Hero Indian Super League 2016 gets underway this Saturday with NorthEast United FC hosting Kerala Blasters FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The ISL Fantasy league, however, is already live so don’t miss out on your chance of testing your skills as manager. With over 8,000 registrations, almost 6,000 teams and some of the biggest names from around the world all heading to the subcontinent, this year’s ISL Fantasy promises to be bigger, more exciting and better than ever before. Here are some proven performers from last season that may give your fantasy team an important head start.

Bernard Mendy (Chennaiyin FC): Rs 6.5 crore

With a whopping 74 points, Chennaiyin FC’s towering centre-back was the highest scoring defender in last season’s ISL Fantasy. His performances were absolutely critical for the Super Machans’ title surge. He made his presence felt on both ends of the pitch for the southern-outfit by scoring twice and organising his backline to consecutive clean-sheets towards the business end of the league last year. The Frenchman will be right in the midst of the action for Marco Materazzi’s men once again, making him a prudent buy at his valuation of Rs 6.5 crore.

Iain Hume (Atlético de Kolkata): Rs 12 crore

If the hefty price tag of Rs 12 crore may scare you away from adding the Canadian sensation to your team, then let the fact that no other player participating in Hero ISL 2016 has scored more points than the energetic frontman change your mind. His total point tally of 114 points scored last season is more than any other player participating in the upcoming edition. The 32-year-old also comes with two seasons of Hero ISL experience under his belt and has netted 16 times in the league since its inception in 2014. Hume is also good at providing assists, and no doubt will be raring to lead ATK’s frontline again this year.

Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC): Rs 9.5 crore

One of Indian football’s biggest names at the moment, the Chennaiyin FC faithful will have huge expectations from Jeje Lalpekhlua this season. He scored six times for the Super Machans last year and has a total of 10 goals to his name over the course of the past two seasons, making him the highest scoring Indian in the league. Valued at Rs 9.5 crore, the 25-year-old is just as efficient setting his team-mates up as his three assists in Hero ISL 2015 suggest. He managed 72 ISL Fantasy points last year: a total he is expected to surpass this season if his current form for club and country over the past year is anything to go by.

Sameehg Doutie (Atlético de Kolkata): Rs 9.5 crore

A player who took the league by storm on the back of several scintillating performances last season, Sameehg Doutie’s value of Rs 9.5 crore needs no explanation. The pacey winger from South Africa notched up 94 Fantasy league points and breathed life into Atlético de Kolkata’s campaign last season with outstanding displays of individual brilliance. He scored thrice, provided six assists and sent in wicked crosses that had opposition defenders in knots on a regular basis. With a season of Hero ISL under his belt already, one can expect Doutie to light up the league again this year.

Edel Bete (FC Pune City): Rs 5.5 crore

After helping Atlético de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC to the crown in Hero ISL 2014 and Hero ISL 2015, Armenian shot-stopper Edel Bete will be looking to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of Hero ISL trophies with FC Pune City in the upcoming season. The 30-year-old managed to accumulate 82 ISL Fantasy points and finished with the Golden Glove award last year. He has made 75 saves and kept 10 clean sheets over the course of the past two seasons. If his save to deny Michael Chopra was the highlight of his first season, then his prowess while facing up to penalties was the standout of his second. Valued at just Rs 5.5 crore, it would be rather imprudent not to have the man who’s synonymous with Hero ISL success.