One of East Bengal’s major weaknesses last season was their underwhelming performance in the full-back positions, which significantly held the team back throughout the campaign. The Red and Gold brigade had signed Mark Zothanpuia and Provat Lakra to bolster their side-back options, which already included Mohammed Rakip and Nishu Kumar. However, none of them managed to live up to expectations.
Determined to bring back the club’s glory days, East Bengal are looking to strengthen their squad in the upcoming transfer window, with fixing their full-back woes being one of their top priorities.
The Kolkata giants are exploring all available options in the market. For the left-back position, their primary target is Punjab FC wing-back Abhishek Singh. East Bengal’s Head of Football, Thangboi Singto, was seen in the stands during the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar to closely observe Abhishek’s style of play. If all goes well, Abhishek is expected to don the Red and Gold colours next season. Without a doubt, he is one of the most promising Indian players to watch out for in the coming years.
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On the right side, the club has enquired about city rivals, Mohammedan SC’s wing-back, Vanlalzuidika. The Mizo defender has displayed commendable defensive solidity in his 22 appearances for the Black and White brigade in this ISL season. Before joining Mohammedan, Zuidika was part of the same Aizawl FC squad that brought talents like Lalchhanhima and David Lalhlansanga into the spotlight.
In addition to these two, the club is also exploring talents from the recently concluded I-League. Churchill Brothers’ wing-back, Lamgoulen Gou Hangshing is on their radar. The Manipuri full-back had an impressive season, scoring two goals and providing one assist, although he is yet to be tested in the ISL.
The club is also expected to undergo a revamp of their foreign contingent, as reported earlier by RevSportz. They are in search of overseas players suited to their coach’s philosophy—players who can give the team an edge in the upcoming season. However, addressing the subpar performances of their wing-backs remains a key objective, as they look to build a well-balanced and competitive squad for the challenges ahead.
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