Indian Super League outfits SC East Bengal have announced a 33-men squad for the upcoming Indian Super League season. The Red and Golds will be led by their new head coach Manolo Diaz as they look to right all the wrongs from the last campaign.
Despite starting late in the transfer market, they have managed to secure a balanced roster with several experienced players across all departments mixed with a lot of talented youngsters. It is now on the coaching staff and players to deliver as the fans are looking to a reply after a shocking debut season in the ISL.
“The squad has balance and a mix of youth and experience. We have players who have been there in the league from its inception. The foreign players have also played at the highest level and we believe the overall depth of this squad is good,” said SC East Bengal head coach Jose Manuel Diaz.
Their biggest domestic acquisition this season has to be of Arindam Bhattacharya joining the club. The former ATK Mohun Bagan who won the ‘Golden Glove’ last season will be the last line of defence for SC East Bengal in the current campaign. Apart from Arindam, the team has signed players like Adil Khan on loan to bolster the defence. His versatility to play in defence and also in midfielder as a defensive screen will only help Diaz with more options.
The club has brought in a new look foreign contingent for the new season. Firstly former perth Glory defender Tomislav Mrcela has joined the club. The Australian defender is known for his physicality and sturdy defending. To compliment him SC East Bengal have roped in Croatian centre back Franjo Prce. Unlike Mrcela, P[rce is more of a passer and a defender who likes to play the ball out from the back. He has plied his trade with Lazio in the past and it speak volumes about his quality.
In midfielder Slovenian international Amir Dervisevic will look to control the tempo. He is the midfield general among the foreigners. He is known for his creativity and vision to find teammates in tight spaces. Accompanying him Dutch midfielder Darren Sideol also joins the club. The youngster is an energetic defensive midfielder and has previously played under Diaz at Hercules. Sidoeld brings in a lot of fo energy and his ability to break up plays and recycle possession.
Lastly, in attack former Molde striker, Daniel Chima will be partnered by Croatian international Anotio Perosevic. Both the forwards have a decent resume but it is their in-game performance that will determine their credentials.
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharya, Sankar Roy, Suvam Sen.
Defenders: Daniel Gomes, Joyner Lourenco, Raju Gaikwad, Adil Khan, Hira Mondal, Ankit Mukherjee, Goutam Singh, Tomislav Mrcela, Franjo Prce, Sarineo Fernandes, Akashdeep Singh.
Midfielders: Jackichand Singh, Sourav Das, Angousana Wahengbam, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Md Rafique, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Bikash Jairu, Amir Dervisevic, Darren Sidoel, Romeo Fernandes, Songpu Singsit, Loken Meetei.
Forwards: Balwant Singh, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Naorem Mahesh, Siddhant Shirodkar, Daniel Chima Chukwu, Antonio Perosevic, Subha Ghosh.
