Which foreigners should East Bengal replace in January?

The management is mulling over changing some of their overseas players in the upcoming transfer window.

East Bengal began the season right from scratch, yet again. After two-year long investor Shree Cement Limited departed from the club in 2022, East Bengal roped in Emami as their new investor. The club went through the entire process of team building yet another time. New players and former Indian national team coach Stephen Constantine were signed ahead of the current season.

Compared with their dismal performances over the last two years, the Red & Golds' start to this season has been quite better. While the side won only one game in the previous season, they have already won two out of their six games this time.

Currently, the side is in the eighth position with six points. A top-six finish at the season's end is very much possible if the club can show a little bit of consistency going forward. In this regard, some of the players, including foreigners, have faced flak from fans and pundits. The club management too, is considering the idea of changing some members of their foreign contingent in the January transfer window.

Here, we will take a look at the foreigners whom East Bengal should replace.

Charalambos Kyriakou

Charalambos Kyriakou joined East Bengal at the beginning of the season, right before the Durand Cup. He is a versatile footballer who can play in a variety of roles. However, compared to the foreigners of other teams, Kyriakou lacks the qualities of a specialised defender or midfielder. Even though he has become a starter for East Bengal in the midfield, he is not a box-to-box or playmaking midfielder. Till date, at East Bengal, he has played as a right-back, centre-back and left-back apart from the current central midfield role.

Moreover, Ivan Gonzalez is the only specialised foreign defender in the side. If the Spaniard gets injured, it will be a cause of worry for the club. Of course, it can't be said that Kyriakou is a poor recruit! He has performed decently well. But a player completely devoted to the defensive third will be of much effect to the club who can deputize for Gonzalez if the need arises.

Alex Lima

Another foreigner whom East Bengal may replace in January is Alex Lima. East Bengal is in a dire need of a box-to-box, playmaking midfielder who can provide stability in the middle of the park. The rule binding teams to have only six foreigners in the squad might see Lima losing his spot if the club wants to accommodate a new foreign midfielder who can work in such a role.

Barring the first two ISL games, Lima has largely been absent due to an injury. Even in the following matches in which he took the field, he looked very unfit. He could not portray his natural game to make the opposition uncomfortable. As per reports, these are the primary reasons that might propel the East Bengal management to replace him in the upcoming window.

Eliandro

The most obvious name in this list is Eliandro. Eliandro is under fire from fans and media right from the Durand Cup days. He has appeared thrice for East Bengal in the ISL but has not scored yet. He did not even look threatening in any of these games. Moreover, there are concerns regarding his fitness, as he spent a large time of pre-season working on the same.

After the first ISL game, he suffered an injury which again moved him out of action. As of now, he does not look fully fit to play for 90 minutes. Because of such shortcomings, East Bengal is largely dependent on Cleiton Silva for goals. This, in turn, is exerting more pressure on the Brazilian veteran. Moreover, it has become difficult for Stephen Constantine to substitute Cleiton in a match.

At 35, it is really tough for a striker to carry the same momentum for the entirety of a football match. Hence, it becomes imperative for the Red & Gold management to rope in an explosive striker who can score goals and ease the pressure off Cleiton.