Mumbai City FC winger Bipin Singh is on the verge of joining East Bengal FC, with sources indicating that the Kolkata club currently lead the race to sign him. However, reactions from East Bengal fans have been mixed. While some are excited to see Bipin don the red-and-yellow jersey, others are sceptical about whether the winger has already passed his prime during his stint with Mumbai City.
Even some former East Bengal footballers have expressed doubts about the impact Bipin can make at this stage of his career.
Mehtab Hussain, a former East Bengal stalwart, remarked, “Bipin has passed his prime at Mumbai. There’s no doubt he’s an extraordinary footballer and has scored many goals for them, but whether he is still in prime form remains to be seen.”
Alvito D’Cunha echoed Mehtab’s sentiments, adding, “Bipin left his prime in Mumbai, but I’ll be the happiest if he can prove me wrong.”
Kolkata isn’t unfamiliar territory for Bipin. He initially rose to prominence in the ISL while playing for the now-defunct Atlético de Kolkata, famously scoring a stunning free-kick against FC Pune City. He later joined Mumbai City FC, where he spent the peak years of his career, winning both the ISL Cup and the League Winners’ Shield twice. Bipin has made 157 appearances for Mumbai City, scoring 28 goals and registering 16 assists.
However, his recent form has raised concerns. Last season, Bipin struggled to make an impact and failed to provide the cutting edge upfront that he was once known for. He managed just one goal in the ISL, which came against North East United FC in Shillong—ironically, the city where he once played for Shillong Lajong FC. He added another goal during the Super Cup but overall had an underwhelming season.
While his current form is worrying, some believe that last season might just have been an off year. There is hope that Bipin can revive his form in the upcoming campaign.
With prolific wingers like Naorem Mahesh Singh and PV Vishnu, who recently signed contract extensions, already in the squad, questions remain over whether Bipin is being brought in as a starting XI option or as a backup to strengthen East Bengal’s bench.
That said, Bipin’s playing style could perfectly align with that of the East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon, who favours fast-paced, free-flowing wingers who avoid holding on to the ball for too long. Under a similar philosophy at Mumbai City, Bipin flourished, especially with former head coach Sergio Lobera.
If he can put last season’s struggles behind him and rediscover his flair down the flanks, Bipin has the potential to become a key figure under Bruzon.
Another point of contention among fans is Bipin’s age—he turned 30 this March. Some argue that the club should have opted for a younger prospect. However, East Bengal are already grooming young talent like PV Vishnu in their setup. With the upcoming season shaping up to be a make-or-break campaign for the club, there is little room for trial and error. The Red-and-Gold Brigade need instant results, and Bipin’s experience could prove invaluable.
To put it in perspective, arch-rivals Mohun Bagan SG continue to rely on 29-year-old Manvir Singh, who remains a vital asset for their squad. So why not Bipin?
The real test for Bipin will be coping with the intense pressure of playing in Kolkata—a city where expectations run sky-high and scrutiny is constant. If he can handle the heat and focus on regaining his top form, there’s every chance he could silence the sceptics and win over the East Bengal faithful.