In the past few years, Mohun Bagan have gathered few of the best young talents of the country in the club. Last year the squad assembled and put up a promising fight in the RFDL Youth League and qualified for the Next Gen Cup. The highlight in the Next Gen Cup was the draw against Premier League side West Ham United FC. In a surprising decision, Mohun Bagan decided to field that same RFDL reserves Squad for the prestigious Calcutta Football League this time. The young guys did not disappoint, they stepped up!
The Mohun Bagan reserve team performed pretty well and exceeded expectations in the CFL under Bastob Roy. 7 wins and 4 draws in 13 matches resulted in eventually qualifying for CFL Super Six Round.
In the events of current injury crisis at the club, the management has decided to send the same squad to Maldives to play the last AFC Cup group stage game against Maziya S&RC.
In the events of current injury crisis at the club, the management has decided to send the same squad to Maldives to play the last AFC Cup group stage game against Maziya S&RC.
In Today's article, we will try to focus on 7 of the biggest talents (not in particular order) this Mohun Bagan side have. Youths with fire in their eyes have a promises dream of representations the Mohun Bagan senior team in future as key players.
1. Amandeep Singh
Mohun Bagan was busy in the transfer market to lure in Akash Mishra from Hyderabad FC, but the player eventually joined Mumbai City. Mohun Bagan already possessed experienced Subhasish Bose as the Left back who is also our Captain this season. But not getting Akash Mishra meant Mohun Bagan went on the season with one established left back. Here comes Amandeep who was a pivotal part of Mohun Bagan's RFDL squad last season.
A regular in the national Indian youth teams for four years, Amandeep has developed bits and pieces every year. He is solid defensively, and can occupy good positions while overlapping. He dominates the Left side entirely but is flexible in other positions like defensive midfield, centre back when the team needs him. With Subhasish Bose as the only left back, Amandeep might get his chance this time in few occasions. And, we believe he can do a job in that role in the Senior Team as well.
A regular in the national Indian youth teams for four years, Amandeep has developed bits and pieces every year. He is solid defensively, and can occupy good positions while overlapping. He dominates the Left side entirely but is flexible in other positions like defensive midfield, centre back when the team needs him. With Subhasish Bose as the only left back, Amandeep might get his chance this time in few occasions. And, we believe he can do a job in that role in the Senior Team as well.
2. Raj Basfore
A product from the renowned grassroot system of United SC, Raj Basfore was signed for the reserves with a lot of promise. Before signing for Mohun Bagan, Raj featured regularly in I league for Indian Arrows and was pivotal in India's success in the SAFF U-20 championship.
After Pritam Kotal leaving the club Mohun Bagan is in ever need of a versatile defender who can play as a right back and as a centre back. Raj Basfore fits in playing both the roles pretty well. He performed exceptionally when in both the positions in CFL by Bastan Roy. After Suhail, Raj is the most consistent performer for the reserves team.
As a Right back, Raj can be compared to the Manchester City Right Back Kyle Walker. In the ongoing CFL nobody were able to put pressure on Raj. Even the defence played pretty well when Raj was on the pitch, where statistically Mohun Bagan conceded most of the goals after Raj was substituted.
Raj's defensive awareness is brilliant, and it will improve as he is just 20! With Anwar Ali as the only established Indian Centre back in the senior setup, and Ashish Rai as the only right back available, this is the chance for Raj Basfore to impress. We believe, he definitely will!
After Pritam Kotal leaving the club Mohun Bagan is in ever need of a versatile defender who can play as a right back and as a centre back. Raj Basfore fits in playing both the roles pretty well. He performed exceptionally when in both the positions in CFL by Bastan Roy. After Suhail, Raj is the most consistent performer for the reserves team.
As a Right back, Raj can be compared to the Manchester City Right Back Kyle Walker. In the ongoing CFL nobody were able to put pressure on Raj. Even the defence played pretty well when Raj was on the pitch, where statistically Mohun Bagan conceded most of the goals after Raj was substituted.
Raj's defensive awareness is brilliant, and it will improve as he is just 20! With Anwar Ali as the only established Indian Centre back in the senior setup, and Ashish Rai as the only right back available, this is the chance for Raj Basfore to impress. We believe, he definitely will!
3. Ningombam Engson Singh:
When I was speaking with someone who is a fan and regular watcher of Engson, he compared Engson with the Barcelona star Pedri. Engson, a brilliant number 10, shares similar traits to the Spanish youngster, who can occupy space, can spot a runner, if required can drop back and play as a 8. In a nutshell, everything you need from a modern day attacking midfielder.
The competition is tough as Mohun Bagan have Hugo Boumous and Sahal Abdul Samad for the same role, but if you have talent, you can do wonders! If Engson works on his physicality, Mohun Bagan's young player of the year can shine in the big stages in Future.
