Indian Football Transfers: Kerala Blasters wrap up Mario Arques, Sergio Cidoncha for next ISL season
Kerala Blasters are finally making some sensible signings as they have zeroed in on two Spaniard midfielders from Jamshedpur FC for the next Indian Super League (ISL) season.
After finishing one spot from the bottom of the table in this ISL, Blasters are really looking to revamp their entire squad and management. After reportedly signing Rahul KP earlier, Blasters have strengthened their midfield now with the recruitment of Mario Arques and Sergio Cidoncha.
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Arques was Jamshedpur's most creative player this season, helping them finish fifth on the ISL table. He scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists for JFC but his biggest contribution was in those touches and contributions in the midfield. In 18 matches, he took 1311 touches and made 1126 passes for Jamshedpur.
Blasters really needed someone creative in the midfield this season to combine well with Sahal Abdul Samad and Arques will fit into that role well.
On the other hand, Blasters will also address their scoring problems with the signing of the attacking midfielder Cidoncha.
Slavisa Stojanovic and Matej Poplatnik were woeful for Kerala this season and Courage Pekuson showed a bit of promise towards the end of the league stage campaign for Blasters. However, these three players may not be retained by Blasters next season.
Cidoncha is quite consistent in his role as a playmaker. He had 3 goals and 3 assists for Jamshedpur FC in the ISL and is a dead-ball specialist.
Both the players are in their prime with Cidoncha the older of the two at 28. Arques is 27. While Cidoncha is a product of the Atletico Madrid youth system, Arques graduated from the Villarreal academy.
The players will move only next season from Jamshedpur as they are expected to play in the Hero Super Cup, starting from March 29.
Jamshedpur FC seem to have retained two of their foreign recruits in Tiri and Memo. However, they will have to fill up their slots in the midfield for the next season in the transfer market.