3 reasons why Greg Stewart is potentially Mohun Bagan Super Giant's best signing for the 2024-25 season
Mohun Bagan Super Giant have further strengthened their attacking department by signing former Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC attacking midfielder Greg Stewart. The Scotsman, who has signed a one-year deal with the club, arrives with high expectations from the Mariners’ faithful.
Stewart is a well-known figure in Indian football and has been instrumental in both Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City’s title-winning seasons. After leaving the Islanders at the start of 2024, the 34-year-old will now be eager to don the famous Green and Maroon jersey with the aim of winning his third league title in India.
Speaking to the Mohun Bagan media after signing his contract, Stewart described the feeling of playing for the Kolkata giants as a dream come true.
"It has been a long dream of mine to play in Kolkata - the mecca of Indian football. I am familiar with most stadiums across the country and have won personal accolades as well as championships during my time in Indian football. However, to play for a historic and legacy-rich club like Mohun Bagan and don the famous colours of Green and Maroon will be a completely different feeling," Stewart said.
On paper, this signing appears to be an exciting one, particularly given Mohun Bagan’s formidable attack. It will be interesting to see how Jose Molina integrates Greg Stewart into his plans, but considering his pedigree and quality, the Scotsman is sure to make a significant impact.
On that note, here are three reasons why Greg Stewart could be Mohun Bagan’s signing of the summer.
#1 Greg Stewart is an all-round midfielder
A player of Greg Stewart’s profile is certainly rare. He can play in multiple positions across the midfield, but his ability to read the game and execute passes makes him one of the best players to have set foot in the ISL. Despite his age, Stewart is arguably still one of the most lethal attackers in the league.
Molina’s utilization of him will be interesting, given that Bagan already has the likes of Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, and even Petratos, who can play in his position. However, this is where Stewart’s versatility comes into play. He can essentially be deployed anywhere across the front three or as a number ten and still be efficient, provided he has runners ahead of him.
His numbers speak for themselves - 41 goals and assists in 50 games is extremely impressive, and with Bagan’s strong attacking lineup, this trend is likely to continue. Beyond his quality, his profile and flexibility to slot into any position up front and still be effective is a massive asset for Bagan, especially considering they will be competing in four competitions this season.
#2 Stewart’s presence will benefit both Dimitri Petratos and Jason Cummings
This is perhaps an area where Mohun Bagan struggled last season despite winning the ISL Shield. Hugo Boumous failed to make an impact and was eventually left out of the squad, while Sahal was largely injured. Consequently, much of Bagan’s attack came from the flanks with Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco, leaving the creative burden on Petratos.
If they continue this approach, opponents could predict it and restrict their key attackers. In this context, Stewart’s presence provides the head coach with more options for attacking patterns.
Additionally, it will decrease the burden on Petratos and allow him to stay closer to the penalty area, where he is absolutely clinical. It will also give him the freedom to drop deep, link up with Stewart, and make dashing runs into the box, potentially increasing his numbers even more.
However, Greg Stewart’s arrival is most beneficial for Jason Cummings, who is the epitome of a poacher. With both Petratos and Stewart supplying him from the middle and Manvir and Colaco providing support from the flanks, Cummings can pin defenders, create space for his teammates, and be in the right place at the right time to score goals, something he did plenty of last season.
#3 Experience of winning in India
There is certainly no substitute for a winning mentality, and Greg Stewart embodies this trait. His arrival was a major factor in Jamshedpur FC’s historic league title victory, as he contributed 11 goals and 10 assists and won the player of the season award.
His move to Mumbai City FC then propelled the club from a fifth-place finish to a record-breaking season, where they won the league title. Stewart was once again a cornerstone of their attack, scoring and assisting eight goals, while creating the second-highest chances in the league, only behind his new teammate Petratos.
It is clear that Greg Stewart is a game-changer wherever he plays, as he brings with him the experience of winning titles. Bagan already have a strong winning mentality within their squad, and Stewart’s addition only raises the standards and reinforces their ambition to continue winning.