ISL: Five ways Puitea can help ATK Mohun Bagan

The 24-year-old joins the Mariners from Kerala Blasters.

ATK Mohun Bagan has confirmed the signing of Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea) from Kerala Blasters. He will be joining the club on January 1 and be available for the second half of the Indian Super League (ISL) season.

With Juan Ferrando lamenting his side’s injury curse this season, even claiming that he had to hold training with 12 players and even staff members at times, new signings will always be welcomed by him. But in Puitea, he gets a talented, hard-working midfielder who knows what it takes to excel in the ISL.

He was unfortunate to lose his spot at Kerala Blasters this season, but can now write something special with the Mariners. With that being said, let’s look at five ways how Puitea can help ATK Mohun Bagan.

5. Help improve bench strength

ATK Mohun Bagan has really struggled with injuries and unavailabilities all through this season. Ferrando has sometimes been forced to play with three foreigners and zero foreign options on the bench. Their normal bench options aren’t really up to the mark. They are not of the quality needed to compete for championships. So in the form of Puitea, ATKMB gets a player with knowledge of how to challenge for top prizes.

He was an important part of Kerala’s success last season, making 20 appearances for them in which he registered 3 assists. Even if he doesn’t start some games, the 24-year-old can be a lively impact substitute. He can come in when the opposition team wears out and add a surge of creativity and energy to the midfield. Lenny Rodrigues has lost his creative spark and ATKMB fall short in creative options if Hugo Boumous is taken off. But Puitea’s addition can help remove that error. He can help set up chances late into games if brought on off the bench.

4. Solid alternative for Deepak Tangri

Puitea proved himself as a really aggressive and hound-like midfielder last season. He averaged 4+ tackles and almost 2 fouls every game, giving his side a pocket of energy in pressing the opposition. He can be played in place of Deepak Tangri, who should now get a bit more rest during games. Puitea has the capability of acting as a deeper midfielder, knowing when to put in crunching tackles and protect his backline from trouble.

Moreover, his impressive distribution ability and forward passing should also help in progressing the ball out of the backline more smoothly. Ferrando can now spark up his midfield with a hard-working option like the 24-year-old. He can ensure his side doesn’t slack off in every other game.

3. Should add a lot of character to ATKMB

The 24-year-old plays with his heart on his sleeve and has shown the determination to give his everything for the club he represents. He has the hunger to succeed in football and keep improving, qualities which Ferrando should be happy to have in his players. Puitea should help build character in the ATKMB squad, as he is a relentless personality himself. On the pitch, the 24-year-old is an absolute livewire who is willing to run the extra mile to regain possession or set up chances for his team.

Off it, he is disciplined and will definitely be willing to allow Ferrando to make him a better player. He’s patient, doesn’t complain much and is has the positive attitude that the Spanish gaffer craves in his squad. Puitea can help bring the hunger for competitiveness into some of his teammates and glow up the morale of the squad with his arrival.

2. Allows Ferrando more options for midfield pivot

Juan Ferrando has been forced to line his ATKMB side up very similarly for the last few months because of injury issues. Deepak Tangri has featured heavily, while Lenny Rodrigues has played at times. But the introduction to Puitea can help provide another distinct player in his centre-midfield options. He can now try a number of combinations for the second half of the season.

Be it playing Puitea with the sturdy Carl McHugh or even with Tangri, which can allow playing two foreign centre-backs or three foreign attackers, Ferrando’s scope of options will be greatly increased. Puitea is a versatile, talented player who can fulfil a number of roles if asked to. That itself should be a blessing for the Mariners. It’s now upon the Spanish manager to use him smartly in order to get the best out of his January signing.

1. Comes aboard with decent ISL experience

Puitea is well aware of how to shine in the ISL because he has been playing in the league for quite some time now. He made his debut in the 2018/19 season. He has almost been a regular in the ISL for the past four seasons. The 24-year-old has already made 65 ISL appearances and helped both NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters to the playoffs on two separate occasions.

He has scored one goal and provided five assists, which is decent for a player in his position. The 24-year-old’s experience should help him settle into ATKMB nicely and help them charge for an audacious league championship win. While he might not be guaranteed to start every game, Puitea can be a smart January signing for the Mariners and add that added drive needed to help them take their performances to a higher level.