5. Dubbed the Indian Ngolo Kante
The 25-year-old Manipuri stands at just 5a6 but his presence is stretched throughout the pitch. Thoi, who has a pre-match ritual of running up and down the length of the pitch at full steam. Due to his height, Thoi lacks a physical presence in midfield and naturally struggles in aerial duels, but he makes up for it with his speed and stamina, a feat he personally attributes to the numerous athletic medals he won in school. It is not an uncommon sight to see Thoi as the first person to hound the opponent after his side lose possession of the ball, much like the French midfielder Kante.
Thoi’s signing by Mumbai FC shows their commitment to attacking football with the high work rate and ball winning ability he provides. He will surely be a vital cog in the team and provide his energy for another success in the I-League.
