In many ways, the foreign player recruitment by Indian Super League (ISL) clubs has seen a shift in focus ahead of the 2020-21 season.
The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) Executive Committee took a decision to follow the '3+1' rule (four overseas players in the playing XI including an Asian player) from the 2021-22 season. It must be noted that ISL decided to enforce the mandatory Asian player rule from the upcoming season itself which allows for '4+1' overseas players in the playing XI this time around.
As a result, the clubs have been looking for good players from the various AFC-affiliated countries.