It has been 3 months since the IPL season ended and 1 month since we have seen our national team play. Let's take a look at key signings and departures of each team and rank how they will do this season.
Esteghlal Key Additions:
Morteza Aghakan (25) Winger/Striker - He way a key member of the promotion of Paykan in 2015-2016 to the IPL. He is a past member of the U23 team in the 2014 Asian Games and 2016 AFC U-23 Championship.
Mohammad Daneshgar (24) Centre Back/Defensive Midfielder - Has been part of the youth system (U17, U20, U23). He has been a talent since his U19 days.
Sina Khadempour (21) Defensive Midfielder - Part of that impressive U20 team in the 2017 U20 World Cup. He is now a part of the U23 team.
Allahyar Sayyad (17) Forward - A real talent with a lot of scouts looking at him for their youth teams. He was a part of the U17 and is now on U23 at his age.
Ali Karimi (24) Defensive Midfielder - Has experience in Europe. Was part of the U23 team and has a big role in TM upcoming in the Asian Cup.
Departures:
Omid Noorafkan (21) Left Back/Defensive Midfielder - A great talent that has been snatched up in Belgium. Hope that he makes as great an impact as he did for Taj.
Behnam Barzay (25) Right Winger - Was a great player when he was younger, even drawing interest from La Liga. Hes moving to Sanat Naft, hopefully he can regain his top form.
Omid Ebrahimi (30) Defensive Midfielder - Heroic performance in Russia. Now he is making the cash he deserves in Qatar. Good luck to him.
Majid Hosseini (22) Defender - Great performance in Russia and I believe he is gone to Trabzonspor. He will do well and continue to improve.
Esteghlal Khuzestan Key Additions:
None
Departures:
None
Foolad Key Additions:
Reza Mirzaei (22) Winger - Part of U20 when younger and Sepahan has loaned him to Foolad to improve and be used as an asset in the future.
Key Departures:
Rahim Zahivi (30) Forward - At a time, he was on CQ's radar when we had a lack of striking options. Unfortunately, he got injured in the camp and never played for TM. Still a very strong player.
Hamed Lak (27) Goalkeeper - Still a bubble for TM. He has had a mix of really good and really bad performances. He has moved to be with the newly promoted Nassaji Mazandaran.
Ahmad Abdollahzadeh (25) Defensive Midfielder - A product of the Foolad academy, he was on the preliminary squad for TM in Russia WC2018. He will most likely be back with the team if his form continues.
Gostaresh Foolad Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Naft Masjed Soleyman Key Additions:
Mahmoud Ghaed Rahmati (26) Defensive Midfielder - Part of Iran U20 making 4 appearances. He is moving from Sepahan and can provide great experience.
Key Departures:
None
Nassaji Mazandaran Key Additions:
Hamed Lak (27) Goalkeeper - Will provide great goalkeeping and experience for this young team. Will be a leader on the field for Javad's team.
Nima Mirzazad (21) Goalkeeper - Will be a great understudy to lack. Has already caught the eye of CQ and can be the next generation of players for TM.
Hamed Shiri (32) Defensive Midfielder - Former U23 player, will provide experience for this team. Was a key player for his former team, Saipa.
Hamidreza Divsalar (28) Left Winger/Left Back - Has been hiding in the second league the past couple years. A product of our youth system (u17, u20, u23).
Key Departues:
None
Padideh Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Pars Janoubi Jam Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
Iman Salimi (22) Defender - Highly touted player that has moved to Braga. Will be a future TM option as he has been with Iran U20 in the past.
Mohsen Forouzan (30) Goalkeeper - Always been a solid IPL goalie. He has moved to Tractor, which looks likely to have a strong team this year.
Mohammad Tayyebi (31) Centre Back - A Querioz experiment, he garnered a lot of acknowledgement during the Esteghlal Khuzestan year when they won. Solid defender.
Paykan Key Additions:
Mehdi Amini (22) Goalkeeper - Product of the Sepahan system, he will be on loan for the year at Paykan. Could be a key TM player in the future (u17, u20).
Key Departures:
Mehdi Shiri (27) Right Back - Great player. Has joined Persepolis to replace Mohrammi. He will be missed. Product of Iran U22.
Payam Niazmand (23) Goalkeeper - Signed by Sepahan. Part of Iran U20. Set to be the starting goalkeeper for Sepahan this year.
