to replicate the same with Pune as well. Pune also boast of a strong Indian contingent. With Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Gouramangi Singh running the roost, Pune have a decent chance of surprising experts and pundits and qualifying to the play-offs. Goalkeepers: Apoula Edima Edel Bete, Arindam Bhattacharya, Vishal Kaith Defenders: Eduardo Ferreira, Augustine Melwyn Fernandes, Rahul Shankar Bheke, Narayan Das, Yumnam Raju, Dharamraj Ravanan, Zodingliana Ralte Midfielders: Arata Izumi, Francis Fernandes, Bruno Herrero Arias, Jonatan Lucca, Pitu, Gustavo Oberman, Sanju Pradhan, Lenny Rodrigues, Manish Maithani, Momar Ndoye Forwards: Anibal Zurdo Rodriguez, Gustavo Oberman, Jesus Radriguez Tato NorthEast United FC: Home stadium — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Didier Zokora, Mailson and Subrata Paul — NorthEast United FC have a rock-solid combination in all three departments and that makes them one of the favorites to win ISL 2016. NEUFC’s performances last season merited a semi-final spot, but the John Abraham-owned team unfortunately missed out on a spot at the big boys’ table. This year, under coach Nelo Vingada, their defence could be pivotal. Indian international Nirmal Chettri will be tasked with keeping the likes of Diego Forlan and Helger Postiga out. Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul, Wellington Gomes, Rehenesh Paramba Defender: Gustavo Lazzaretti, Mailson Alves, Nirmal Chettri, Reagan Singh, Salam Ranjan Singh, Shouvik Ghosh, Robin Gurung Midfielder: Didier Zokora, Fanai Lalrempuia, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Katsumi Yusa, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rowlin Borges, Seityasen Singh, Wellington Priori, Holicharan Narzary, Kofi Christian N’dri Forward: Sasha Aneff, Nicolas Vélez, Sumit Passi, Robert Cullen, Emiliano Alfaro Chennaiyin FC: Home stadium — Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium [caption id=“attachment_3028738” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Chennaiyin FC players at the unveiling of their team for the third season.[/caption] The defending champions are what they are for a reason. With Italian Marco Materazzi at the helm and India’s top goal scorer from ISL 2015 Jeje Lalpheklua in attack, Chennaiyin will start favorites to lift the title once again. But they will be missing Brazilian Elano and Stiven Mendoza in their line-up. Their marquee player this season remains Norwegian John Arne Riise. He will be complemented at the back by Indian international Mehrajuddin Wadoo. Overall, Chennaiyin display balance, and that will be key to their first title defence. Goalkeepers: Duwayne Kerr, Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar Defenders: Jerry Lalrinzuala, Bernard Mendy, Eli Sabia, John Arne Riise, Nallappan Mohanraj, Eder Fernandes, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Abhishek Das. Midfielders: Siam Hanghal, Thoi Singh, Dhanpal Ganesh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Khabra, Manuele Blasi, Hans Mulder, Baljit Sahni Forwards: Jayesh Rane, Baljit Sahni, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Uttam Rai, Davide Succi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Maurizio Peluso, MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi. Read more:  All the ISL match schedules, fixtures and ticket information can be found here .