Indian Super League clubs that should target Bartholomew Ogbeche

The striker can still be an asset to any team in the league despite his age.

Bartholomew Ogbeche is one of those footballers who thrives under pressure. Just when the critics overlook him and underestimate his capabilities owing to advancing age, he makes a towering comeback to silence them.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League, several clubs may attempt to sign the all-time leading goalscorer in the league. He has 63 goals in 98 appearances and does not look like stopping anytime soon. His experience and goalscoring ability makes him an integral part of any team. Unsurprisingly, Hyderabad FC’s ISL triumph in 2021-22 and playoffs finish in 2022-23 came on the backdrop of fabulous performances by Ogbeche.

As the 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League approaches closer, here are five teams from the league that should target Bartholomew Ogbeche.

RoundGlass Punjab FC

RoundGlass Punjab FC made history by becoming the first-ever club to gain promotion to the Indian Super League. They did it so by winning the 2022-23 season of the I-League. From the 2023-24 season onwards, the Punjab-based outfit will contest in the top tier of the Indian football pyramid. 

They will expectedly need quality players who have prior ISL experience to avoid relegation. In such a scenario, signing Bartholomew Ogbeche is a no-brainer. He can be an exceptional addition to the attacking department of RGPFC which also has Luka Majcen.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC made shockwaves in Indian football after winning the Hero Super Cup earlier in 2023. It was the first-ever silverware for the club since its rebranding from Delhi Dynamos in 2019. Now, the expectations are high from OFC in the upcoming season of the ISL. To that end, the club decided to sign former ISL-winning head coach Sergio Lobera.

Odisha FC has also signed three-time ISL League Winner’s Shield winners Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. Adding Bartholomew Ogbeche will be a massive coup and release some of the pressure to score goals from the shoulders of Diego Mauricio. 

NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United FC had a season to forget in the 2022-23 campaign of the Indian Super League. The Highlanders finished rock-bottom of the league table with only five points from 20 fixtures. The club only scored 20 goals and desperately needed a figure upfront who could lead by example.

Bartholomew Ogbeche announced himself on the Indian stage after his sensational debut season in the ISL for NEUFC back in 2018-19 where he got 12 goals. Returning to NEUFC will be a brilliant move for both the player and the club as it will give him gametime and provide NEUFC with an outlet to score goals. 

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC had a positive 2022-23 season as they made it to three finals. Out of the three, they won one and lost two, securing the Durand Cup but losing out in the ISL final and Super Cup final. Now, the club is looking to revamp the squad and start afresh from the next season. With the departure of Roy Krishna, the club is in search of a striker that can ease the burden on an ageing Sunil Chhetri.

In this scenario, Bartholomew Ogebche may be an easy, direct and cheap solution for Bengaluru FC. By securing his signature, the Blues will have the top two highest goalscorers in the history of the ISL.

Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC is reportedly going to head into the 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League with six new foreigners. The club is completely revamping the foreign contingent, hoping that the overhaul can bring about positive results in the upcoming football season. 

Rahim Ali is an exceptional striker and one of the best Indian forwards out there. However, he needs competition and help. Who better than Bartholomew Ogbeche to perform that role? His arrival can give CFC a player with a winning mentality and also help the young players to pick up a thing or two from the experienced Nigerian striker.