Morteza Aghakan (25) Winger/Striker - Crucial player for the team. His creative juices will be missed, but this has improved Esteghlal.
Persepolis Key Additions:
Omid Alishah (26) Winger - Loan returned from Tractor Sazi. Will be a welcome addition back to prepare for ACL. Product of Iran youth development and always on TM radar.
Mehdi Shiri (27) Right Back - See Above.
Mehdi Sharifi (25) Forward/Winger - Highly touted when he was striking for Sepahan. Has fallen off the map a bit, but maybe his move to this big club will awaken his goalscoring aspirations.
Mehdi Torabi (23) Winger - A player with tons of potential. Has been loaned back to Saipa for the year for development purposes.
Soroush Rafiei (28) Attacking Midfielder - Has been loaned to Paykan. May have lost some form playing in Qatar. Hopefully he can regain fitness and be an important player again.
Key Departures:
Sadegh Moharrami (22) Rightback - Look out Rezaeian. He has joined the Croatian champions and has been praised by Branko.
Farsha Ahmadzadeh (25) Attacking Midfielder/Winger - Always a fringe player for PP, he has now moved to Poland. Hopefully his development goes well and he can be a part of TM.
Vahid Amiri (30) Midfielder/Winger/Striker - A running machine with tons of heart. Persepolis fans never valued him and now he will be taking his talents globally.
Mohsen Mosalman (27) Attacking Midfielder - Returning to his home club, Zob Ahan, he will be missed at Persepolis. Always had the talent to join TM, but never got a great chance.
Mehdi Shiri (27) Right Back - See Paykan
Mehdi Torabi (23) Winger - See Above
Soroush Rafiei (28) Attacking Midfielder - See Above
Saipa Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
Allahyar Sayyad (17) Forward - See Esteghlal Section
Ali Gholizadeh (22) Forward/Winger - Has moved to Belgium and has a great chance to be on the AC2019 team. Will be an important player for TM in the near future.
Sanat Naft Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Sepahan Key Additions:
Payam Niazmand (23) Goalkeeper - See Paykan section
Shahab Adeli (21) Goalkeeper - Product of Iran U20, will be an understudy to Niazmand. 6ft 5, has the potential to have a successful career.
Bakhtiar Rahmani (26) Attacking Midfielder - May have passed his prime, but is one of the best playmakers in the league. Will be an important player for the team.
Key Departures:
Ibraham Alma (26) Goalkeeper - The hero for Syria against Iran in qualifiers. He was supposed to play in Saudi, but his contract got terminated within 2 weeks.
Marwan Hussein (26) Centre Forward - Good player, but just didn't seem to fit in with Sepahan and has left. Good luck to him (most likely will return to Iraq).
Masoud Hassanzadeh (27) Centre Forward - At a time, he was looked at by CQ for his height. He had a trial in the Sweden game, but did not impress. He moves to Zob Ahan, the team he had most success with in the past.
Mahmoud Ghaed Rahmati (26) Defensive Midfielder - See Naft Masjed Soleyman Section
Reza Mirzaei (22) Winger - See Foolad Section
Mehdi Amini (22) Goalkeeper - See Paykan Section
Saber Didehvar (22) Left Midfielder/ Left Back - Released by Sepahan. Had great potential as he was a part of Iran U20. Hopefully he finds a club soon.
Ali Karimi (24) Defensive Midfielder - See Esteghlal Section
Edon Hasani (26) Midfielder - Was a great talent when younger. Never seemed to gel with Sepahan and their play. Has returned to Albania to continue his football.
Sepidrood Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Tractor Sazi Key Additions:
Mohsen Forouzan (30) Goalkeeper - See Pars Jonoubi Section
Mohammad Tayyebi (31) Centre Back - See Pars Jonoubi Section
Alireza Naghizadeh (25) Central Midfielder - Product of Iran U23, he played a key role there. Will be relied upon to control the midfield in Tractor.
Ali Abdollahzadeh (25) Centre Back, Right Back - Was a key member of Sanat Naft and Iran U20, U23. Could play an important role with Tractor.
Harry Forrester (27) Attacking Midfielder - Could be one of the most prolific foreign signings. Coming from Rangers to Tractor Sazi, he was a key member there and may tear up the IPL if he adapts well.
