5 players who could leave Bengaluru FC at the end of this season

Bengaluru FC is a side which has won almost everything to be won in their short existence of six years.

From the Federation Cup, I-League, Super Cup to the Indian Super League, the Blues have added it all to their Trophy Cabinet, making them the most successful Indian Club in recent years.

The JSW-owned Football Club have made headlines very often across the Indian Sports Media with their massive Social Media presence and professional administration, resulting in successful seasons, year-in-year-out. This season was no different as well.

The Blues topped the league stage of the Indian Super League (ISL) courtesy their consistent performance throughout the four months with just four losses and as many as 10 wins.

They outperformed NorthEast United FC in the semi-finals and made it to the final, where an Extra-time header from Rahul Bheke scrapped Bengaluru FC through to their maiden Indian Super League title.

However, Bengaluru FC could not repeat their Super Cup 2018 feat this season, losing to Chennai City FC in the quarter-final to end their season.

The Blues might have had a very successful season as usual, but several of their key players may part ways with the club at the end of this season with reasons of their own. Some of them are as follows.

Also see : Womens World Cup Bracket, Copa America Standings, Gold Cup Standings

#5 Kean Lewis

Kean Lewis was not given enough game time

After making Indian Football headlines, being one of the very Indians to play in the American Football System, Kean Lewis has come a long way.

After his tenure with Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, Houston Dynamo and Laredo Heat, he returned to India. Since then, he has featured for Mohun Bagan, Delhi Dynamos and Pune City before signing up for Bengaluru FC prior the 2018-19 season.

Carles Cuadrat has failed to use the pacy winger and makeshift attacking midfielder to his full potential. Lewis got to feature in 15 of the 18 League stage games, but mostly as substitutes with just a totality of 529 minutes under his belt.

The Goan failed to make any impact with his skills and just managed an assist in the entirety of the season. The surfeit of quality wingmen and midfielders in Bengaluru FC just hasn't allowed Kean Lewis to show the quality he possesses on the pitch.

Lewis' contract expires at the end of May 2019 and there is a good possibility, the Indian winger moves to a new Club for professional reasons.

#4 Luisma Villa

Signed as a replacement for outgoing winger Chencho Gyeltshen, the former Racing Santander and Alaves man just could not get enough time to show what he can do.

With just 5 games under his belt, the Spaniard failed to eke out any goal or an assist to his name. Marred with the presence of quality midfielders and wingers such as Dimas Delgado, Udanta Singh and Xisco Hernandez, Villa just could not make the cut to the first team.

The Spaniard's lack of game time and exposure makes him one of the few players who may not be in Carles Cuadrat's plan for the next season. His contract also being a short-one is expected to not be extended by the end of the season.

#3 Alex Barrera

Alex Barrera arrived late and was not productive enough in the short span.

Under similar circumstances as Luisma Villa, another Spanish Midfielder Alejando Barrera Garcia was signed up on a short-term deal by the Blues to replace an injured Erik Paartulu in February.

He featured in all the three games in the Play-offs with two starts. However, he failed to provide an assist or score himself in the 250 minutes he played.

He also played the entire game against Chennai City FC in the Super Cup in a lost cause. Despite, being a regular starter in the short period he donned the BFC Blue, Barrera may just not make the cut for the next season.

Erik Paartulu is still on a Bengaluru FC contract and may return to the Club after his injury making it further difficult to Barrera to retain his place.

#2 Xisco Hernandez

Better offers for Xisco Hernandez may snatch him away from Bengaluru FC

The former Mallorca and Elche Defensive Mideo has had a wonderful season ahead of the Bengaluru Defence.

With 20 games under his belt, the Spaniard has managed to assist 5 times and score one himself. With a 69% passing accuracy, Xisco has shown the sturdiness and the ability to hold-up play which has played a key role in Bengaluru's maiden Indian Super League title.

However, Xisco Hernandez's resolute displays for the JSW-owned team have attracted teams from Asia and Europe as well. A better offer from a club across the Eurasian region may well be on the table, taking the Spaniard elsewhere.

This would not be surprising after Edu Garcia managed to go to the Chinese Super League after a brilliant display for the Blues last season.

#1 Miku

Bengaluru FC may not be able to afford Miku's high wage demands.

Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores, also known as Miku has never been out of the news in the last two years or so, as far the Indian Football Media is concerned.

From banging goals week-in-week-out to attracting big Money offers from Asia. Bengaluru's 33-Year old Venezuelan Talisman has been the talk of the town ever since.

Miku has had a phenomenal two seasons at Bengaluru FC. He romped up 15 goals in 20 games in his inaugural Indian Football season.

He continued his splendid form in the 2018-19 season as well. Miku found the net 5 times, assisted 4 goals in the 12 games he played.

His trickery and change of pace up front have been a nightmare for any defender. However, he suffered an injury in the middle of the season which ruled him out for more than six games.

Miku has been approached many times by Indian Football heavyweights ATK and East Bengal in the past.

The Venezuelan has attracted offers from China as well. At one point of time, it even looked Bengaluru may fail to keep him at the club given the lucrative offers on the table for the striker.

The same transfer ordeal may again strike Bengaluru FC after the season which may eventually end Miku's tenure in the Garden City.

Edited by Alan John