The Indian Super League and the I League both are running parallel together for the first time and as the Indian transfer window opens, a lot of the teams will be busy in the market buying players and strengthening their teams.
In this marathon league, it is almost always the team which has the better bench strength and team composition that wins. Keeping that in mind, a number of clubs would want to make some changes.
Here, we take a look at all the transfers that have taken place after the Indian football season got underway.
Indian Super League
ATK
Last season’s champions have had the worst start to their ISL campaign. Along with a string of poor performances, the team has suffered a lot of injuries which has led to some star players missing vital matches for the Kolkata-based franchise. ATK signed Ryan Taylor as a replacement for injured Carl Baker.
In: Ryan Taylor, Komal Thatal
Out: Carl Baker
Northeast United FC
The Highlanders have had a poor start to the season, and have been miserable in front of goal, having just scored four times so far in eight games. They have created chances but have failed to convert them so far.
In: Helio Pinto, Ishan Debnath
Out: Adilson
Delhi Dynamos
The Delhi-based side has to win nearly all their remaining games if they are to give themselves a chance of qualify for the knockout phases, something that seems to be a Herculean task. Delhi have been having problems in their defensive and goalkeeping departments.
In: Xabi Irureta, Shubham Sarangi
Out: N/A
Chennaiyin FC
The Super Machans have had another good start to the season, as they look to be one of the front-runners to secure a playoff spot. The balance with which Chennai have played is also very impressive.
In: Aman Chhetri (from reserve side)
Out: N/A
FC Pune City
FC Pune City have been the team to beat this season as they have been in high flying form and from the start of the season. Their have the most potent strike force in the league with Alfaro and Marcelinho upfront and have Jonathan Lucca pulling the strings from midfield.
In: N/A
Out: Wayne Vaz (loan), Pawan Kumar (loan)
Kerala Blaster
Kerala haven't had the best of starts to their ISL campaign. Former coach Rene Muelesten handed in his resignation and first season manager David James has arrived to take over the reigns in the Blasters' dugout.
In: Kizito Keziron
Out: N/A
Jamshedpur FC
The latest team in the ISL has had a decent start to the season. One can also call them draw experts for their ability to get a point from nearly every game. They have one of the best defences in the league but it is their attack that has given the side a few problems.
In: Wellington Priori
Out: N/A
Bengaluru FC
The Blues from Bengaluru have had a great start to the ISL. They are already billed as one of the title favourites for this season, and are on track to book a playoff spot. Albert Roca has not made any new signings since the start of the current ISL season, so far.
In: N/A
Out: N/A
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai are another team that have had a bright start to the ISL season and have been in fine form, exhibiting some fine footballing performances so far. Balwant Singh's return from an early-season injury has also helped their chances up front.
In: N/A
Out: N/A
FC Goa
Goa’s strikers have been a cause of worry for all the teams as they have been running riot against this season. They are one of the hot favourites to win the title this season.
In: H Lalmuankima
Out: Jovel Martins (loan)
I-League
East Bengal
The Red and Gold brigade are top of the table and are playing some fine football. But their faithful would say that they need to play even better football. They are one of the favourites to win the I-League this season.
In: N/A
Out: N/A
Mohun Bagan
The Mariners haven't had the best of starts to the I-League and have already seen their coach Sanjoy Sen resign from his post after a string of draws. Mohun Bagan have been facing a lot of issues due to injuries and that have hampered their game-play.
In: Cameron Watson
Out: Diogo Ferreira
NEROCA FC
The side from Manipur has been a revelation this season after having put in some spirited displays against league heavyweights East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. NEROCA are currently third on the points table and will hope they can progress further up from here on
In: Nedo Turkovic
Out: N/A
Aizawl FC
The fairytale champions of last season haven't yet got their campaign off the mark properly, as inconsistency has been a key for them, with a host of their players from last season joining different I-League and ISL teams.
In: N/A
Out: H Lalmuankima
Shillong Lajong
The ever-present team from the Northeast in the I-League, Lajong has not had the best of starts as per their demand. They did perform brilliantly against Mohun Bagan to snatch a point from them but the 3-0 loss to the Indian Arrows.
In: N/A
Out: N/A
Indian Arrows
The AIFF’s youth development project the, Paillan Arrows had been a success of sorts with players like Jeje Lalpekhlua, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalrindika Ralte, Pritam Kotal, Narayan Das all coming through the youth team. This year, the team is made up of players from the U17 and U19 national team that represented the country in the U17 World Cup and the U19 AFC Championship qualifiers.
In: N/A
Out: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem
Minerva Punjab
Minerva have surprised everyone with the start they have had this season. They are second on the points table and have a game in hand compared to the league leaders East Bengal.
In: N/A
Out: N/A
Chennai City FC
Chennai City FC is the joker of the pack, so far in the ISL. They have lost to the Indian Arrows but defeated the mighty Mohun Bagan with 10 men on the pitch. Predicting how Chennai are going to play is turning out to be a very difficult.
In: N/A
Out: N/A
Gokulam Kerala FC
The Kerala-based side hasn’t had the best of starts to their I-League journey. They have been able to secure just one point from the 7 games they have played so far and their performance hasn’t been up to the mark either.
In: Odafa Okolie
Out: Leo Mbele, Khaled Alsaleh
Churchill Brothers
The only side in the I-League from Goa has been having a terrible time. Churchill have so far lost all their five games this season, and are rock bottom with zero points. The club has made wholesome changes to the squad with as many as seven new faces being included in the team.
In: Koffi Mechac, Hussein Eldor, Bektur Talgat, Cisse Gwada, Jovel Martins (loan), Wayne Vaz (Loan), Pawan Kumar (Loan), Kalu Ogba
Out: Precious Emuejeraye, Eric Obbina, Peter Omoduemuke, Monday Osagie