East Bengal set to sign Mandar Rao Dessai on a multi-year deal

The Red and Gold are close to making their first significant capture of the summer transfer window.

Mumbai City FC left-back Mandar Rao Dessai is set to sign for East Bengal on a multi-year deal in the summer transfer window, sources close to the development have informed Khel Now. The former FC Goa captain has struggled for game-time due to the emergence of Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Sanjeev Stalin.

East Bengal will part ways with Stephen Constantine after a disappointing season in-charge. The Super Cup is an excellent opportunity for the present East Bengal players to show their mettle, as another summer of changes and transition beckons.

About the player

Mandar Rao Dessai has represented four clubs throughout his career. He started off with Dempo, before making his ISL debut in the 2014 season for FC Goa. After a short stint with Bengaluru FC, Mandar signed a permanent deal with FC Goa, leading the Gaurs to the 2019 ISL final, Super Cup victory in 2019 and the League Winners’ Shield in 2019-20. 

He secured a switch to Mumbai City FC and quickly became a vital cog in the team’s 2020-21 ISL win. He has since added two more ISL League Winners’ Shields to his impressive cabinet. Mandar has the second-most ISL appearances in the league's history, having recently been overtaken by Pritam Kotal.

East Bengal’s season

After a promising start under Stephen Constantine, East Bengal’s season was marred by inconsistency and transfer failures. They sank further down the table despite reinforcements arriving in January, as the other mid-table teams picked up the pace. 

Currently preparing for the Super Cup, East Bengal have the individuals to mount a strong challenge, but often lack cohesion as a unit. They need to bring in consistency to their style of play and acquisitions like Mandar will help the team in achieving exactly that.