Midfields are the biggest power centres on a football field and a team’s stability is dependent on the performances of those who ply their trade in the heart of the playing area. 

In the Indian Super League (ISL), teams have always focused on assembling the strongest midfield units. It’s not an easy task, as a good midfield requires a perfect balance of creativity, strength, energy, and endurance. Teams that manage to achieve an optimal blend of these qualities often gain a significant advantage on the pitch.

As we look ahead to the upcoming 2024-25 season, we have attempted to handpick the top midfielders that the fans must keep an eye out for. 

From established stars to debutants, the list has a solid mix. 

Madih Talal (East Bengal FC)

The French midfielder has a terrific debut season in the ISL as he recorded the most number of assists (10) in the ISL last season. He also scored six times, making him one of the most potent midfielders in the league. 

He will now play for the Red and Gold brigade in 2024-25 and will be creator-in-chief for Carles Cuadrat’s side who possess two of the league’s best goalscorers in Cleiton Silva and Dimitri Diamantakos. The Frenchman will get a bigger stage to showcase his talent in Kolkata. 

Talal is also a really good pick for ISL Fantasy but managers will have to make some adjustments to accommodate him at Rs 11.5 crore.

Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters FC)

One of the first names on this list, Luna has established himself as one of the best creative midfielders to have played in the ISL. Also known for his impeccable work rate, Luna would be very keen to impress having missed large parts of last season. 

The Kerala Blasters FC skipper will also be crucial in helping new head coach Mikael Stahre transmit his knowledge to the team. 

With a total of 30 goal contributions in 53 appearances in ISL, Luna is a very good pick for ISL Fantasy especially at a very reasonable price of Rs 10.5 crore for the consistent midfielder. 

Jeakson Singh (East Bengal FC)

Jeakson Singh is one of the most complete central midfielders in India. He was the heartbeat of Ivan Vukomanovic’s Kerala Blasters FC side. A midfielder who is equally good at breaking up play as he is with the ball at his feet, Jeakson is an asset for every team he plays. 

Now in the new surroundings of East Bengal FC, Jeakson will have to show his worth and win over the Kolkata faithful with his solid performances in midfield. 

Being a more defensive minded midfielder, Jeakson is unlikely to be a very popular ISL Fantasy pick given there are alternatives in his price bracket of Rs 7 crore.

Greg Stewart (Mohun Bagan SG)

The Scottish midfielder was the best player in the league when his two former teams Jamshedpur FC (2021-22) and Mumbai City FC (2022-23) won the League Shield. 

Stewart is a complete No 10 who has great vision to pick out a pass, silky dribbling skills that can leave opponents in his wake, an ability to find the back of the net consistently and also a robust physical structure that makes him a handful for any opponent trying to mark him out of the game. 

Now part of a star-studded Mariners side, Stewart is expected to shine once again and should be among the top priority purchases for most ISL Fantasy managers even with a price tag of Rs 10 crore. 42 goal contributions in 50 ISL appearances speaks volumes about his ability. 

Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)

The ultimate midfield maestro in the ISL, Jahouh has been bossing midfields since he set foot in India. The Odisha FC midfielder completed 1367 successful passes last season which was the highest in the league by a whopping 369 passes. 

He was third in the league with 35 interceptions to his name last season where he also managed to score 2 goals and provide four assists. As Odisha FC aim to end their wait for the ISL League and the Cup, Jahouh will play a crucial role for head coach Sergio Lobera. 

With points now being allocated for successful passes and interceptions, Jahouh has emerged as a very viable option.

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC)

The top Indian goalscorer in the ISL in each of the last two seasons, Chhangte has established himself as the best Indian attacker in the league. With 32 goal contributions across the last two seasons, Chhangte has played a big hand in helping Mumbai City FC win the League Shield and the ISL Cup. 

Chhangte’s consistency makes him a must-have in your ISL Fantasy teams too as the rate of his returns makes his Rs 10.5 crore price tag very reasonable.

Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan SG)

The Player of the Year last season, Petratos too has been a model of consistency for the Mariners helping them with the ISL Cup and the League Shield, along with the Durand Cup in 2023. 

A total of 36 goal contributions in just 46 appearances, Petratos has been excellent for Mohun Bagan SG, playing in different roles. Equally effective as a striker and as a No 10, Petratos is a real asset for Jose Molina.

At Rs 13 crore, Petratos is the most expensive player in ISL Fantasy, but his track record suggests he is likely to be worth every penny. 

Noah Sadaoui (Kerala Blasters FC)

The Moroccan switched to Kochi after two successful seasons in Goa that saw him record 34 goal contributions in just 43 appearances. 

Sadaoui has already made a mark in Kochi after winning the golden boot award in the Durand Cup despite the Blasters bowing out of the competition at the quarter-final stage. He is the perfect candidate to fill the void left by Dimitri DIamantakos. 

At 11.5 crore, Sadaoui is expensive but his numbers speak for itself and ISL Fantasy managers would leave him out at their own peril. 

Jon Toral (Mumbai City FC)

Toral is new to the ISL fray having joined the Islanders from Greece. A Barcelona and Arsenal academy product, Toral has enjoyed a successful career playing in the Championship for six seasons. He also had a brief stint at Granada where he featured in La Liga. Toral has also been called up to Spain’s U-17 and U-19 teams in the past. 

He will play in an advanced role in the Mumbai City FC midfield that already has plenty of quality in Chhangte, Yoel van Nieff, Brandon Fernandes and Bipin Singh. 

Toral is a relatively unknown quantity when it comes to ISL Fantasy but his strong track record in England makes him a very good differential option at a price of just Rs 8.5 Crore.

Apuia (Mohun Bagan SG) 

Apuia made early headlines in the transfer window moving from Mumbai City FC to their arch rivals Mohun Bagan SG. The two teams fought fiercely for the League Shield and the ISL Cup last season, with each team walking home with a trophy each. 

The former NorthEast United FC midfielder was excellent with the Islanders marshalling the midfield and will have a similar task at Mohun Bagan SG but with a slightly higher competition for his place with several other top midfielders fighting for the spots in the team. 

Apuia did get among the goals a lot more last season but with a plethora of attacking options at their disposal, Mohun Bagan SG may prefer to use him in a more defensive role, making him a less attractive option for ISL Fantasy.