5 reasons why East Bengal will win I-League 2017/18
With India's Premier Football League, the I-League less than a week away, Sportskeeda analyses the chances of East Bengal winning the I-League in the upcoming season. Have a look at the five reasons why we think the Red and Golds from the Mecca of Indian Football can win their maiden I-League title this time around.
#5 Revamped team
With the Indian Super League running parallel with the I-League, East Bengal were forced to give away several of their big names to the cash rich franchise tournament .Rehenesh TP, Narayan Das, Rahul Bheke, Jackichand Singh, David Lalrinmuana, Romeo Fernandes, Rowlin Borges, Mehtab Hossain, Abhinas Ruidas, T.Haokip and Robin Gurung were the players who were picked up by the ISL Franchises. East Bengal also released Ivan Bukenya and Wedson Anselme after a disappointing 2016-17 season.
This change of the roster can be a blessing in disguise as this brings out a lot of fresh energy and unpredictability in the squad. East Bengal promoted several academy graduates like Prakash Sarkar, Mehtab Singh and Deepak Kumar to the first team which will add the important factor of being pubescent into the team. East Bengal brought in Brandon Vanlalremdika, Lalramchullova, Laldanmawia Ralte, Gabriel Fernandes, VP Suhair and a few other rising Indian stars which can be very vital in East Bengal's upcoming I-League adventures.
The Red and Golds have also brought in changes in their coaching staff as well by roping in I-League winning manager Khalid Jamil who wrote a beautiful fairytale by winning the I-League with Aizawl FC last season. His reading of the game and placidity can prove vital to eke out results in tough games.
The club's management did yet another brilliant job by snapping up Mohun Bagan fan favourite Katsumi Yusa to the team. His abilities will prove lethal upfront. To add on to this, Mahmoud Al-Amna was also snapped up from Aizawl FC, whose brilliant ability to hold-up play will help the forwards get better service from the midfield.
East Bengal also brought in Djar Miranda Garcia, who was pivotal in Mohun Bagan's recent success on the national level, as their physical trainer for the upcoming season.