The Dearth of Indian Midfield Maestros in the ISL and Its Impact on the National Team

Indian football has been witnessing a striking absence of midfield wizards in the Indian Super League (ISL), particularly in the wake of stalwarts like Ahmed Jahouh.

Jahouh’s absence in the league has raised questions about the development of Indian midfielders, as his role in dictating play for FC Goa, Mumbai City FC, and Odisha FC highlights the impact a top-class midfielder can have on a team.

Despite the rise of promising Indian midfield talents like Anirudh Thapa and Brandon Fernandes, the lack of consistent playing time in centralized midfield roles has hindered their progress.

Under Igor Stimac‘s tenure, the national team’s shift towards a possession-based style necessitates the presence of skillful midfielders who can control the tempo of the game.

The dynamics of the ISL, with its foreign player regulations, have often seen overseas midfield maestros taking center stage, leaving Indian midfielders in supporting roles.

While some Indian midfielders like Lalengmawia Ralte and Suresh Singh Wangjam have shown glimpses of promise, the struggle to establish a dominant midfield presence in the league persists.

With the World Cup qualifiers looming, the dearth of Indian midfield maestros highlights a crucial challenge for the national team’s midfield composition.

As the ISL teams continue to rely heavily on foreign midfield talents, the journey of Indian midfielders like Puitea and Lalthathanga Khawlhring becomes a focal point in the quest for midfield excellence.

Petr Kratky’s ambitious vision of winning the ISL trophy with an all-Indian lineup underscores the importance of nurturing homegrown midfield talents for a sustainable football ecosystem.