The presence of Team Director Ashley Westwood helped defending champion Amar Tomar Kolkata (formerly Atletico de Kolkata) rope in India’s best creative midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh for ₹1.10 crore.
Lyngdoh is an asset to the Kolkata franchise, as coach Terry Sheringham explained.
“He was our first pick, who can run the show and also score goals,” said the Englishman.
The India star will team up with former Bengaluru FC coach Westwood.
Defender Anas Edathodika, the other draft topper with Lyngdoh, went to Jamshedpur FC.
The debutant side, owned by Tata Steel that runs the Tata Football Academy, also bagged Subrata Paul for ₹87 lakh. “I’m happy to be back in Jamshedpur,” said the India goalkeeper, who graduated from TFA.
Coppell delighted
Chief coach Steve Coppell was delighted to renew ties with midfielder Mehtab Hossain.
“He is the devil you know. We have foreigners lined up whose selection will depend on the Indians picked up in the draft.”
Mixed emotions for Roca
The other debutant, Bengaluru FC, tried to retain the nucleus of its I-League squad.
Chief coach Albert Roca had mixed emotions about losing Lyngdoh to ATK while signing up others who worked with him last season.
“We went for him in the Instant Trade but did not work out. There is disappointment at missing players from the I-League group, but happy at being able to keep others (goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte and midfielder Lenny Rodrigues).”
India captain Sunil Chhetri, retained by BFC, said: “Nothing changes on the pitch, we played to win in I-League and we will play to win in the ISL.”
He, however, felt that Lyngdoh will be missed.
Prize catch
Kean Lewis’ display last season for Delhi Dynamos earned him the attention from ATK after FC Pune City had picked the striker from the draft for ₹40 lakh.
ATK used the Instant Trade card and made their bid at a higher price.
Pune did not take the bait and acquired the services of the young goal-scorer.
Other players to attract dual interest were Jayesh Rane (ATK), Rahul Bheke (BFC), Lalhmangalhsanga (ATK), Ralte (BFC), Lalrutthara (KB) and Lyngdoh (ATK).
Chennaiyin FC management also made an effort to keep most of the squad members under new coach John Gregory.
Jayesh Rane and Harmanjot Khabra moved to ATK and BFC respectively but not before an attempt to buy them back via Instant Trade.
Abhishek Bachhan, Chennaiyin co-owner, explained: “We believe in family first. There is a sense of continuity and we made an attempt to retain both of them.”
Gregory, taking over from Marco Materazzi, agreed with Bachchan’s view.
“Jeje Lalpekhlua was retained from last year in keeping with the same thinking. I hope to build on the unity, with support from fans.”
NorthEast United FC owner John Abraham spoke more specifically of playing with talent from North-east.”
Prominent names in NEUFC are Lalrindika Ralte, Holicharan Narzary, Nirmal Chhetri, Reagen Singh and Robert Lalthamuana.
134 players signed
Each team was allowed minimum of 15 and maximum of 18 Indian players. After 15 rounds, 134 players were signed.
Franchises can sign more Indians from among the 71 remaining for their respective reserve squads.
The surplus players can go back to I-League, to be held simultaneously for the first time.
Jamshedpur FC picked 15 from the draft, one player in each round, spending maximum amount of ₹4.72 crore. Delhi Dynamos FC followed suit and ended up spending ₹3.91 crores on 15 players.