Anthony Stokes (29) Striker - Was a key player for Celtic and has played for the Irish National team. Will he adapt to the IPL in time to excel in the league. Has the potential to be a top scorer this year.
Key Departures:
Omid Alishah (26) Winger - Loan returned to Persepolis.
Hadi Mohammadi (27) Centre Back - Was on loan for the year at Tractor. He has returned to Zob Ahan and will be relied upon his arrival as he is a good defender for IPL standards.
Fakher Tahami (21) Forward - Key member for Iran U21, he has finished his conscription and is back to Sanat Naft. He could be a potential TM asset in the future.
Aref Aghasi (21) Defender - Finished his conscription, was a member of Iran U20. He has returned to Foolad and looks like he has developed into a reliable player in the back.
Mohammad Ebrahimi (33) Forward - Had a couple good seasons with Tractor. Will be going to the Second Division to finish up his career.
Amir Arsalan Motahari (25) Right Winger - A great player for Naft in the past. He played a year for Tractor without impressing. Hopefully he makes it to a good team as he is a real talent.
Farzad Hatami (32) Centre Forward - A real threat in the air, Tractor has released him after a couple good seasons at the club. Looks like he will be retiring.
Zob Ahan Key Additions:
Hadi Mohammadi (27) Centre Back - See Above
Masoud Hassanzadeh (27) Centre Forward - See Sepahan Section
Mohsen Mosalman (27) Attacking Midfielder - See Persepolis Section
Eddie Hernandez (27) Forward - Honduras international, could be a great striker in Iran with his height at 6ft 3. Expect him to come off the bench first and then make his impact after 1/4 of the season.
Key Departures:
Bakhtiar Rahmani (26) Attacking Midfielder - See Sepahan Section
Projected Final Standings:
1. Zob Ahan
2. Esteghlal
3. Persepolis
4. Saipa
5. Paykan
6. Foolad
7. Pars Jonoubi Jam
8. Sanat Naft
9. Gostaresh
10. Padideh
11. Tractor Sazi
12. Nassaji Mazandaran
13. Esteghlal Khuzestan
14. Naft Masjed Soleyman
15. Sepidrood
16. Sepahan
Esteghlal Key Additions:
Morteza Aghakan (25) Winger/Striker - He way a key member of the promotion of Paykan in 2015-2016 to the IPL. He is a past member of the U23 team in the 2014 Asian Games and 2016 AFC U-23 Championship.
Mohammad Daneshgar (24) Centre Back/Defensive Midfielder - Has been part of the youth system (U17, U20, U23). He has been a talent since his U19 days.
Sina Khadempour (21) Defensive Midfielder - Part of that impressive U20 team in the 2017 U20 World Cup. He is now a part of the U23 team.
Allahyar Sayyad (17) Forward - A real talent with a lot of scouts looking at him for their youth teams. He was a part of the U17 and is now on U23 at his age.
Ali Karimi (24) Defensive Midfielder - Has experience in Europe. Was part of the U23 team and has a big role in TM upcoming in the Asian Cup.
Departures:
Omid Noorafkan (21) Left Back/Defensive Midfielder - A great talent that has been snatched up in Belgium. Hope that he makes as great an impact as he did for Taj.
Behnam Barzay (25) Right Winger - Was a great player when he was younger, even drawing interest from La Liga. Hes moving to Sanat Naft, hopefully he can regain his top form.
Omid Ebrahimi (30) Defensive Midfielder - Heroic performance in Russia. Now he is making the cash he deserves in Qatar. Good luck to him.
Majid Hosseini (22) Defender - Great performance in Russia and I believe he is gone to Trabzonspor. He will do well and continue to improve.
Esteghlal Khuzestan Key Additions:
None
Departures:
None
Foolad Key Additions:
Reza Mirzaei (22) Winger - Part of U20 when younger and Sepahan has loaned him to Foolad to improve and be used as an asset in the future.
Key Departures:
Rahim Zahivi (30) Forward - At a time, he was on CQ's radar when we had a lack of striking options. Unfortunately, he got injured in the camp and never played for TM. Still a very strong player.
Hamed Lak (27) Goalkeeper - Still a bubble for TM. He has had a mix of really good and really bad performances. He has moved to be with the newly promoted Nassaji Mazandaran.
