Five players East Bengal should target under Carles Cuadrat

These players will certainly give the team a boost in their quest for a playoff spot next season.

East Bengal FC recently made a key change by replacing Stephen Constantine with Carles Cuadrat as their head coach. The former Bengaluru FC tactician will lead the club next season onwards and brings a winning mentality to the club. It is no surprise that the Red & Gold Brigade aim to be one of the title challengers in the Indian Super League. However, it has been a target they're yet to achieve. 

East Bengal FC finished ninth on the league table at the end of ISL 2022-23 and definitely need more quality in the squad to make a strong case for a playoff spot next season. All the teams around them will recruit players to strengthen their squads and the Red & Gold Brigade must do the same.

There are plenty of areas to fix for Carles Cuadrat in the upcoming season. As the club readies itself to step in a new era, here are the five players that it should sign under the new head coach.

Chinglensana Singh

East Bengal FC needs an Indian centre-back who has composure on the ball. Chinglensana Singh fits this profile well. His development under Manolo Marquez has been brilliant. His partnerships with Odei Onaindia and Juanan were impressive and got HFC a lot of success.

The defender won ISL 2021-22 with the Nizams. He can forge a strong partnership with Lalchungnunga, who loves to make tackles and disrupt confidence of opposition forwards. An Indian pairing at the back will allow Cuadrat to employ more foreigners in attacking roles, thereby solving the problems in scoring.

Ishan Pandita

Ishan Pandita needs regular game-time. His involvement in Jamshedpur FC’s 2022-23 campaign in the ISL and the Hero Super Cup was limited, which was disappointing for fans. The 24-year-old only saw 626 minutes of gametime in the league last term.

Ishan Pandita and East Bengal FC could be a match made in heaven. The Red & Gold Brigade need an Indian striker who has the ability to finish and can hold the ball in the attacking third in build-ups. Pandita also has the knack of scoring from the bench, something Carles Cuadrat will relish.

Sahil Tavora

Several changes could take place at Hyderabad FC in the upcoming season. Manolo Marquez is close to leaving and joining FC Goa (pending confirmation), which may lead to several personnel changes too.

Sahil Tavora’s reputation as an impact substitute needs to end. He needs regular playing time to fully leave his impact on the ISL and make a strong case for a national team call-up. EBFC can offer this to the player and a move benefits both parties.

Laldinliana Renthlei

Laldinliana Renthlei’s development in the last two seasons is exemplary. The Jamshedpur FC defender is one of their most consistent players. He did well in the ISL and Hero Super Cup, helping the club reach the semis in the latter.

The 24-year-old has already played 75 matches in the ISL, recording 6169 minutes of game-time. His experience will be vital in strengthening the defence. Stopping the leakage of goals is one of the areas that Carles Cuadrat needs to fix on priority.

Javi Hernandez

East Bengal FC need to make a statement signing that will roll heads and establish their intentions in the upcoming season. Snatching Javi Hernandez from Bengaluru FC is a move that the club can consider.

The attacking midfielder was sensational for the Blues during the 2022-23 season, reaching three finals and winning the 2022 Durand Cup. He scored seven goals and made five assists in the season for BFC. The Spaniard can gel well with Carles Cuadrat and help the tactician implement his tactics on the pitch. He is the type of leader that EBFC desperately need in the squad.