The Indian Super League will enter a new dawn with some changes in the upcoming season. Last season saw the cash-rich league get fully organised in Goa without little to no hindrance. The league also got extended and became an 11-team league with the introduction of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
However next season is set to bring in a lot more changes in the format and also in terms of foreign players. Football and Sports Development Limited (FSDL) which manages the ISL has promised an increase of 20 matches in the league, 22 for the teams qualifying for the semifinals and obviously one extra for the finalists.
The foreign counting in each team will also go down as per the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rules. The league is set to reduce its foreign count from five to four to be on the same track with AFC who also allow the 3+1 foreign rule in all their competitions.
More matches and fewer foreigners mean only one thing and that is more game time and opportunities for Indian players. The league has always been a platform to showcase talent and next season it will be even more possible. Indian full-back Ashutosh Mehta who recently made his national team debut after a long wait has also shown his support for the changes that are going to happen in the ISL.
“Yeh toh hona hi chahiye (These must happen). The more opportunities the Indian players get, the better it is to showcase their talent. The Indian players don’t have much difference against their foreign counterparts. The difference is in the mindset. What’s the difference between Sunil Chhetri and other players? It’s his mentality that makes him the G.O.A.T. And, that comes with experience,” Ashutosh Mehta told Sportskeeda.
Mehta, who was exceptional for NorthEast United last season, impressed the national team head coach Igor Stimac and hence made his way to the national team. He has been a journeyman in Indian football but finally he has reached his destination. Mehta reportedly has joined last season’s runner up ATK Mohun Bagan for the upcoming season. Previously he won the I-League title in the 2019-20 season with Mohun Bagan before making his move to join the Highlanders.
The 30-year-old went on to draw an example of Glan Martins and how the Goan midfielder was with ATK Mohun Bagan at the start of the season and did not get many chances. Then his mid-season move to FC Goa changed his fortunes as he got to feature in the AFC Champions League where he was phenomenal throughout the group stage. Mehta feels that Indian players just need that opportunity to prove themselves.
“Take the example of Glan Martins. He was playing for ATK Mohun Bagan and not getting a chance. But, the way he played in the AFC Champions League I was so impressed with him. He gave a top performance, so his name should come on the national team list. So the Indians just need an opportunity. With foreigners reduced and more matches happening, this will only give Indians more opportunity,” Ashutosh Mehta signed off.
