How Mohun Bagan Shapes Up For The 2026-27 Season

bySagnik Chakraborty -

New Season sets off with New Coach, Players and New Vision for Mohun Bagan.


New season is about to kick off and Mohun Bagan is ready to have a fresh start after a chaotic last season. The senior team will start their journey with the Kolkata Derby in the Durand Cup on the 25th of July. However, this time, Bagan is adapting a refreshingly pragmatic approach to their squad building. Moving away from very high profile "bomb signings" like Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, Joni Kauko, Greg Stewart, or Alberto Rodriguez, the club is prioritizing squad balance, tactical fit and proven domestic familiarity over hype. The management targeted established foreign talent with proven track records in Indian and South Asian football.


Key Signings of Mohun Bagan in 2026-27 Season

1. Miguel Figueira (from East Bengal)



Crossing the derby divide, the former East Bengal playmaker, who dominated last season's ISL as Golden Ball winner, brings elite creative vision, seamless adaptability, and valuable experience from his time in Bangladesh. The arrival gives Mohun Bagan something they have missed for years: a genuinely complete and versatile midfielder. Comfortable as a No. 6, No. 8, or even in an advanced creative role, he offers tactical flexibility that allows the coach to reshape the midfield without compromising balance. His game is built on relentless work rate, intelligent positioning, progressive passing, and the ability to dictate the tempo while contributing at both ends of the pitch. Whether it is breaking opposition lines with incisive passes, carrying the ball through midfield, or pressing aggressively to win back possession, Miguel can influence every phase of the game. After Joni Kauko, Mohun Bagan have finally found a foreign midfielder capable of truly owning the centre of the park– a player who can plough through the middle, control transitions, and provide the authority that has long been missing in the heart of the mariners' midfield.

2. Samir Zeljkovic (from Punjab FC):



Again, Samir Zeljkovic is the profile Mohun Bagan have lacked for quite some time– a natural defensive midfielder with the intelligence and versatility to seamlessly slot into central defence as well as central attacking midfield whenever required. While his primary role is as a No. 6, his career has seen him operate regularly as both a defensive midfielder and a centre back as well as central attacking midfield, making him a genuine hybrid rather than an emergency option.

What makes Zeljkovic particularly valuable is his understanding of defensive space. He is positionally disciplined, reads danger early, protects the passing lanes, and excels at shielding the back four before attacks develop. His physicality allows him to compete in duels, while his composure on the ball ensures he doesn't simply win possession - he builds up on it from the deep. When the situation demands, he can comfortably drop between the centre backs to create a back three during possession or move into central defence without disrupting the team's defensive structure. When trailing behind, he can play as the pivot CAM in the midfield and attacking third, who isn't afraid to penetrate into the box and score all by himself.

For Mohun Bagan, this signing ticks a crucial tactical box. This profile addition gives the coaching staff immense tactical freedom, whether switching formations mid-game, coping with injuries, protecting a lead or building attacks from the back.

3. Dejan Drazic (from FC Goa):



Naturally an attacking midfielder and equally effective from the left wing, the Serbian possesses the talent and technicality to operate across multiple roles in the final third. He can start wide before drifting into central pockets, to function as a classic No. 10 between the lines, play as a second striker alongside a centre forward, or even lead the line when tactical flexibility is required. Throughout his career, he has featured primarily as a left winger while also regularly operating as an attacking midfielder and on the right flank, highlighting his adaptability.

His close control, vision, and ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas make him a nightmare to mark, while his eye for goal ensures he remains a genuine scoring threat. His performances during his FC Goa days have demonstrated that he can both create and finish chances, making him far more than a conventional winger.

His profile also opens the door for tactical experimentation. If Panos Dilmperis opts for a fluid attacking setup, Drazic has all the attributes to operate as a false nine. A false nine thrives on movement, linkup play, and creating overloads rather than remaining fixed on the last defensive line – qualities that align well with DJ's game.

4. Rahul Bheke (from BFC):



As talks continue on Young Dippendu Biswas's possible transfer to Chennaiyin FC, bringing in Rahul Bheke on a one year contract is a masterstroke. The 35-year old national team player brings leadership, top-flight experience, and immediate tactical reliability. He comfortably operates as a standard Right Back, or a Right Centre Back. If the head coach transitions to a three at the back setup during matches, a defensive unit comprising Rahul Bheke, Alberto Rodriguez, and Mehtab Singh offers an ideal blend of physical dominance, aerial strength, and tactical intelligence.

5. Alex Saji (From SC Delhi):



Comfortable in multiple defensive roles, Alex gives Mohun Bagan greater options to rotate without compromising stability in the back. His composure, aerial presence, and ability to build from the back add another dimension to the team's structure. In a season packed with domestic tournaments and full-fledged league fixtures, having a dependable, versatile Indian defender strengthens squad depth and reduces the burden on the first choice backline, making this a smart, long term investment rather than just another transfer. With Mohun Bagan having just one traditional foreign Centre Back this season, the shift in squad depth from recent seasons will be better adjusted by reliable Centre Backs signings with long-term potential like Alex Saji.

Other Signings:



Lallianzuala Chhangte from Mumbai City FC is undoubtedly going to be Mohun Bagan's marquee signing of the season. Arguably the best right winger in Indian football in current day and age, his arrival ends a long standing pursuit by the Mariners. His signing marks a major upgrade on the right flank. While Manvir Singh has been a consistent performer for Mohun Bagan over the years, injuries affected his form last season, resulting in a below-par campaign. Chhangte brings explosive pace, directness, creativity and proven end product, instantly elevating the quality of the squad and strengthening one of the team's most important attacking positions. His signing is subject to medical clearance.

Another signing in the works is a foreign No. 9, who will challenge Jamie Maclaren for the striker position. According to MBFT, the club is making rapid development on this new recruitment, and very much expected to be done soon!

Fixing the Tactical Voids



In recent seasons, Mohun Bagan struggled with a noticeable lack of pace and control in central midfield - a vacuum left largely unfilled after the departure of Joni Kauko and Greg Stewart. The additions of Figueira and Zeljkovic directly address this issue, restoring equilibrium, dynamism and composure to the engine room. Coupled with Drazic's versatility in the final third, the squad looks far more cohesive and structurally sound. In modern football, players with this dual profile are invaluable, and these signings fit that mould perfectly.

Trusting the Process



Complementing this pragmatic recruitment is the appointment of 56 year old Panos Dilmperis as head coach. Coming off a disciplined stint at Punjab FC, Dilmperis may not boast a trophy laden resume but he carries a strong reputation for youth development, structural organization and building sustainable tactical systems.


For the Mariners faithful, this tactical pivot demands a shift in mindset as well. Building a resilient, system-oriented team takes time. Mohun Bagan has gone through a major revamp with plenty of new players and coaching staff arriving this season. The fans must cultivate patience and grant Coach Dilmperis the time necessary to establish his philosophy and lead Mohun Bagan into this new chapter.

Building a successful footballing project requires vision, time, and above all, stability. Demanding the sack of a newly appointed head coach after conceding a single goal in the second match of the Calcutta Football League is not just premature; it is fundamentally illogical. True support isn't tested when the team is winning comfortably, but when the team struggles to meet its demands and the faithful stand in solidarity for the team to rise up again. If Mohun Bagan is to establish a modern, sustainable and tactical identity under Panos Dilmperis, the fans must act with maturity. It is time to move beyond short-sighted hostility and reactionary comments. Instead, place your faith in the coach's vision and the players. Give them the patience, trust and backing they need to deliver results.


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