Ahmad Abdollahzadeh (25) Defensive Midfielder - A product of the Foolad academy, he was on the preliminary squad for TM in Russia WC2018. He will most likely be back with the team if his form continues.
Gostaresh Foolad Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Naft Masjed Soleyman Key Additions:
Mahmoud Ghaed Rahmati (26) Defensive Midfielder - Part of Iran U20 making 4 appearances. He is moving from Sepahan and can provide great experience.
Key Departures:
None
Nassaji Mazandaran Key Additions:
Hamed Lak (27) Goalkeeper - Will provide great goalkeeping and experience for this young team. Will be a leader on the field for Javad's team.
Nima Mirzazad (21) Goalkeeper - Will be a great understudy to lack. Has already caught the eye of CQ and can be the next generation of players for TM.
Hamed Shiri (32) Defensive Midfielder - Former U23 player, will provide experience for this team. Was a key player for his former team, Saipa.
Hamidreza Divsalar (28) Left Winger/Left Back - Has been hiding in the second league the past couple years. A product of our youth system (u17, u20, u23).
Key Departues:
None
Padideh Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Pars Janoubi Jam Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
Iman Salimi (22) Defender - Highly touted player that has moved to Braga. Will be a future TM option as he has been with Iran U20 in the past.
Mohsen Forouzan (30) Goalkeeper - Always been a solid IPL goalie. He has moved to Tractor, which looks likely to have a strong team this year.
Mohammad Tayyebi (31) Centre Back - A Querioz experiment, he garnered a lot of acknowledgement during the Esteghlal Khuzestan year when they won. Solid defender.
Paykan Key Additions:
Mehdi Amini (22) Goalkeeper - Product of the Sepahan system, he will be on loan for the year at Paykan. Could be a key TM player in the future (u17, u20).
Key Departures:
Mehdi Shiri (27) Right Back - Great player. Has joined Persepolis to replace Mohrammi. He will be missed. Product of Iran U22.
Payam Niazmand (23) Goalkeeper - Signed by Sepahan. Part of Iran U20. Set to be the starting goalkeeper for Sepahan this year.
Morteza Aghakan (25) Winger/Striker - Crucial player for the team. His creative juices will be missed, but this has improved Esteghlal.
Persepolis Key Additions:
Omid Alishah (26) Winger - Loan returned from Tractor Sazi. Will be a welcome addition back to prepare for ACL. Product of Iran youth development and always on TM radar.
Mehdi Shiri (27) Right Back - See Above.
Mehdi Sharifi (25) Forward/Winger - Highly touted when he was striking for Sepahan. Has fallen off the map a bit, but maybe his move to this big club will awaken his goalscoring aspirations.
Mehdi Torabi (23) Winger - A player with tons of potential. Has been loaned back to Saipa for the year for development purposes.
Soroush Rafiei (28) Attacking Midfielder - Has been loaned to Paykan. May have lost some form playing in Qatar. Hopefully he can regain fitness and be an important player again.
Key Departures:
Sadegh Moharrami (22) Rightback - Look out Rezaeian. He has joined the Croatian champions and has been praised by Branko.
Farsha Ahmadzadeh (25) Attacking Midfielder/Winger - Always a fringe player for PP, he has now moved to Poland. Hopefully his development goes well and he can be a part of TM.
Vahid Amiri (30) Midfielder/Winger/Striker - A running machine with tons of heart. Persepolis fans never valued him and now he will be taking his talents globally.
Mohsen Mosalman (27) Attacking Midfielder - Returning to his home club, Zob Ahan, he will be missed at Persepolis. Always had the talent to join TM, but never got a great chance.
Mehdi Shiri (27) Right Back - See Paykan
Mehdi Torabi (23) Winger - See Above
Soroush Rafiei (28) Attacking Midfielder - See Above
Saipa Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
Allahyar Sayyad (17) Forward - See Esteghlal Section
Ali Gholizadeh (22) Forward/Winger - Has moved to Belgium and has a great chance to be on the AC2019 team. Will be an important player for TM in the near future.
Sanat Naft Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Sepahan Key Additions:
Payam Niazmand (23) Goalkeeper - See Paykan section
Shahab Adeli (21) Goalkeeper - Product of Iran U20, will be an understudy to Niazmand. 6ft 5, has the potential to have a successful career.
