How will East Bengal FC's attack line up for ISL 2024-25 after signing Madih Talal and Dimitrios Diamantakos?
Hushed anticipation, warning cues, the onset of despair, and ultimately visible frustration have been the trajectory of emotions enveloping East Bengal fans every season. But that was until Carles Cuadrat stepped in last summer.
Yes, even under his tutelage the Torchbearers finished ninth in the Indian Super League (ISL) standings, but an unlikely victory in Super Cup 2024 gave a second wind to their sails. With an AFC Champions League 2 preliminary qualifier spot earned, East Bengal have become a lucrative destination for any arriving players.
The club have ensured to play their cards right, assembling a team capable of putting up a show in continental and national competitions. There are still areas to improve across the pitch, but attack is one department where they have made incredible miles.
For the upcoming season, the East Bengal attack will comprise Madih Talal, the highest assist provider in the ISL last season, ISL 2023-24 Golden Boot winner Dimitrios Diamantakos, Kalinga Super Cup top scorer Cleiton Silva, and finally Durand Cup 2023 Golden Boot winner David Lalhlansanga.
But at the end of the day, these are just records, just numbers, how would that translate on the pitch? Well, let's take a look.
How will Madih Talal fit into the East Bengal system?
In simple terms, the 26-year-old will link midfield and the attack, a proponent that the Torchbearers were drastically lacking previously. But that's only half of it. Madih Talal isn't just an upgrade over Victor Vazquez or Borja Herrera for his ability with the ball but for his movement off it.
The Frenchman can meander into pockets of spaces between the defensive lines, which could play dividend against low-block teams. Vazquez possessed a similar quality, but his questionable fitness prevented the Spaniard from being a menace on the transition. With Talal, there aren't any limitations in these regards, at least none visible.
Carles Cuadrat will likely allow plenty of freedom to the former Punjab FC talisman in the final third. That would open the pathway for Madih Talal to drift to the flanks and overload if the opportunity arises. Both Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nandhakumar Sekar are reliable in carrying the ball down the middle, so the Frenchman will find plenty of glee when he drifts wide.
Will Naorem Mahesh Singh and Nandhakumar Sekar be the first-choice wingers?
At this moment, no doubt should arise regarding Naorem Mahesh Singh or Nandhakumar Sekar's inclusion in the starting lineup. The likes of Vishnu PV and Sayan Banerjee have shown some blistering form off the bench, but both are yet to threaten the established hierarchy.
For Mahesh, last season's performances were slightly underwhelming compared to his previous standards, but this wasn't due to a lack of effort. His assists tally from the year before didn't translate, primarily because Cleiton Silva's finishing saw a major dip. Additionally, the 25-year-old winger was often tasked with carrying the ball up the pitch from deep, while Nandhakumar frequently operated as the inside forward.
With East Bengal now having Talal, alongside Saul Crespo, Mahesh Singh will have plenty more freedom to push up the pitch. Then his ability to cut in or drift wide and whip in a delicious will fetch more goal-mouth action.
Dimitrios Diamantakos to lead East Bengal's attack line; but what happens to Cleiton Silva?
Probably the least of Carles Cuadrat's headaches will be choosing the man to lead the East Bengal attack, especially when you have the previous season's Golden Boot winner at your disposal.
The Red and Gold Brigade struggled for goals throughout the season, with Cleiton failing to replicate his blistering form of the past. The Brazilian forward could only accumulate eight goals through the 2023-24 season, compared to his staggering tally of 12 in the previous outing.
With an all-rounder forward option of Diamantakos' caliber onboard, plenty of problems for Cuadrat's side will find solutions. Naorem Mahesh's crosses will find a more lethal head, through balls into the area will find a more agile striker and hooved balls from deep will have a more resilient figure dueling for it.
When skipper Adrian Luna was sidelined for a considerable period, Diamantakos took the attacking mantle on his shoulders and continued to rack up some memorable performances and astounding numbers. In East Bengal, one expects the 31-year-old will find plenty more support and could experience a richer vein of form.
But what about Cleiton Silva? East Bengal have retained the services of the Brazilian who single-handedly kept their attack ticking through a cloud of uncertainty. Well, although undoubtedly his performances dipped over the past season, the veteran forward will still bring plenty of experience whenever called upon. The Durand Cup followed by the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL 2) will unravel more about how he can contribute moving forward.
Even when he was bagging goals for fun, Cleiton was never an out-and-out box striker. But the 37-year-old does have the quality to step into the role of a backup forward if need be, or even be thrown into a two-striker system if a kitchen-sink situation arises.
In ACL 2, with six foreigners allowed in the starting lineup, the Brazilian might be preferred to start behind Diamantakos, pushing Madih Talal out wide in place of either winger. If he gets his creative juices flowing, Cleiton could also prove to be a capable standby for the Frenchman.
What will be David Lalhlansanga's role going into the upcoming season?
Will he be just a backup? Unlikely. Will he be an outright starter? Definitely not. However, expect the 22-year-old to get a run-in during the curtain-raiser Durand Cup. If last season's Golden Boot winner can replicate his form in the competition yet again, Lalhlansanga could earn significant minutes throughout the season, either making an impact off the bench or occasionally from the first whistle.
But the former Mohammedan striker will have to tread with caution, and so will Cuadrat and East Bengal. Lalhlansanga will have to resist any effort to push him out wide and suffer the same fate as many Indian strikers. With the Torchbearers competing in five tournaments this season, the prodigal forward will have ample opportunities to shine for his new club, but likely not from the get-go.