The early stages of the 2025/26 Indian Super League season have exceeded many people’s expectations for Mumbai City, with the club sitting first after six games. While performances as a whole have not been perfect, the squad is looking like more of a collective unit as compared to last season. Part of it is down to new recruits, part of it down to consistent performers, and one notable player having a breakthrough few games. Here are five key players that have stepped up for the Islanders this season.
Joni Kauko
A signing that came out of the blue, Joni Kauko returned to India with the Islanders after a six-month stint at KTP in Finland. While some might have viewed his age as a drawback, he has proved his critics wrong with a series of dominant performances early on. His impact in the midfield has been notable, helping the team control the engine room while also providing a link between defence and offence. Off the ball, the Finnish midfielder has also made a contribution defensively, breaking up attacks with timely tackles.
Despite his age meaning he can no longer play like the box-to-box midfielder that Indian football fans were first introduced to, Petr Kratky has tailored the system around him. His role in the team allows him to stay predominantly in the middle of the park, but when he forays forward, those around him cover his area of the pitch. This ensures Kauko does not need to hurry back into position, hence conserving energy.
And this has worked, with Kauko getting two “pre-assists” per se, with his cross vs Chennaiyin leading to the Pritam Kotal own goal, and his chip pass vs Inter Kashi to Jorge Ortiz leading to Lallianzuala Chhangte’s winner. He also got the assist to Noufal’s winner against Mohun Bagan, taking advantage of space given by forward Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s movement, and having the presence of mind to play the ball to Noufal rather than shooting from range.
Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung (Tluanga)
Tluanga had a solid but unspectacular Super Cup, much like most of the squad. However, in the league, the midfielder has been a silent controller in the midfield. Coming in from Sreenidi Deccan for his first ISL stint, he has not looked out of place. Tluanga has very quickly formed a midfield bond with his partner in midfield, the aforementioned Joni Kauko, and complements his game. When Kauko is out of position, Tluanga is one of the first to cover for him.
Tluanga has been given the responsibility to be the more defensive of the pair, and is proving a stable presence for the role. His comfort on the ball has also allowed him to be a reliable outlet to keep hold of possession in the defensive half. While not regularly foraying forward, Tluanga has looked capable when attacking. Most notably, his long shot against Kerala Blasters led to the ball falling to Lallianzuala Chhangte for the winner in the match.
PN Noufal
PN Noufal was a player many Mumbai fans were frustrated with last season, and almost indifferent on at the start of the current campaign. The winger from Malabar is rapid, that was never in doubt. He frequently used his pace to get into good positions, but never showed a true impact in the final third. His decision-making was lacking, and rarely got into goalscoring positions. This season though, it’s been better. Despite only starting three games, Noufal has scored a goal in each, and has had a huge impact on all.
In the games, Noufal has always been available down the left wing, using his pace to enable counter-attacks. A ball could be hooked over the top of the left flank, and more often than not, Noufal would chase it down. Similarly, in attacks, Noufal has been an option on the wing, which attackers can pick out to hold onto possession. And finally, he seems to have gained that composure in front of goal. The next step, and arguably most crucial step, is for Noufal to add consistency to his game.
Valpuia
With Valpuia, his consistency and performance is no secret. Since his breakthrough in the 2023-24 season, he has been a player that Petr Kratky can rely on for solid performances on the right flank. The 25-year-old defender has the defensive know-how to keep wingers quiet, while his comfort on the ball has allowed Kratky to give him freedom to invert into the midfield.
This season, it has been more of the same. The full-back has been constantly available, putting in a number of solid performances. His proactiveness has aided the side’s control in the middle of the park, and his positional awareness has allowed Lallianzuala Chhangte to take up the wide attacking role he is best at. Valpuia’s most notable performance was arguably the game against Mohun Bagan, where he kept the likes of Petratos and especially Liston Colaco from influencing the game.
Lallianzuala Chhangte
Despite being joint-top scorer for the season with Noufal with three goals, Chhangte’s performances have not been at the level that they can be. However, it is a huge improvement as compared to his form last season. The 2022-23 Player of the League winner has not hit the ground running, but has been getting into decent goalscoring areas consistently.
This season, while having lesser defensive duties, the Mumbai captain has taken up more central positions as compared to previous years. However, the clinical edge is still missing. For instance, against Mohun Bagan, the winger was denied twice by Vishal Kaith in one-on-one opportunities.
However, it is his movement that has got him his three goals, all the result of being in the right place at the right time. The main thing Chhangte will need to work on is getting that clinical “edge” back into his game.
Honourable mention
An honourable mention who just missed out on the list is Jorge Ortiz. Despite only being available for three games, the Spaniard has been quality whenever he has played.
While he has only registered on assist numbers-wise, the ex-Goa man has always a huge danger with his dribbling, footwork, movement on and off the ball, and ball-carrying. His influence on games will likely decide a number of results for Mumbai in the second half of the season.
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