Five players East Bengal should target under Sergio Lobera

The tactician needs better quality players in order to deliver success for the Red & Gold Brigade.

East Bengal are set to sign Sergio Lobera as their next head coach. He is close to succeeding Stephen Constantine after the club did not achieve playoff qualification at the end of the Indian Super League’s 2022-23 season. The Kolkata-based club has high ambitions and aims to compete for the league title alongside heavy hitters of Indian football.

In order to achieve this objective, they need a figure who has the experience of winning trophies in India. Sergio Lobera fits the profile as he has won the ISL League Winners' Shield twice, one Super Cup and one ISL Trophy. His work with FC Goa and Mumbai City was remarkable and acquiring his services will be a major statement of intent by East Bengal.

However, they also need to provide the right kind of players that will help Sergio Lobera deliver success at the club. Here are the top five players East Bengal should sign under the head coach:

Ahmed Jahouh

Ahmed Jahouh has previously worked with Sergio Lobera at FC Goa and Mumbai City. The midfielder has buckets of Indian Super League experience. He has represented the Islanders in the AFC Champions League. He has won three ISL League Winners' Shields and one ISL Trophy.

Ahmed Jahouh is one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the ISL. He has 112 appearances in the competition, playing over 9370 minutes of football. His passing accuracy, vision and set-piece quality will certainly help East Bengal in their ambitions.

Qi Wang

Qi Wang plays under Sergio Lobera at the Chinese club Sichuan Jiuniu. The defensive midfielder is brilliant at his job and can add quality to the East Bengal midfield. He is 27 years old and the Kolkata-based club can afford his services.

He is a deep-lying playmaker, a profile that East Bengal need in the line-up. The midfielder got two goals and provided five assists from 20 appearances in the Chinese League One 2021-22 season. 

Jorge Ortiz

Jorge Ortiz has prior experience of playing in the Indian Super League. The Spaniard has won the Durand Cup and featured for FC Goa in the AFC Champions League. He is currently playing for Sichuan Jiuniu in China under Sergio Lobera’s leadership.

The tactician would like to bring Jorge Ortiz with him to the ISL so his tactical plans can take effect quickly. However, the attacker has a clause in his mutual termination agreement with FC Goa that bars him from playing at another Indian club till May 2024. In order to sign Ortiz, East Bengal will have to pay a compensatory fee to FC Goa.

Edu Garcia

Edu Garcia is also playing for Sergio Lobera at Sichuan Jiuniu in China. He has experience of playing in India for multiple ISL clubs. The Spanish midfielder played for Bengaluru FC, ATK, ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC.

Edu Garcia has 14 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances in the ISL. He won the ISL Trophy during the 2019-20 season and will bring a winning mentality to the Red & Golds.

Ishan Pandita

East Bengal need an Indian striker who can lead the line and score goals for the team. One of the best players in this profile who needs a regular game-time is Ishan Pandita. A move will be mutually beneficial for both parties.

Ishan Pandita built a reputation for being an impact substitute for FC Goa and also to some extent at Jamshedpur FC. However, the 24-year-old needs to start regularly to also make a case for a spot in the striker’s position for the senior national team. He will be a free agent in summer and East Bengal should go for him!