Top five youngsters to watch out for in Calcutta Football League 2024

Calcutta Football League 2024 will witness many youngsters perform for several clubs.

The Calcutta Football League 2024 is the ideal platform for young players to prove their quality before the beginning of the 2024-25 Indian football season. This century-long competition has a lot of history behind it and remains the premier monsoon regional league to take place across India.

The Calcutta Football League has given the push for many iconic Indian football names in the past and the 2024 edition could be the one to help talented youngsters get recognized at the top level. These young players can prove their unique talents and ability to succeed against more experienced, physical teams going forward. Here, we look at the top five youngsters to watch in the 2024 Calcutta Football League edition.

5. Sajal Bag (Mohammedan Sporting)

Mohammedan Sporting are the defending champions of the Calcutta Football League, but they’re also playing their reserves squad in this as they prepare for their Indian Super League (ISL) debut. For the Black Panthers, the CFL poses as the perfect chance to try out their quality young players. For Sajal Bag, the Calcutta Football League poses as the ideal chance to show that he can make a breakthrough into the ISL next season.

The 21-year-old midfielder impressed on loan at Neroca FC last season, making 17 appearances for them. Bag has played in the ISL before for Chennaiyin FC and has admirable qualities, being able to help his side retain control with his clever pressing and being defensively disciplined. Bag already scored two goals for the Black Panthers in their opening few games and his potential evolution in the CFL should be a fascinating watch.

4. Shyamal Besra (East Bengal)

East Bengal are among the frontrunners to win the Calcutta Football League tournament because of the sheer strength of their reserve team. One of the breakthrough young talents coming up through their ranks is midfielder Shyamal Besra, who had an impressive 2023-24 season.

He helped his side get to the finals of the Reliance Football Development League (RFDL) last season, scoring five goals in as many games.

Besra is an exciting midfielder who loves getting the ball forward with his clever link-up style and troubles teams with his movement. Besra also has a great eye for the goal, being able to sneak into prime areas before finishing off moves clinically.

The young midfielder got his CFL season underway with a goal in East Bengal’s win over Tollygunge Agragami in the first match and needs to keep producing such performances to win over Carles Cuadrat’s confidence.

3. Taison Singh (Mohun Bagan)

Taison Singh has been impressing in Mohun Bagan’s youth set-up for a few years now since being signed by the Indian Arrows in 2022. But this year could be the one for the exciting winger to break through the ranks. Taison made his senior debut for the Mariners in the AFC Cup last year, but the Calcutta Football League can give him the platform to prove his quality against senior players.

Taison can be a menacing figure for the defenders because of his impressive pace and ability to burst past defenders in wide areas. He can also finish off chances clinically, diverting his shots powerfully enough to keep goalkeepers gasping.

Singh needs to play a big role and help Mohun Bagan dominate the Calcutta Football League campaign to catch Jose Molina’s attention. If he can continue being a joy to watch with his lively playing style and get a lot of goal contributions, Singh might even be promoted to the senior squad soon.

2. Sayan Banerjee (East Bengal)

Sayan Banerjee was one of East Bengal’s star finds from their reserves side last season and produced some memorable performances for Carles Cuadrat’s side. The 21-year-old even scored a brilliant goal in their final ISL game last season and had the coach glowing over his quality.

Sayan Banerjee has been included in their Calcutta Football League squad to get him up-to-speed with his fitness and match sharpness ahead of the 2024-25 season.

He’ll be one of the star players whom every East Bengal fan will be desperate to check out before the senior team gets back to action. Banerjee showcased himself as a fearless, technically adept winger last season, being able to burst his way past defenders, create chances with his crossing, and be clinical with his shooting too.

Banerjee scored in East Bengal’s first Calcutta Football League 2024 game, a 7-1 win over Tollyunge Agragami, and was even adjourned as the Player of the Match. That is only a sign of the big things to come from the clever winger in the upcoming campaign.

1. Suhail Bhat (Mohun Bagan)

Suhail Bhat was used in a sporadic role by Juan Ferrando last season at Mohun Bagan, getting a few cameos in the ISL and scoring once in the Durand Cup. But Bhat now has a new lease on life at Mohun Bagan because of the arrival of a new head coach. The 19-year-old should feature quite prominently in their CFL squad and needs to make use of his opportunities to catch Molina’s eye.

Suhail can be a proactive and energetic figure in the frontline, making clever runs to drag defenders out of their comfort zone.

He is also a clinical scorer with a great range in finishing off chances in different scenarios. Bhat has to nail his performances and score in the double digits for the Mariners in the CFL to have a proper breakthrough with the senior team anytime soon.

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