It’s a new season, but it feels like the same old East Bengal. Despite their storied legacy, the club have struggled to live up to the name since joining the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) in the 2020-21 season. Their best league finish remains 9th — achieved twice.
Coming into this ISL season, fans and critics alike had high hopes for the red-and-gold shirts, buoyed by their Super Cup success in January and a few star signings. However, the start has been far from promising, with three consecutive league defeats and five losses in total, including a disappointing Durand Cup campaign where they failed to reach the semifinals.
After their recent 3-2 home defeat to FC Goa, frustration among the fans boiled over. Angry supporters surrounded the team bus, chanting ‘Go Back Carles’, a clear message to the head coach, Carles Cuadrat. Ironically, these same fans had once dubbed him ‘El Profesor’, likening him to the mastermind from La Casa de Papel, after he delivered the Super Cup – East Bengal’s first major trophy in twelve years. But what has caused this drastic change in sentiment? Why are fans now calling for the departure of the very coach who brought them success earlier this year?
Somorthok ra khushi noy! #EBFCFCG #ISL2024 pic.twitter.com/t9UEAc5K3Y
— Rohan Chowdhury (@RohanDC98) September 27, 2024
Let’s begin with the much-anticipated new signings and their performances. Greek striker Dimitrios Diamantakos, last season’s top scorer, and Frenchman Madih Talal, the top assist provider, were expected to bolster East Bengal’s attack. However, neither has lived up to expectations so far. Diamantakos missed the FC Goa match due to an injury, with Cuadrat opting not to risk him because of the long season ahead. Talal showed flashes of his dribbling skills during the Durand Cup but has yet to truly impress in the league, aside from a penalty contribution against FC Goa and a few isolated moments.
Midfielder Jeakson Singh, brought in from Kerala Blasters, has also struggled to make an impact in his first three games. His ball control and distribution, which made him a valuable asset for the Blasters, have been conspicuously absent in his performances for East Bengal.
Strong message from the @eastbengal_fc Ultras! @ebultras1920 @EBRPFC pic.twitter.com/4wXuzJGCxQ
— Rohan Chowdhury (@RohanDC98) September 27, 2024
One of the major problems for East Bengal this season has been the lack of coordination in midfield. Aimless sideways passing and frequent miscommunication have disrupted their build-up play, often forcing the defence to resort to long balls forward — a strategy that has yielded little success. This is especially concerning given that the team had a full two-month pre-season and played together in a tournament. Cuadrat will need to address these issues if they are to improve.
Injuries and fitness problems have also plagued Cuadrat’s squad. One of last season’s standout players, Spanish midfielder Saul Crespo, was a key figure in their Durand Cup campaign. However, Crespo reportedly played through dengue in East Bengal’s second ISL match against Kerala Blasters, which severely hampered his performance. Unsurprisingly, he was left out of the squad for the Goa game.
The full-back positions have been another major concern. Nishu Kumar and Provat Lakra, both new signings and full-backs, have yet to make their debuts due to injuries. Mohamad Rakip, who started the season at full-back, was also absent for the FC Goa match with an injury. These frequent fitness issues raise questions about the medical and physio teams, as well as the recruitment strategy, given how many players have arrived with pre-existing injuries. This lack of fitness, combined with poor coordination, has left the team vulnerable to counterattacks.
On a brighter note, young players like P Vishnu, Aman CK, and Sayan Banerjee have impressed whenever given the opportunity, especially Vishnu. However, Cuadrat has used them sparingly, likely due to the ongoing Calcutta Football League (CFL) commitments, where these players are part of the second team’s main plans. Once the CFL concludes, these young talents could become key assets for the senior team. Cuadrat, though, has yet to find the right combination, and both form and injuries are contributing factors. Additionally, Nandhakumar Sekar has looked out of sorts, and Cleiton Silva may not be fully fit.
Finally, the Anwar Ali transfer saga continues to cast a shadow over the team. The media hype and fanfare surrounding his move have made it seem as though winning the transfer window has become more important than winning matches. With a burden of Rupees 40 crore hanging over his head, including transfer fee, salary and possible sanctions, Anwar is undoubtedly feeling the pressure. His debut against Kerala Blasters saw a costly mistake that led to a goal. While it’s speculation, there’s a possibility that the saga has had a negative psychological effect on the rest of the squad as well, adding to the overall disarray. Needless to say, the amount of money involved is humongous and the hype surpassed all previous Indian transfers.
Considering all these factors, it would be unfair to place the blame solely on Cuadrat. The players share equal responsibility for the team’s struggles, and if they are to turn things around, they need to work in harmony, alongside the support of the fans. Impatience from the fanbase, such as the ‘Go Back’ chants, only adds to the turmoil. Sacking the coach would likely create more confusion and send the team back to square one — not to mention the financial burden of terminating his contract.