Three positions Bengaluru FC need to fix ahead of upcoming season

Bengaluru FC ended their ISL 2022-23 campaign as the runners-up.

Bengaluru FC is one of the most successful clubs in the Indian Super League. While they had previously lifted the ISL Trophy in the 2018-19 season, this time they had to satisfy with the silver medal.

The 2022-23 season was a season that the West Block Blues cherished greatly, but their losses to ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC in the finals of the ISL and the Hero Super Cup respectively, disrupted what could have been one of the best seasons in the history of the club.

With their brilliant football and a great sense of commitment to the game and winning it in particular, it is without a doubt that the team from Bangalore will go all-in in the coming season to get their hands on every silverware in the Indian footballing circuit.

Here, we will discuss the need for improvement in three positions for Bengaluru FC to get greater success in the coming years.

Striker  

This might come as a surprise, but we must agree upon the fact that Indian and BFC skipper Sunil Chhetri is heading towards the end of his glorious career. Hence, BFC must prepare themselves to fill the void that his absence might create. Also, even if Chhetri continues for a while in the future, just relying for him for goals will be a mistake.

Sunil Chhetri is currently 38-year-old and although he has shown no signs of slowing down, Bengaluru FC should start planning for the future. To build a long-term project, the club needs to start looking for other Indian strikers who can play in Chhetri's position in the coming years. However, it's not just about finding a replacement, but also about developing a prospect who can learn from Chhetri's experience and mentorship. Keeping a young striker under Chhetri's tutelage can help them learn the nuances of the game and fill his shoes when he eventually retires. This could be a wise move for Bengaluru FC as they plan for the future.

The club is already in talks with the 20-year-old Rohit Danu. Danu played for Hyderabad FC in the previous season and BFC might be looking at him for exactly the need of a young Indian striker for them.

Central Defender

While one of the greatest defenders of the present generation of Indian football Sandesh Jhingan guarded BFC’s defence in the previous season, his move to FC Goa for the following season is set to become a problem for the Blues. With such a great individual leaving the club, the authorities taking calls at BFC must bring in stoppers who can perform with perfection to make up for Jhingan’s absence.

At this point, where rumours about new signings for every club are flooding the Indian football scene, no rumours have been heard of Bengaluru FC signing new defenders. What the club does to fill Sandesh’s shoes will be an interesting this to see. Indian football fans and the West Block Blues will find out only after the Indian transfer market officially opens for signings.

Full-Back

Presently, the BFC side has great squad depth but when it comes to fullbacks, the squad seems to be missing a few heads. As far as specialist fullbacks are concerned, there are only three players in the squad - Naorem Roshan Singh, Parag Satish Shrivas, and Prabir Das. While players like Lalremtluanga F and Robin Yadav can also fit in these positions if necessary, these are not their natural positions.

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Hence, for a high-performing team like BFC, it will be crucial that they can improve the fullback position. According to reports by Khel Now, BFC have already signed Jessel Carneiro. This goes on to show that the club has realised the need of more fullbacks in the side and is already trying to strengthen the section.