Hero Indian Super League (ISL) expert Paul Masefield picks his team for Matchweek 10 of the Hero ISL 2022-23 season, having Gurmeet Singh in goal, ahead of an all-Indian backline.

Masefield chose a mix of players from five different clubs in his playing XI, consisting of two foreign players in the midfield and two in the attack.

For the pick of head coach, he chose Chennaiyin FC’s Thomas Brdaric for showcasing a scintillating show in their 7-3 win and for providing one of the best spectacles in the season so far.

Here goes Paul Masefield’s Team of the Week:   

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Goalkeeper
Gurmeet Singh (Hyderabad FC)

Clean sheet against East Bengal FC. For me, a young man stepping into the shadow of (Laxmikant) Kattimani and standing upto the task. I thought he was absolutely outstanding, that’s why he’s my goalkeeper.

Defenders

RB: Nikhil Poojary (Hyderabad FC)

No matter what you say about him, he goes up and down the pitch whether he’s playing left-back, right-back, left-wing, or right-wing. Wherever he is (on the pitch), he’s absolutely fantastic, and the game - because it was a clean sheet - that’s why he is in the team of the week.

CB: Pritam Kotal (ATK Mohun Bagan)

Sometimes you need your defenders to dig in and dig deep, and I think Pritam showed real maturity and he is one of the best defenders or one of the best Indian defenders in the league. Again, it was another outstanding performance from him.

CB: Anwar Ali (FC Goa)

3-0 win for FC Goa against Odisha FC. You’ve got to keep Pedro Martin, (Diego) Mauricio quiet, and I thought he did that extremely well. He’s becoming a very accomplished centre-back and I like him a lot.

LB: Subhasish Bose (ATK Mohun Bagan)

I’d have him to secure the back four. Again, another clean sheet. Everyone in my back four and the goalkeeper have kept a clean sheet this week. Again, purely and simply, the workrate flying up, creating and causing problems, nearly scoring a header as well, which is obviously a bonus, but the rest are the defensive duties I’m looking at.

Midfielders

LM: Rahul KP (Kerala Blasters FC)

The reason I’ve chosen him is because of his immense workrate, an unbelievable work ethic that he has. He was up and down that wing for Kerala Blasters FC and he was unbelievable in my opinion. Tackling all the way back on the six-yard box, going forward and almost scoring goals, that’s why Rahul KP gets in.

LCM: Abdenasser El Khayati (Chennaiyin FC)

El Khayati, what can you say about him, record-breaker, as simple as that. Three goals, two assists, you would be mental not to have him in your team of the week.

RCM: Iker Guarrotxena (FC Goa)

I think that Guarrotxena is one of the most underrated players in the league. I think he’s absolutely fantastic, playing there in the middle of the park or as a 10, and linking it all up, and it really started to shine with Noah Sadaoui as the game progressed. He’s got the ability, he’s got the touches, and he causes all sorts of problems.

RM: Mohammad Yasir (Hyderabad FC)

What we thought could have been the goal of the season so far, with that stunning volley that he scored for Hyderabad. It might not be the goal of the season because we’ve seen some absolute belters this matchweek. But for me again, you’re talking about the workrate, the work ethic, and that’s what this team is built on and put together. It’s all about work, teamwork, and all about making sure you win games.

Forwards

CF: Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa)

Fantastic performance from him, with one goal, two assists. But it just becomes electric when he’s in the final third. I think I’m not wrong in saying everybody likes to watch him when he’s playing because he gives so much entertainment and so much value. He’s definitely one of the starlets this season, one of the best new foreign signings to come this year. Absolutely electric.

ST: Petar Sliskovic (Chennaiyin FC)

I’ve gone with him upfront. Two headed goals, the second one: how often do you see somebody score a header from 18 yards out? Not very often, but, boy oh boy, did this boy do that well. His first goal was brilliant as well because he was well past the near post and to angle and guide it into the back of the net, it was a proper centre-forward’s goal.

Head coach

Thomas Brdaric (Chennaiyin FC)

I’ve gone with Brdaric because he’s given us the most entertaining game of the season. Seven goals, not been eclipsed by many. When somebody scores seven goals, (that coach) will be my head coach in the team of the week.