Bakhtiar Rahmani (26) Attacking Midfielder - May have passed his prime, but is one of the best playmakers in the league. Will be an important player for the team.
Key Departures:
Ibraham Alma (26) Goalkeeper - The hero for Syria against Iran in qualifiers. He was supposed to play in Saudi, but his contract got terminated within 2 weeks.
Marwan Hussein (26) Centre Forward - Good player, but just didn't seem to fit in with Sepahan and has left. Good luck to him (most likely will return to Iraq).
Masoud Hassanzadeh (27) Centre Forward - At a time, he was looked at by CQ for his height. He had a trial in the Sweden game, but did not impress. He moves to Zob Ahan, the team he had most success with in the past.
Mahmoud Ghaed Rahmati (26) Defensive Midfielder - See Naft Masjed Soleyman Section
Reza Mirzaei (22) Winger - See Foolad Section
Mehdi Amini (22) Goalkeeper - See Paykan Section
Saber Didehvar (22) Left Midfielder/ Left Back - Released by Sepahan. Had great potential as he was a part of Iran U20. Hopefully he finds a club soon.
Ali Karimi (24) Defensive Midfielder - See Esteghlal Section
Edon Hasani (26) Midfielder - Was a great talent when younger. Never seemed to gel with Sepahan and their play. Has returned to Albania to continue his football.
Sepidrood Key Additions:
None
Key Departures:
None
Tractor Sazi Key Additions:
Mohsen Forouzan (30) Goalkeeper - See Pars Jonoubi Section
Mohammad Tayyebi (31) Centre Back - See Pars Jonoubi Section
Alireza Naghizadeh (25) Central Midfielder - Product of Iran U23, he played a key role there. Will be relied upon to control the midfield in Tractor.
Ali Abdollahzadeh (25) Centre Back, Right Back - Was a key member of Sanat Naft and Iran U20, U23. Could play an important role with Tractor.
Harry Forrester (27) Attacking Midfielder - Could be one of the most prolific foreign signings. Coming from Rangers to Tractor Sazi, he was a key member there and may tear up the IPL if he adapts well.
Anthony Stokes (29) Striker - Was a key player for Celtic and has played for the Irish National team. Will he adapt to the IPL in time to excel in the league. Has the potential to be a top scorer this year.
Key Departures:
Omid Alishah (26) Winger - Loan returned to Persepolis.
Hadi Mohammadi (27) Centre Back - Was on loan for the year at Tractor. He has returned to Zob Ahan and will be relied upon his arrival as he is a good defender for IPL standards.
Fakher Tahami (21) Forward - Key member for Iran U21, he has finished his conscription and is back to Sanat Naft. He could be a potential TM asset in the future.
Aref Aghasi (21) Defender - Finished his conscription, was a member of Iran U20. He has returned to Foolad and looks like he has developed into a reliable player in the back.
Mohammad Ebrahimi (33) Forward - Had a couple good seasons with Tractor. Will be going to the Second Division to finish up his career.
Amir Arsalan Motahari (25) Right Winger - A great player for Naft in the past. He played a year for Tractor without impressing. Hopefully he makes it to a good team as he is a real talent.
Farzad Hatami (32) Centre Forward - A real threat in the air, Tractor has released him after a couple good seasons at the club. Looks like he will be retiring.
Zob Ahan Key Additions:
Hadi Mohammadi (27) Centre Back - See Above
Masoud Hassanzadeh (27) Centre Forward - See Sepahan Section
Mohsen Mosalman (27) Attacking Midfielder - See Persepolis Section
Eddie Hernandez (27) Forward - Honduras international, could be a great striker in Iran with his height at 6ft 3. Expect him to come off the bench first and then make his impact after 1/4 of the season.
Key Departures:
Bakhtiar Rahmani (26) Attacking Midfielder - See Sepahan Section
Projected Final Standings:
1. Zob Ahan
2. Esteghlal
3. Persepolis
4. Saipa
5. Paykan
6. Foolad
7. Pars Jonoubi Jam
8. Sanat Naft
9. Gostaresh
10. Padideh
11. Tractor Sazi
12. Nassaji Mazandaran
13. Esteghlal Khuzestan
14. Naft Masjed Soleyman
15. Sepidrood
16. Sepahan
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