End of marquee hangover
As seasons get longer, clubs are gradually starting to recruit players who can live up to their billing and last the distance
players with lesser standing but with greater ability to deliver on the pitch.
Last season, the number of foreign players allowed in a squad was reduced to eight. This term, it has further come down to seven. As the league tries to reduce its dependence on players from outside the country, franchises can ill-afford the luxury of signing players for purposes of garnering attention.
It is hardly a surprise then that Australian great Tim Cahill is the only big-name signing to have taken place this season.
CONTRASTING SIGNINGS
There is a stark contrast among a number of the players in the rosters of foreign players this season. For instance, Bengaluru forward Miku, who claimed to have had an offer from a club in China at the end of last season, will be aiming for another good season in front of goal to seek greener pastures abroad.
The same perhaps holds true for young Bhutanese forward Chencho Gyeltshen.
On the other hand, the likes of Cahill (Jamshedpur), Dimas Delgado (Bengaluru), Manuel Lanzarote (ATK) and many others are past their prime but still hold high value to their clubs.
With the ISL season getting longer, clubs are likely to continue taking a more pragmatic approach. As Kerala Blasters have realised after last season, bringing globally acclaimed names is well and good, but it is the impact with the boots on that truly counts.