Best Midfielders of ISL 7
There have been some superb midfield performers in ISL7, We Look at the best and most consistent midfielders of ISL 7.
Edu Bedia:
Given his fantastic form for FC Goa this season it is surprising that Edu Bedia was not a starter for FC Goa in ISL 6. This season with the departures of midfielders Ahmed Jahouh and Hugo Boumous, Edu Bedia was handed the captaincy and the Spaniard has led from the front. The 31-year-old has dictated play from deep and helped FC Goa take control of possession. Despite playing in a deeper midfield role Edu Bedia has proved his class with 3 assists. The former Barcelona B midfielder runs the show for FC Goa linking taking the ball from the defence and distributing it to FC Goa’s creative players like Noguera and Mendoza. The former Spain under 21 star has completed 889 passes, most by a player in ISL 7 and the only player to complete more than 800 passes in ISL 7. Edu Bedia also has made 28 interceptions, most by a FC Goa player in ISL 7 highlighting his reading of the game.
Hugo Boumous:
The tricky playmaker swapped FC Goa for Mumbai City and has continued his fine form for the Islanders. The 25-year-old has 7 assists, joint most by a player in ISL 7. The Moroccan has created 38 chances, only Gallego has created more chances in ISL 7. Boumous has completed 27 dribbles 3rd highest in ISL 7, highlighting his trickery. Teams have usually defended deep against Mumbai and usually it is Hugo Boumous who has unlocked the packed defences more often than not, the playmaker’s highlight this season was the superb back heeled assist winner for Ogbeche against ATK Mohun Bagan.
Facundo Pereyra
For the last couple of seasons Kerala Blasters had missed a quality creative midfielder, until ISL 7 where Facundo Pereyra arrived from European side Apol Limassol and impressed with his passing and creativity. Despite playing in 3 different positions, Facundo’s creative output has remained the same. The Argentine has 3 assists, his 3 assists are the joint most by a Kerala player. The 33-year-old has created 34 chances, which was the most by a player in ISL 7 till his injury. The playmaker has completed 17 take ons which is also the most by a Kerala player, highlighting his technical quality.
Federico Gallego:
Gallego after his injury struggled to make the same impact before his injury, however recently he seems to have turned a corner and has led the NorthEast revolution since Khalid Jamil’s arrival. Gallego has scored 4 goals, among midfielders only Mendoza has scored more in ISL 7. The Uruguayan also 4 assists all have come after Khalid Jamil’s arrival. The 30-year-old has created 43 chances, most by a player in ISL 7, highlighting his technical quality and eye for the pass. The Highlanders will be delighted that Gallego has finally completely recovered from his nasty career threatening injury and is leading their charge to the semi-finals.
Noguera Ripoli
FC Goa lost arguably the 2 best players last season in Coro and Hugo Boumous, but FC Goa came up with excellent replacements in Angulo and Noguero Ripoli. Noguera Ripoli is another one who has impressed in ISL 7 with his passing and vision. While the focus has been mostly on Angulo, Mendoza, Brandon or Edu Bedia, the Spaniard Noguera has quietly been effective without grabbing the headlines. Noguera has 7 assists, joint most along with Boumous in ISL 7. The 31-year-old has created 35 chances, 3r most by a player in ISL 7. The former Atletico Madrid midfielder has also contributed defensively making 33 successful tackles, joint 5th most by a player in ISL 7, highlighting his all-round game.
