Carles Cuadrat provides update on Jordan Elsey's replacement

Carles Cuadrat is upbeat for achieving the first victory of the ISL campaign.

East Bengal FC will be looking to go out all guns blazing in their opening fixture of the ISL season against Jamshedpur FC at the Salt Lake Stadium. Incomings like Prabhsukhan Gill, Harmanjot Khabra, Nandhakumar Sekar, and Saul Crespo have already made their mark. Others like Siverio, Borja Herrera, and Gursimrat Gill are raring to go soon.

Head coach Carles Cuadrat and captain Harmanjot Khabra sat down with the media to talk specifics in the pre-match press conference. 

On facing Jamshedpur FC at full strength

The Men of Steel did not field their starting eleven in the Durand Cup and hence East Bengal haven’t really had a look at their primary line-up. Asked about whether it was a disadvantage, the tactician replied :

“Well of course we don’t have a lot of information about them because they have not been playing any official match till now. But it’s not an excuse and we have to prepare and play the match. We have to make a plan and try to have a good game to register the first victory of the season. So it’s not a big issue. We have to make a good plan and work to try to beat them.”

On Jordan Elsey and his replacement

Jordan Elsey made a switch to the Indian subcontinent before getting sidelined due to a serious injury. Discussing how he went about helping Elsey morph into his surroundings in the league and about replacing him, Carles Cuadrat mentioned:

“It’s true that he started well for us. I think everybody was very happy with the performance of Jordan (Elsey) during the Durand Cup. But as I told you, this happens in football and we have to take decisions. We are looking for a replacement but it’s not easy because there are special conditions. So we are not going to get a player only because of our existing predicament."

He added, "He has to be a player that will help us to be competitive and will have good performances for us. It is not an easy decision to be taken in a hurry because it’ll be for the entire season. That’s why it’s important to take time and arrive at a consensus. I’m very happy with the club because they’ve been supporting my decisions. We’ve been scouting some options and we’re in the process of getting a replacement for Jordan.”  

Khabra on captaining East Bengal

As one of the oldest and biggest clubs in the country, East Bengal is larger than an emotion for a majority of people in the state. Former Kerala Blasters and now the Torchbearers’ captain, Khabra summarised what it felt like encapsulating so many aspects while taking to the field:

“First of all, I’m very thankful and blessed to be wearing the East Bengal jersey. Thanks to the coach and the management for showing great belief in me. This is the best thing you can expect as a player in Indian football and I’m enjoying every bit of being a part of this project. I’m also trying to be competitive and motivating every person next to me to give their best for the team.

"I feel like we’ve struck a chord with the fans the same way I did in 2016. We achieved something in a positive way after reaching the finals of the Durand Cup. So, we would like to achieve the very best for the East Bengal fans because that’s the least they deserve,” he added.