The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024–25 season has truly been one to remember, with records tumbling and new milestones being set throughout the campaign.

From Mohun Bagan Super Giant amassing a record 56 points in a single season, to Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s sensational debut campaign with NorthEast United FC, contributing to 30 goals, and Vishal Kaith’s league-high 15 clean sheets, the eleventh edition of the ISL had it all. The Mariners also became only the second team after Mumbai City FC to complete the league double, successfully defending the coveted League Shield and going on to win their second ISL Cup.

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As the season draws to a close, it's now time for the fans to build their ultimate Team of the Season and choose the ideal player for each position based on their preferences. Voting for the Fans’ ISL Team of the Season will kick off on Monday and run until May 16. Supporters will be able to select eleven players from a 44-man shortlist across various categories, building a team in a 4-3-3 formation, along with casting their vote for a head coach.

The voting will take place in four phases.

  • Phase 1 (May 5–7): Goalkeepers and Defenders

  • Phase 2 (May 8–10): Midfielders

  • Phase 3 (May 11–13): Forwards

  • Phase 4 (May 14–16): Head Coaches

Phase 1 of voting began at 12 PM on May 5, allowing fans to choose their preferred goalkeeper, right-back, right centre-back, left centre-back, and left-back.

So without further ado, here are our nominees in defence for the Fans’ Team of the Season.

Goalkeepers

Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Vishal Kaith has registered 15 clean sheets in the ISL 2024-25 season, the most by any goalkeeper in a single season. In addition to recording a 79.4% save percentage, he also successfully stopped 37 shots from outside the box. Kaith also averaged two saves per game, playing a crucial role in MBSG’s ISL double.

Albino Gomes (Jamshedpur FC)

Albino Gomes made 102 saves over the course of the season, becoming the first goalkeeper to record 100+ saves in a single season. Moreover, the Jamshedpur FC shotstopper saved four of the five penalties he faced in the 2024-25 season, which is also the most by any goalkeeper in a single season.

Hrithik Tiwari (FC Goa)

Following injuries to goalkeepers Laxmikant Kattimani and Lara Sharma, the door opened for Hrithik Tiwari, who not only proved his mettle under the bar but also experienced a breakthrough season with FC Goa. Tiwari registered seven clean sheets this season, and his fingertip saves and composure in tense moments were on display during the Gaurs’ road to the playoffs.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu recorded a stellar start to this season as he kept a clean sheet in five consecutive games. In the process, Bengaluru FC became the first team to go 400+ minutes from the start of the season without conceding a single goal. Despite struggling with his form mid-season, Sandhu had a big role in the Blues’ resurgence later on in the season, which saw them qualify for the ISL final.

Defenders

Right Backs

Abhishek Singh (Punjab FC)

Abhishek Singh has been a potent threat to opposing wingers with his burst of pace and smart anticipation skills. He has won 33 tackles and 86 duels for the Shers this season, while also attempting 51 clearances and creating eight chances.

Valpuia (Mumbai City FC)

Valpuia has been impressive under Petr Kratky and has been a regular face in Mumbai City FC’s right-back position. He averaged 46 passes per game, created seven chances, won 137 duels and 57 tackles, helping the Islanders register eight clean sheets this season.

Redeem Tlang (NorthEast United FC)

Underrated but influential, Redeem Tlang adapted well to the full-back position and played a key role in NorthEast United FC’s defensive solidity, which saw them qualify for the ISL playoffs. Operating as a right back, Tlang created 13 chances, attempted 13 successful dribbles, and also won 85 duels.

Boris Singh (FC Goa)

Boris Singh’s transformation from a wide midfielder to a dynamic full-back has been excellent as he recorded cracking numbers in this role. Boris averaged 37 passes per game, created 19 chances, attempted 19 successful dribbles, and also had two goal contributions to his name. On the other hand, he won 91 duels, completed 114 recoveries, and made 18 interceptions.

Right Centre-Backs

Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC)

Rahul Bheke has recorded 126 clearances this season, the joint third-highest such tally by any player in a single season in league history. The veteran defender logged 2370 minutes on the field across his 26 appearances and also scored three goals for the Blues.

Odei Onaindia (FC Goa)

Odei Onaindia has been the defensive linchpin for FC Goa, showcasing his leadership attributes and sharp defensive instincts. The Spaniard attempted 28 interceptions, 118 clearances, and won six tackles and 74 duels this season with the Gaurs.

Asheer Akhtar (NorthEast United FC)

Asheer Akhtar has been an integral part of NorthEast United FC’s defence line, boasting an excellent partnership with Miguel Zabaco at the heart of the defence line. Akhtar averaged 32 passes per game, won 21 tackles, and 68 duels while also registering five clean sheets for the Highlanders.

Tom Aldred (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

A key signing for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Tom Aldred proved his worth every time he played and formed a formidable duo with Alberto Rodriguez at the backline. The Australian defender averaged 46 passes per game, won 101 duels, and attempted 79 clearances.

Left Centre-Backs

Alberto Rodríguez (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Alberto Rodriguez made 97 clearances in the ISL 2024-25 season, the second most by any Mohun Bagan Super Giant player in a single season. Rodriguez scored five goals from an expected goals (xG) value of 1.29, with his expected goals differential (+3.71 xG value) being the highest among defenders this term.

Stephen Eze (Jamshedpur FC)

Stephen Eze logged 131 clearances, which is the second most in a single campaign in league history. Eze had an impactful role in Jamshedpur FC’s playoff qualification as he registered three goals, five clean sheets, and 27 blocks in his 23 appearances this season.

Tiri (Mumbai City FC)

Tiri has been a defensive stalwart for Mumbai City FC and has proved his worth time and again in the league. One of ISL’s most experienced foreign defenders, Tiri won 80 duels, completed 84 recoveries, and also had three goal contributions for Mumbai City FC this season.

Sandesh Jhingan (FC Goa)

Sandesh Jhingan registered 107 clearances this season, becoming the first Indian and third player overall to record 100+ clearances in three different ISL campaigns. FC Goa recorded a 70% win rate (14 out of 20) in ISL matches that Jhingan played in during the 2024–25 season, while only winning 16.7% of the games he missed; in fact, the Gaurs conceded 0.9 goals per game on average with Jhingan in the side, compared to the 2 goals per game they conceded without him.

Left Backs

Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Subhasish Bose scored six goals this season, the highest such tally by any player registered as a defender in a single season in league history. The Mohun Bagan Super Giant captain has averaged 1.92 interceptions per game and has recorded 48 interceptions this season, playing a decisive role in the Mariners’ ISL double for the first time.

Buanthanglun Samte (NorthEast United FC)

Buanthanglun Samte has also been a regular face in the left-back position for the NorthEast United FC side. In his 21 appearances with the Highlanders this season, Samte won 26 tackles and 68 duels, created 43 chances—the highest by an Indian this season—and also recorded three assists to his name.

Naorem Roshan Singh (Bengaluru FC)

Naorem Roshan Singh played a significant role in Bengaluru FC’s historic playoff qualification, overcoming the mid-season juncture, with four goal contributions to his name. He notched 24 successful open-play crosses, the highest among Indians, and had a record of 88.7% tackle success rate.

Muhammed Uvais (Jamshedpur FC)

Muhammed Uvais logged a tackle success rate of 80.9% (38/47 tackles won) in the ISL 2024–25 season, the third-most among players with 40+ tackles attempted. 53.8% of Uvais' passes in the 2024–25 ISL season were forward passes, the joint third-best among outfield players who attempted 500+ passes, behind Zabaco (56.5%) and Suresh Meitei (53.9%).

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2024-2025