ISL Clubs Preview: SC East Bengal

By Chetan Anand 

04 November 2021

                     The ISL entry drama of SC East Bengal has been one of the most dramatic off field stories in Indian football for over an year. Last season, they didn't got to plan early with the signings as the announcement of them entering ISL was very late and by then, most of the players already had found their new destinations. This time too, the announcement was made just two days before the end of transfer window. However, they managed to sign over 20 players inside those two days. Signs were clear that they had their targets locked. They just had to wait for the official statement. Keeping aside all these off field dramas, let's have a look on the on-field expectations from this new look side in the 8th edition of ISL. 

COACH AND PREFERRED FORMATION

Before the start of the new season, SC East Bengal had finalised Robbie Fowler as their head coach. Who signed a two year contract with the club. However, the club parted ways with him and appointed former Real Madrid Castilla manager Manolo Marquez Diaz. 

When we dive into his goals scored, goals conceded and points per game numbers, he is superior to both Habas and Sergio Lobera. Any East Bengal fan would love to see these stats. But at the same time, these are different leagues and it's very unfair to judge any manager based on points per game stats. 

Being someone who is closely related to Real Madrid, 4-3-3 looks like the most expected formation from him. 

STRENGTH

One of the biggest strengths I think is that they can surprise the opponents. Manolo Marquez Diaz can do what Manolo Marquez Roca did with Hyderabad FC last season.

To guard their post, they have experienced and last year Golden Glove winner, Arindam Bhattacharya. Sankar Roy also have experience playing in ISL. 

Unlike last year, they have a solid defence witnessing a mixture of Experienced and Young Players. East Bengal finally found some Indian players who are solid. They have signed Adil Khan and young prospect Joyner both who strengthens defence deeper. Along with Raju Gaikwad, Adil can create wonders. So they have nothing to fear. On the left flank, East Bengal have two very exciting prospects in the name of Hira Mondal and Sarineo Fernandes. On the right, they have Ankit Mukherjee who can create wonders. The team is also expecting great from their foreign defenders too. They have Franjo Prce who have experience in playing in Serie A for Lazio and Tomislav Mrcela who have played for A League side Perth Glory. These two players can create wonders. So their defence is one of the best in the league in terms of experience. 

Coming to the Midfield, they have some good names who can create wonders. They have Darren Sidoel and Amarjit Singh who can help their defence. Amir Dervisevic is a creative player who generaly plays as a Central Midfielder can act as a deep lying playmaker in the team. Indian mid Rafique is also a good player who was one of the players who performed well the last season. Along with him Jackichand, Romeo are also good players who can do surprising moves can be expected. They also have no shortage of young midfielders who can also do well. 

Their forward is also very deadly with a mix of experience and youth. Young players like Subha, Mahesh, Haokip etc along with their Foreigners can do wonders. They have a creative forward Antonio Perosevic who can play at multiple positions and adds as a creative option in the frontline. He can be used as Cleiton Silva by Manolo Marquez in his team. 

WEAKNESS

Wing doesn't looks convincing. Maybe due to the lack of experience? They have Hira Mondal, Ankit Mukherjee and Sarineo Fernandes as primary options for the full back positions. Some of them are exciting prospects but that area is most likely to be exploited the most by the opponents. 

Lack of creative players can also become one of the concerns as only Amir and Antonio have creative credentials with them. Considering that there will be reduced number of overseas players in the team, they may struggle in this aspect. Also, they don't have any domestic player who can take the creative responsibilty in their hands.

FOREIGN CONTINGENT

The club hasn't retained/were unable to retain any of the overseas players from last season. Antonio Perosevic, Daniel Chima, Darren Sidoel, Amir Dervisevic, Tomislav Mrcela and Franco Prje make up the foreign contingent of SC East Bengal for this season.  

PROBABLE FINISH

They may not be a primary contenders for the trophies or the playoff spot but this team have the potential to surprise us like Hyderabad FC last season, courtesy to the capabilities of their head coach. If they want to put themselves as contenders, youngsters in the team will have to step up.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Arindam Bhattacharya

Sankar Roy 

Suvam Sen

DEFENDERS

Daniel Gomes

Joyner Lourenco

Raju Gaikwad

Hira Mondal

Ankit Mukherjee

Adil Khan

Goutam Singh

Tomislav Mrcela

Franjo Prce

Sarineo Fernandes

Akashdeep Singh

MIDFIELDERS

Jackichand Singh

Sourav Das

A Wahengbam

Amarjit Singh Kiyam

MD Rafique

Loken Meitei

Lalrinliana Hnamte

Bikash Jairu

Amir Dervisevic

Darren Sidoel

Romeo Fernandes

Songpu Singsit

FORWARDS

Balwant Singh

Thongkhosiem Haokip

Naorem Mahesh

Siddhant Shirodkar

Daniel Chima

Antonio Perosevic

Subha Ghosh