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Mohun Bagan is a potential contender for the I-League title this year and are likely to reclaim it after a gap of 2 two years, with East Bengal being the only threat to the Mariners. Most of the star players for the last three seasons have left the club to play in the glamorous Indian Super League. Yet, mastermind Sanjoy Sen along with deputy Shankarlal Chakraborty have managed to stitch together a formidable side.
Let us have a look at the players who will play a vital role for Mohun Bagan in their hunt for a record 5th League title:
#5 Dipanda Dicka
Mohun Bagan roped in Dipanda Dicka at the beginning of this season though he played for Mohammedan Sporting Club during the Calcutta Football League. He represented Shillong Lajong FC in the I-League last year and was the striker of the tournament scoring 11 goals in 17 matches.
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Continuing his form in the Calcutta Football League, he found the back of the net 12 times in the 9 matches when he played for the black and white outfit. The Cameroonian is a prolific striker and is expected to offer a goal fest if the team co-ordination works according to the plan.
Along with Ansumana Kromah and winger Sony Norde, Mohun Bagan arguably have the best attack in the I-League. With East Bengal being the only other strong team in the league, the chances of the century-old club winning the annual tournament is very bright.
#4 Kingshuk Debnath
Kingshuk Debnath has been a part of the team for a long time, performing consistently throughout. He is one of the few players from the 2014-15 I-League winning team to still feature in the current squad, unlike others who have signed for various teams in the cash-rich Indian Super League.
Though he is not one of the youngest players in the squad, his experience will count in the upcoming I-League. Debnath was part of two ISL winning squads with Atletico de Kolkata in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
His physical appearance doesn’t resemble a defender yet he is quite capable of keeping the opponent’s attack in check. Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen has a lot of faith in the veteran and will be of real help to the team if he lives up to the expectations.
#3 Ansumana Kromah
Ansumana Kromah was the stand out performer for Mohun Bagan in the local league which is why the midfielder was retained for the I-League. A very hardworking player, the Liberian can hold the ball and distribute it to the forwards.
Kromah came into limelight last season when he was representing Churchill Brothers. He featured in 13 matches for the Goan side and even scored 6 goals. The game maker will play alongside winger Sony Norde, and if the combination of the duo works properly, it will be nightmarish for the opponent’s defenders.
The only remark against the foreigner is that he often tends to hold the ball for a long time, allowing the defenders to settle in. With Japanese Katsumi Yusa joining arch-rivals East Bengal earlier this season, Kromah has big shoes to fill in his absence.
#2 Chesterpaul Lyngdoh
Chesterpaul Lyngdoh is till now the find of the season for Mohun Bagan following his energetic performance in the local league for the Kolkata giants. The youngster from Meghalaya has the ability to make quick runs along the flanks and deliver the ball to the strikers.
Not only that, he also scored a gem of a goal for the Mariners earlier this season at their home ground. Lyngdoh started his career playing for his school team in the Subroto Cup and then got a call from the state U-19 team. The midfielder made his professional debut earlier this year against East Bengal in an I-League encounter.
After that, he was selected to join the Pune FC academy and then finally settled in Churchill Brothers last year. With the majority of last years’ Mohun Bagan’s I-League players shifting loyalties to ISL teams, a lot of responsibility is on Chesterpaul’s shoulders, it will be interesting to see how he performs under crunch situations.
#1 Sony Norde
Haitian winger Sony Norde has arguably been the best foreigner in the I-League for the last few years. His excellent display in his first season with the Mariners helped them lift their first I-League title in the 2014-15 season, ending a 13-year trophy drought.
Sony continued his dream run with the Kolkata-based club the next year too, steering them to a record 14th Federation Cup title. A very skilful player, he can turn the fate of a match within minutes. The footballer from the Caribbean islands is also a specialist in set-piece movements and even scored an excellent goal from a free-kick against arch-rivals East Bengal last season.
He already became a fan favourite when he overlooked numerous offers from ISL cubs and signed for Bagan for the fourth season on the trot. Missing the I-League title by a whisker in the each of the last two seasons, the hopes of the passionate Mohun Bagan supporters will rest on their talisman.
