3 reasons why Hugo Boumous is a pivotal signing for Odisha FC
After a challenging few months in his otherwise illustrious football career, Hugo Boumous has joined Odisha FC to work under Sergio Lobera. The France-born midfielder, known for his consistent performances in the ISL over the years, surprisingly lost his place in the Mohun Bagan Super Giant squad in the second half of last season, prompting his switch to Odisha.
Boumous brings with him significant pedigree, which certainly leads to high expectations for him to make an immediate impact. He is also returning to familiar surroundings, having previously been coached by Lobera at both FC Goa and Mumbai City FC.
Upon signing the contract, Boumous expressed that one of the main reasons for his decision to join the club is the ‘ambitious project’ they have in place.
"I am excited to join Odisha FC for the next 3 seasons. A growing club with an ambitious project where I will look to bring value to the team. I’m happy to reunite with Sergio Lobera, a coach with whom I had a lot of success in the past. Looking forward to meeting my teammates and everyone in Odisha to get ready for the new season."
Under Lobera’s leadership, this project will undoubtedly have Boumous as a central figure in the upcoming season. After finishing fourth in the ISL last season, Odisha FC will look to go one step further and compete for the title.
Here are three reasons why Boumous’ arrival will be a stepping stone in helping the club achieve this ambition.
#1 Hugo Boumous adds a different dynamic to Odisha FC attack
Boumous’ arrival allows Lobera to shift to his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, featuring an attacking midfielder who can both create chances and score goals. Last season, this was not the case, as the Juggernauts often played in a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on creating chances from wide areas.
Lobera now has the option to be more flexible in his approach, with the ability to create from the middle of the park. Additionally, he has the luxury of resting either Diego Mauricio or Roy Krishna and bringing them on as substitutes if Plan A doesn’t work, given that both are game-changers.
This flexibility in chance creation will add much-needed dynamism to Odisha FC, who were arguably quite one-dimensional towards the end of last season. Moreover, Boumous himself is very versatile, capable of starting on the left or right flank and drifting inside, which provides Lobera with numerous options to adjust his starting lineup, making Odisha both unpredictable and efficient.
#2 Reduces creative burden on Ahmed Jahouh
Jahouh was central to Lobera’s plans last season. Every bit of play involved the Moroccan, who dominated the game from deeper areas with his vertical passes. Jahouh created the most chances for Odisha FC (47), the fourth highest in the league. More importantly, all of Odisha’s ball progression started with him.
When he was taken out of the game, the team looked vulnerable and struggled to create consistent chances. Many of their patterns were disrupted, with players around him failing to find solutions.
This is where Odisha will benefit from having Boumous. The Frenchman has consistently ranked among the top 10 in the ISL for chances created, and his career numbers in the ISL speak for themselves.
In 103 appearances, Boumous has recorded 29 goals and 36 assists, making him one of the most lethal attacking midfielders in the league when given freedom in the middle of the park. Consequently, the reliance on Jahouh to progress the play and create chances from deeper areas will be reduced.
#3 Experience of winning trophies
Boumous, of course, brings quality to the team. While there has been some criticism about his form in the last couple of years, the midfielder is still in his prime, turning 29 this year. He certainly needs the right environment and role to thrive, and having played under Lobera before, he is likely to benefit from it.
But more importantly, Boumous brings valuable experience in winning. He has been part of three teams that consistently compete for top honors each season. This could be crucial for Odisha FC, a club relatively inexperienced in contending for the biggest price.
Boumous has won two trophies with FC Goa, two more with Mumbai City, and has also secured the Durand Cup and ISL Cup with Mohun Bagan. He has completed the set in Indian domestic football and is known for stepping up, especially when the going gets tough. His experience, alongside the likes of Roy Krishna and Ahmed Jahouh, will ultimately benefit Odisha FC in the long run and support their project.