4. Taison Singh:
Mohun Bagan's foreign offensive recruitment in this transfer window has been questionable but the Indian contingent has performed in patches to lead the team to Glory. One area in the field, where the team can use some depth is the right wing. Manvir Singh is a bona fide starter for that role, Dimitri Petratos is one of the player who can also be deployed as a right winger this time. But, with the rule of playing only 4 foreigners, an Indian right winger will get plenty of minutes.
Manvir is a brilliant for Mohun Bagan, but he will require rest. As a dependable substitute, Taison is progressing well in the ranks. He played pretty well in the RFDL Youth League last time. The Manipuri youngster is building on that performance after putting a good show in the ongoing CFL. An intelligent and quick player, Taison has unique tricks under his belt that can turn the match on momentary brilliance. Taison, just 19, has been operating on a dual role of right wing and right wing back for the team for years. He can have a very successful year if given a chance!
Taison with a worldie vs Mohammedan Sporting today! 🔥💚♥️
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) September 14, 2023
Watch the full highlights on YouTube and Facebook!#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/6NMaSKRz8D
5. Suhail Ahmad Bhat:
A name, which was featured in The Guardian's Top 60 players born after 2005, needs no introduction. The Jammu and Kashmir born forward is the star of the Mohun Bagan reserves team. A staggering eight goals with a hat-trick against Mohammedan in CFL enabled The Mariners to finish third. Bhat was at the center of everything. He has the natural strikers instinct, blistering pace, immaculate positional sense and the most important thing: mercurial finishing capability.
In Bhat, there consists of a Kaleidoscopic mosaic of all the characteristics that a striker needs! Indian Football is in dire need of a striker, who can take the baton from Sunil Chhetri after his retirement. Suhail has all the potential to take the leap of faith.
Previously many players came, performed well for few season and then, went away. But, Suhail's case is different! Hailing from Kashmir, Suhail has the mentality like Cristiano Ronaldo (his idol). Being just 18, Suhail has just started his senior career notching up a goal against Bangladesh Army at the 2023 Durand Cup.
With Strikers like Jason Cummings, Armando Sadiku in the team, chances will be very limited for Suhail in ISL, but as only 4 foreigners can play together, Mohun Bagan will need to put faith on an Indian striker in few games. Suhail, if gets a chance, have all the talent to grab it!
Previously many players came, performed well for few season and then, went away. But, Suhail's case is different! Hailing from Kashmir, Suhail has the mentality like Cristiano Ronaldo (his idol). Being just 18, Suhail has just started his senior career notching up a goal against Bangladesh Army at the 2023 Durand Cup.
With Strikers like Jason Cummings, Armando Sadiku in the team, chances will be very limited for Suhail in ISL, but as only 4 foreigners can play together, Mohun Bagan will need to put faith on an Indian striker in few games. Suhail, if gets a chance, have all the talent to grab it!
TALENT OF THE WEEK
— ISL Talent Scout (@ISLTalentScout) October 26, 2023
Suhail Ahmed Bhat
Age: 18
Country: 🇮🇳
Club: Mohun Bagan SG
Position: ST, CF, LW
Player role: Inside Forward
Strengths: shot power, pace, ball control, movement, technique, agility
Foot: right
Similar type of player: Roy Krishna
Potential: 9/10#isl #mbsg pic.twitter.com/8gjBRnagYG
6. Dippendu Biswas:
Mohun Bagan have plenty of young defensive talents. Dippendu Biswas is another name in that list. Not a Physical monster, but a master in tactical awareness and Great ability to play with the ball, Dippendu caught our eye in the CFL campaign. Dippendu later made his Bengal debut in the Santosh trophy, and won back to back Man of the match award.
With the current squad having very less backup options, Dippendu should get a chance in the senior set-up very soon.
7. Abhishek Suryavanshi:
Some Honourable mentions:
Captain Sumit Rathi has a big season coming as he is poised to be the 2nd choice Indian CB in the senior squad. After being the emerging player with ATK, Sumit joined Mohun Bagan the following season and is currently captaining the reserves side. Hopefully a big season is coming for him.
Apart from Rathi, Arsh is set to stay as the 2nd choice goalkeeper with the main team.
Fardin Ali Molla played pretty well in the ongoing CFL, and in long run, can become a crucial player for Mohun Bagan.
Also Sibajit, Ravi Rana will get their deserved chances in the senior team in near future!
Apart from Rathi, Arsh is set to stay as the 2nd choice goalkeeper with the main team.
Fardin Ali Molla played pretty well in the ongoing CFL, and in long run, can become a crucial player for Mohun Bagan.
Also Sibajit, Ravi Rana will get their deserved chances in the senior team in near future!
