3 ways in which Mohun Bagan Super Giant can line up their attack in 2024-25
The 2024-25 summer transfer window for Indian football is well and truly underway, with the Indian Super League (ISL) clubs signing, extending, and offloading players. The Shield winners from last season, Mohun Bagan Super Giant have splashed a lot of cash to acquire some top talents once again.
Jose Molina, the former ISL winning coach of ATK, has been handed the reins by management, as he replaces the veteran Antonio Lopez Habas in the hot seat. Molina has been swift in making headline signings, as the club replaced as many as four of their foreigners.
Out went Joni Kauko, Hector Yuste, Brendan Hamill, and Hugo Boumous, and the likes of Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Jamie Maclaren, and Greg Stewart were signed. Out of the four headline signings, two are forwards. With Dimitri Petratos and Jason Cummings retained Molina is spoilt for choice in picking his attacking combination.
Here are three potential ways in which Mohun Bagan could line up their attack next season.
#1 Maclaren and Cummings pair with Petratos as the 10
For all three combinations, Mohun Bagan's effective 3-4-3 setup under Habas has been used. In the first method, Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings - two of the most lethal strikers in the A-League of late, could forge a terrifying partnership up front.
Behind them, they could thrive from the support of Dimitrios Petratos, who has been Mohun Bagan's most efficient forward in the last two years. Maclaren and Cummings are both known for their clinical ability in the box and the two would gobble up any chances presented to them.
Petratos would do more of the toiling and shoulder the responsibility of orchestrating the attacks and creating opportunities for the duo, something he had done last year for Cummings and Armando Sadiku.
#2 Maclaren and Petratos duo with Stewart as the 10
Another way in which Jose Molina could plan his attacking line is by pushing Petratos up and deploying the enigmatic Greg Stewart in the hole behind the strikers.
Stewart was the recipient of the ISL Hero of the League in the 2021-22 season for his exploits at Jamshedpur FC. He went on to sign for Mumbai City and won many accolades. He could mark his return to India by striking up a lethal trident with the speedy Maclaren and the wily Petratos.
Having the technical ability of both Petratos and Stewart would allow Mohun Bagan to play some delectable football even as Maclaren remains prepared to pounce when the opportunity arises.
#3 Cummings as lone striker with Petratos and Stewart as two floating 10s
Another combination could see Jason Cummings lead the line with Petratos and Stewart operating behind him in a very fluid front three.
Albeit a little complex, this system could have some serious merit to it once all the players get accustomed to it. Having three technically gifted forwards in the starting XI and the speedy Maclaren on the bench as a super sub could have explosive repercussions for the opponents.
Molina has a dilemma of luxury going into the new season of Indian club football, with four foreign forwards at his disposal who could potentially start for most other clubs in the league given their sheer ability.
It will be very exciting to see how the Spaniard lines up his attack, with the Durand Cup set to help him test his team. Watch out for any of these combinations as the Mariners gear up for a long season ahead.