I-League: Are Goan players finally ready to settle at Kolkata clubs?

Otherwise the list of Goan flops in Kolkata is long with many coming with a high reputation and failing in the City of Joy. Some recent failures include Bibiano Fernandes, Bernand Pires, Vincent Pires, Mickey Fernandes, Fredy Mascarenhas, Riston Rodrigues and Covan Lawrence.

A lot of it is down to the cultural differences as it’s not easy for Goans to get used to the life in Kolkata and but on the pitch also there are difficulties because every player is under intense pressure while playing for a Kolkata giant.

Hence, there is very little margin for errors and the ones who do have a couple of bad outings end up warming the bench for the rest of the season just like Cavin Lobo at East Bengal last season.

But are things changing now? Because this season we have already seen four Goans move to Kolkata. Three of them – Joaquim Abranches, Rowilson Rodrigues and Adil Khan – are among the most talented players Goa have produced recently and are currently part of the Indian national team setup.

While Dempo legend and India wide midfielder Anthony Pereira has also decided to try a new challenge with Mohun Bagan after spending his entire career in his home state, Goa.

It is worth noting, that even in the past Kolkata clubs had more financial power than Goan teams so that cannot be the only factor behind this new trend. In fact, there is a paradox as teams in Kolkata are believed to be having a financial crisis but such has been the under achievements of Mohun Bagan in recent years that they have paid more than double than what Anthony, who is well past his peak now at 31, was being offered at Dempo.

The most important reason though has to be the increase in the number of foreign coaches at I-League clubs. Previously with the presence of someone like Armando Colaco, Goan players wouldn’t contemplate the risk of trying their luck in the high pressure environment of Kolkata.

Joaquim Abranches was convinced to remain at Dempo by Armando Colaco last year

A prime example of the above factor is Joaquim Abranches, who for the last two seasons had held advanced talks with East Bengal and last year even agreed personal terms. But on Armando’s advice, Joaquim remained with Dempo. However with Armando ending his 13-year association with Dempo this time, the 27-year-old finally decided to join East Bengal.

The possibility of seeing more Goan players in Kolkata clubs in the future depends heavily on how the quartet mentioned above fares but one can only sense that the presence of so many foreign coaches has changed the scenario completely as now a player, irrespective of his place of birth, would be more eager to play for a coach like Karim Bencherifa than give importance to problems such as home sickness.

However it could all end up being a one season phenomenon if the newly-arrived Goans also flop. So only time will tell us whether the Goan footballers are actually ready now to settle at Kolkata clubs.