The three times Hero ISL champions, ATK FC merged with the National Club of India as well as the I-League champions, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club to form a newly merged entity, ATK Mohun Bagan FC.
Let’s get a look into the detailed analysis of the Hero ISL debutant.
Last Season’s Performance :
Under their Spanish Head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas, the erstwhile ATK FC clinched their third title of the Hero ISL with a nail-biting 3-1 win in the finals against Chennaiyin FC at the Fatorda stadium in Goa. The match was played behind closed doors due to the pandemic outbreak.
Transfer Window dealings : The newly formed merged entity’s activeness in the transfer window was well noticeable.
Additions : The SBOTOP owned outfit had roped into Mohun Bagan’s ISL triumph’s Indian star, SK Sahil. Indian international, Subasish Bose has joined from Mumbai City FC.
Manvir Singh has joined as an Indian striker from the Gaurs after Jobby Justin suffered an ACL injury. And to add some more power to their midfield, Brisbane Roar’s Australian linchpin, Brad Inman had arrived to play for the Green and Maroons.
Spaniard defender, Tiri is all set to the bolster the defence line of ATK Mohun Bagan alongwith their probable skipper for the forthcoming season and Indian national team’s lion heart defender, Sandesh Jhingan.
AIFF Elite Academy talent, Sumit Rathi has joined in order to create history with the Hero ISL debutants and also, Indian U-17 FIFA World Cup goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Monayem has joined the Green and Maroons. Other than that, they have retained most of the ATK FC’s Indian as well as overseas stars including the Fijian forward, Roy Krishna and also, Australian international, David Williams.
Strengths :
The kind of additions they have made, the look quite promising on paper. Their major strength is ofcourse their fast-paced counter-attacks and through balls. With fast paced players like, Edu Garcia and David Williams accompanied distributors from the midfield like Javi Hernandez, Brad Inman and SK Sahil also, with clinical finishers like Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh, ATK Mohun Bagan is surely going to rely on their quick counters alongwith through balls of pinpoint accuracy.
Weaknesses :
There are not any particular weaknesses other than that, ATK Mohun Bagan is expected to have a high-line defence and so, if the defenders fail to drop down with fast pace, then, Antonio Lopez Habas’ team may get troubled by the counter-attacks of their opponents.
Players to watch out for :
Roy Krishna :
The Fijian International had already proved himself last season with a fairytale debut season at the erstwhile ATK FC, clinching the title as their skipper and he is expected to show the same kind of determination this season, for ATK Mohun Bagan.
Sandesh Jhingan :
The Indian defence general, who has joined from the Indian giants, Bengaluru FC, is probable to be seen wearing the captain band and is also going to be the prime asset of the team’s lineup, shielding the opposition’s attacks alongside spaniard linchpin, Tiri.
Squad :
Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharja, Dheeraj Singh, Arsh Shaikh, Aryan Niraj Lamba, Avilash Paul.
Defenders: Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan, Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Subhasish Bose, Sumit Rathi, Boris Singh Thangjam.
Midfielders: Edu Garcia, Javier Hernandez, Carl McHugh, Glan Martins, Michael Soosairaj, Jayesh Rane, Pronay Halder, Bradden Inman, Michael Regin, Sahil Sheikh, Ningombam Engson Singh, Md. Fardin Ali Molla.
Forwards: Roy Krishna, David Williams, Manvir Singh.