Five players Mumbai City FC should sign this summer

The Islanders can bolster their squad for a title defense with these exciting additions.

With the 2022/23 season coming to a close, each of the three competitions has had a surprisingly different victor. A star-studded Mumbai City FC returned the ISL League Winners’ Shield to the Mumbai Arena. On the eastern coast, ATK Mohun Bagan finally saw their hefty squad investments pay off as they won the ISL trophy.

The Hero Super Cup, however, had a new champion in Odisha FC who christened their club’s first-ever trophy with a magnificent campaign. One might think what could the champions of the league possibly want given that they already have the Golden Ball winner in their squad as well as the best defensive record in the league?

But it is certain that Des Buckingham’s Mumbai City will definitely want to keep savouring such glory. Also, they will be in the summer transfer market for some replacements and some upgrades. Let us take a detailed look at five players Mumbai City should sign this summer.

5. Akash Mishra

Mandar Rao Dessai only played a part in 10 matches this season and has already won three trophies with the Islanders. The former vice-captain’s contract also expires at the end of this month. It would be wise to let the senior Indian international leave and fill his boots with that of a younger, more tenacious player. Akash Mishra suits this portfolio perfectly.

The 21-year-old Hyderabad FC left-back boasts plenty of experience at such a tender age. Already an Indian senior team international, Mishra is one of the most coveted players in the league. He would be one of the missing pieces to Des Buckingham’s perfect Mumbai City side.

Mishra doesn’t just boast of high attacking intensity and ball-carrying volume as his numbers in defence are absolutely phenomenal. Meaning that he would provide the Islanders the much-needed cover on the transition with his pace on the counter. Last year, Mishra became the first Indian to be featured in EA Sports’ FIFA 22 Team of the Week.

Although he doesn’t have goals or assists this year, he has racked up a whopping 81 tackles, 35 interceptions, 33 blocks, and 53 clearances. Once again he did manage 10 shots on target as he created nine chances and whipped in 32 crosses.

His teammate on the right-hand side Asish Rai already swapped his yellow for the Mariners’ green and maroon and he might follow suit. If Mumbai City can match ATK Mohun Bagan’s wage bill valuation, they might just manage to pull off a sensational transfer. 

4. Brandon Fernandes

Des Buckingham’s Mumbai side played some impressive possession-based attacking football. The fulcrum of that attack was last season’s Hero of the League, Greg Stewart, Argentine goalscoring menace Jorge Diaz and Mizo Flash Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Add to that the likes of Bipin Singh and Vikram Partap Singh alongside understudy Gurkirat and you have an explosive forward line. The permutations and combinations are unimaginably good for any football fan. However, the absence of a good Indian attacking midfielder could be felt every now and then. Especially against sides like Hyderabad that sport a tough-to-beat low block.

While Asif Khan is the youngster to be relied on, the only other option is Alberto Noguera. The Spaniard can only be fielded in contention with the foreigners' rule and that is a limitation in itself. Thus an experienced Indian trequartista who can play anytime needed as well as mentor Asif is the need of the hour. No one else fits the bill like FC Goa captain Brandon Fernandes.

The experienced Indian international has been a reliable mainstay in a disappointing Gaurs side that failed to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season. However, his contributions have been immense as he ranked sixth in the league for most chances created with 41 chances. It was also the highest for his side in the league.

Additionally, he scored and assisted thrice with one peach of a free-kick against East Bengal included. This would signal the fact that not only is he a workhorse of creativity but an adept set-piece threat. The mere sight of him returning to combine with the flamboyant Mumbai City attackers and threading an inch perfect ball to them or finishing brilliantly is a thought to relish.

3. Naorem Mahesh Singh

East Bengal FC’s most consistent player over the last two seasons seems to have hit a hard block even after his side’s massive transfer business. The Kolkata-based supergiants are in a state of turmoil after Stephen Constantine was sacked after just one season at the helm.

Constantine, however, believes he has laid the foundation for his successor at the club. Naorem Mahesh Singh would be more inclined to leave in search of greener pastures and those don’t get greener than the blue-clad Mumbai Football Arena. Moreover, he was the one that scored to impose Mumbai’s second defeat of the season in their closing fixture.

The playmaking attacker has mostly been fielded in a deeper role and seems to have suited himself to playing accordingly. He could be a good partner to Apuia or even his replacement when required. While the youngster is one of the most promising central midfielders of this crop of footballers, he would still need a break every now and then.

Naorem has a strong case with four goals and seven assists in the past two seasons. He is also capable of dispossessing the opponent as he made a joint 152 tackles in the same time frame. Further, 19 interceptions mean he can turn the tide and help his side transition more effortlessly from defence to attack. 

2. Jeakson Singh

Jeakson is one of the more unlikely names to be signed by Buckingham, especially now that Puitea has signed with ATK Mohun Bagan. Vukomanovic is going to want to keep the 21-year-old defensive midfielder at the club. Needless to say, he has been immense at the heart of the midfield.

He has mostly played alongside Kalyuzhnyi while acting as an anchor and providing cover for the back four. It is important to note that he is not as spirited and aggressive as Puitea but still gets the job done efficiently. For Mumbai City, the Moroccan maestro Ahmed Jahouh and Rowlin Borges are fantastic number sixes but their ages don’t help their cases.

If he decides to make the switch, his energy and work rate will be the perfect complement to the mentoring he would get from them. Moreover, Jeakson’s injury record is near-perfect and he is a safe tackler, having earned only three yellows over 20 matches.

The only player to score a goal in India’s U-17 FIFA World Cup appearance has miles to go. If he is to reach his potential, Buckingham’s youth-centric approach would do more than just get him more game time.

1. Abdenasser El Khayati

Chennaiyin FC wouldn’t consider letting their best player leave in their wildest dreams. But the same could have been said for Greg Stewart and yet here we are. Mumbai City do have the financial pull and the lucrative notion of playing for the City group.

As Sergio Lobera was assigned to Sichuan Jiuniu after his venture with the Islanders, it made the players dream regarding the scope of transfers. El Khayati would be no exception, especially seeing how his brand of flashy football suits the club.

Anyone reading this would immediately recall one of his finest strikes this season, as he feinted the ball past Hartley and Rehenesh sitting them both and rolling the ball into an empty net. Even more unbelievable was his goal against NorthEast United FC as he dropped his shoulders (and three defenders!) to rattle the top corner from outside the box.

His composure in front of the goal was also unparalleled if one might remember his one-touch strike against Odisha or the Highlanders. With Jorge Diaz’s contract running out this year and no extension on board as of yet, Mumbai City may consider the Dutchman’s profile.