East Bengal FC preview Carles Cuadrat’s Red and Gold Brigade aims to soar
East Bengal FC is a name steeped with emotion, pride, and a long history. The club’s history is rich with successes, amazing events, and a devoted fan base for whom East Bengal is more than just a football club; it is a source of identity and optimism.
The club has continually exhibited competitiveness in every competition they have competed throughout its history. However, the Red and Gold Brigade has struggled to demonstrate their competitive edge on the pitch since joining the Indian Super League (ISL) in the 2020-21 season.
However, the previous season was not as gloomy as it may appear on paper. On many instances, the Kolkata-based club showed signs of life, putting on passionate performances. However, they failed to capitalize on key occasions, resulting in a string of disappointing finishes in the bottom half of the league table for the third straight season.
East Bengal FC have shown their worth by reaching the Durand Cup finals. Despite their valiant attempts, they fell short of victory, losing 1-0 to arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
East Bengal FC are determined to turn things around in the 2017 ISL season with the acquisition of Carles Cuadrat, a past ISL Cup winner with Bengaluru FC. This could be the long-awaited redemption year for the Red and Gold Brigade.
So far in the ISL, performance
East Bengal FC have been in the ISL for three seasons and have struggled to break out of their shell. One of the key reasons for this is that each of the three seasons begins from scratch.
The Kolkata-based club debuted in the ISL during the 2020-21 season, finishing ninth in their first season. The following season, there was a bit more hope around the camp, but the Red and Gold Brigade had a forgettable campaign, finishing last in the table.
They appointed a new manager and nearly overhauled their entire squad, and the results were very similar to the previous two seasons. Despite the efforts of Cleiton Silva and Naorem Mahesh Singh on a daily basis, East Bengal FC failed to function as a unit and finished ninth in the league table.
Transfer negotiations and team composition
In contrast to the previous three seasons, East Bengal FC was able to keep several of their important players, including Naorem Mahesh Singh, Lalchungnunga, and Souvik Chakrabarti. Cleiton Silva, who scored 12 goals and supplied one assist last season and nearly missed out on the Golden Boot, is among those who have been retained.
East Bengal FC made some astute signings during the summer transfer window, in addition to appointing Cuadrat as head coach, who has a solid track record with the Blues and a strong understanding and experience of the Indian football landscape.
The additions of Saul Crespo, Borja Herrera, and Javier Siverio, all of whom have previous league experience, are expected to considerably assist the team. Nandhakumar Sekar, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Mandar Rao Dessai, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, and Nishu Kumar are among the notable Indian acquisitions this season.
The team has shown promising form thus far, as indicated by their success in the Durand Cup, and they hope to build on this and improve even further before their first league encounter. However, Jordan Elsey’s injury could prove to be a serious setback. Due to his excellent performances, the Australian centre-back made an immediate impact and quickly became a fan favorite.
During the Media Day in Kolkata on Wednesday, the Spanish head coach revealed additional updates on Elsey’s ailment. “It’s one of the saddest things that can happen to a team or a player to be out for a long time,” he remarked. We need to construct something to compete, so we’re working on a successor. We’ll see what the market has to offer in that regard. We are professionals attempting to be as competitive as possible.”
Transfers
INs:
Ajay Chhetri, Julfikar Gazi, Jordan Elsey, Jose Antonio Pardo Lucas, Vanlalpeka Guite, Gurnaj Singh Grewal, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Mandar Rao Dessai, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Edwin Vanspaul, Saul Crespo, Javier Siverio, Nishu Kumar, Borja Herrera, and Nandhakumar Sekar are the players.
OUTs:
Ivan Gonzalez, Sarthak Golui, Pawan Kumar, Wahengbam Angousana, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Himanshu Jangra, Naveen Kumar, Suvam Sen, Sumeet Passi, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Semboi Haokip, Charalambos Kyriakou, Jake Jervis, Alex Lima, and Jordan O’Doherty.
East Bengal FC’s full squad may be found here.
Players to Watch
Saul Crespo
East Bengal FC had been looking for a midfielder who could cover the entire pitch and excel in a box-to-box role since the departure of Matti Steinmann.
They appear to have found someone with the purchase of former Odisha FC midfielder Saul Crespo. Crespo plays a critical role in bridging the gap between defense and assault. His outstanding ability to win duels, intercept passes, and contribute on both sides of the ball highlights his midfield talent.
Last season, the Spaniard was instrumental in the Juggernauts securing a playoff berth for the first time and also winning the Super Cup. He has maintained the form he showed during the Durand Cup in his current team, and he hopes to improve on it in the ISL. In short, if East Bengal FC is to dominate ball possession, Crespo must be at his best.
Cleiton Silva’s
Silva was unquestionably the top performer for East Bengal FC the previous season. He netted an astounding 12 goals and one vital assist, demonstrating a consistent ability to find the net and greatly contribute to his team’s offensive strategy. Despite his age, Silva remains an important player in the Kolkata-based club’s aspirations, and with Carles Cuadrat on the sidelines, his potential for further development is clear.
This dynamic team has a strong track record of collaboration at Bengaluru FC, and they have the skills and experience to fulfill their objectives.
The Brazilian forward is also skilled at making intelligent runs, keeping the ball, and creating scoring chances. His adaptability and variety on the pitch make him a great asset, and we can expect to see his versatility shine brilliantly in the future season.
Mahesh Singh, Naorem
During the previous season, Mahesh Singh made a stunning metamorphosis, earning accolades from all sides for his outstanding performance.
The 24-year-old had a breakout season with the Red and Gold Brigade, scoring two goals and assisting seven times in 19 games. The quick winger not only led the Indian players in assists, but also finished third overall. His outstanding numbers included 59 crosses and the creation of 27 scoring chances. His outstanding exploits in the Indian Super League earned him a well-deserved call-up to the Indian National Team.
With a year of crucial experience under his belt, Mahesh is prepared to play a key role in Cuadrat’s squad, assuring East Bengal FC’s competitiveness during the upcoming season.
Fixtures
East Bengal FC will host Jamshedpur FC in their first game on September 25, followed by another home game against Hyderabad FC on September 30.
On October 4, they will play their first away game against a familiar foe, Bengaluru FC, whom they defeated twice last season.
On December 22, the Red and Gold Brigade will play Odisha FC at home in their penultimate match before the new year.
