Five players Hyderabad FC should target this summer

The club has a few key areas of focus in order to improve the squad for the upcoming season.

Hyderabad FC have the difficult task of adding more quality to their team before the start of the new season. Manolo Marquez has left the club and will be soon joining FC Goa as their new head coach. Furthermore, an important figure like Akash Mishra is also getting closer to leaving the Nizams to join Mumbai City with Mohun Bagan Super Giant still in the hunt, according to previous reports by Khel Now.

These changes will shake the foundations of Hyderabad FC which was performing sensationally for the past two seasons. The club’s meteoric rise from bottom feeders to title challengers is inspirational. Their 2021-22 ISL trophy win was a brilliant outcome of the team’s spirit and togetherness. 

However, there are areas in the squad that need attention and recruitment heading into the next season if the club aims to remain amongst the top teams in the ISL. Here is a look at five players that Hyderabad FC should sign this summer.

Naorem Roshan Singh

In a scenario where Akash Mishra leaves Hyderabad FC, the club has to replace him with a quality player. Naorem Roshan Singh is a brilliant option to fill the gap that would be created by Mishra’s departure.

The full-back can play on either wing, is ambidextrous and loves to make darting runs forward to contribute in attack. He fits well with the type of gameplay that HFC puts its faith in. The Nizams must ensure that they replace Akash Mishra with a quality player and not repeat the mistake of not replacing Asish Rai when he left to join the Mariners.

Anirudh Thapa

Hyderabad FC has one of the best holding midfielders in the Indian Super League in Joao Victor. The skipper is a force in the midfield and leads by example. However, he needs support and someone like Anirudh Thapa will be an upgrade over the likes of Hitesh Sharma and Sahil Tavora.

It will be difficult to lure Chennaiyin FC’s captain away from the club but HFC must be ambitious in recruitment. Anirudh Thapa’s arrival will send shockwaves in the ISL and make HFC a dangerous opposition. The midfielder has 103 appearances in the ISL and will bring experience plus a winning mentality to the side.

Federico Gallego

Hyderabad FC are in desperate need of a creative midfielder. Joel Chianese was disappointing during the 2022-23 season for the Nizams. He had two goals in 20 appearances, which is simply underwhelming for a player of his stature.

Federico Gallego has found a new lease of life at Mohun Bagan after recovering from long-term injuries. Hyderabad FC needs someone like Gallego in the No.10 role, someone who can influence the game single-handedly, play penetrative through balls to the wingers, and combine with the striker.

Ishan Pandita

A domestic striker upfront is the need of the hour for Hyderabad FC. They are reliant on an ageing Bartholomew Ogbeche for goals.

Ishan Pandita is desperate for more gametime. While playing for Jamshedpur FC, the striker went on to record only 626 minutes of playing time during the 2022-23 season.  

Vikram Pratap Singh

Hyderabad FC needs an energetic and adventurous forward. Vikram Pratap Singh fits that profile extremely well. Halicharan Narzary struggled for consistency in his form and Mohammad Yasir often was the sole figure providing a threat from the wing.

In this situation, HFC must flex its muscles and try to land Vikram Pratap Singh from Mumbai City FC. His pace and hunger to score goals will add a new level of threat to the Nizams’ attack.