How can Mohun Bagan SG best utilize Jason Cummings in 2025-26 ISL campaign?

Mohun Bagan SG won their first game against Kerala Blasters FC

Mohun Bagan SG kicked off their 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a pretty compelling 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Early signs have shown how Sergio Lobera aims to make them play, and the kind of players he prefers to be crucial to his system for this relatively shorter ISL campaign.

It’s quite clear that Lobera wants his players to employ a possession-heavy, crisp passing style, which involves almost every player being involved in the build-up play for attacking moves.

With only four foreigners allowed to be used in the starting XI, Lobera also needs to be smart with satisfying the demands of the quality foreign core at his disposal.

If the first match was any proof, then the Spaniard appears to have decided on his favourites for the regular starter role at Mohun Bagan SG. Jamie Maclaren is, predictably, his allotted no.9, and it also looks like Dimitri Petratos will be operating in that no.10 role going forward. That, interestingly, leaves Jason Cummings in a bit of a precarious situation.

Cummings only received a late cameo in the Kerala Blasters clash, replacing Maclaren for the final bits of the game. The Australian forward looks to be predominantly operating in that no.9 role under Lobera, which would pit him against Maclaren.

Lobera, however, realizes the quality he has in the form of Cummings – who has been a devoted player for Mohun Bagan SG over the last few years.

It’ll take some smart management from the Spanish gaffer to ensure the Mariners can get the very best out of Cummings in this 13-match ISL campaign, so that the Australian ace can have a big impact on their charge for the title.

Impact substitute role

Cummings was brought on relatively late against Kerala Blasters because of Lobera hoping that Maclaren could’ve added more goals, but bringing him on for short cameos wouldn’t help anyone.

Even if Jason isn’t starting matches, Mohun Bagan needs to use his quality as an impact substitute by bringing him on earlier during matches.

The Australian forward can be particularly annoying against tired defenders, with his clever off-the-ball movement and ability to sniff out chances inside the box making him a lethal threat.

The 30-year-old had six goal contributions (four goals, two assists) as a substitute in the 2024-25 ISL campaign, helping his side get big wins over NorthEast United FC, Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters with his impact as a substitute.

However, expecting Cummings to score with five minutes on the clock would be unfair. Even if Lobera aspires to use him predominantly as a substitute and alternative for Maclaren, he needs to be proactive with his decision-making.

The Australian forward needs time to adapt to matches and bringing him after the hour-mark could help keep Mohun Bagan’s frontline fresh and proactive, as well as giving Cummings enough time to get amongst the goals to give the edge to the Mariners.

Alternate option for no.10 role?

Even though it appears that Lobera has found his ideal no.10 for Mohun Bagan SG in Petratos, he has the chance of pulling a trump card in the form of playing Cummings in that role as well.

That is because the Australian forward actually earned some experience of playing behind the striker in Jose Molina’s system at Mohun Bagan SG.

Cummings actually produced some solid performances in that role last season, even getting three goals in the ISL playoffs – including in the final playing behind Maclaren.

He boasts a pretty good chemistry with Maclaren, which helps the 30-year-old forward operate in a proactive role in the no.10 position.

Cummings actually seems to thrive in that no.10 role as well, which gives him the utmost freedom to operate in the final third and dictate how his side orchestrates attacking moves.

Moreover, the Australian forward is pretty good with his link-up play and overall passing, which should help him maintain a quick and smoother flow towards helping Mohun Bagan consistently create chances.

Can Jason Cummings thrive in possession-based system?

Jason Cummings hasn’t really played in a possession-heavy system at Mohun Bagan SG since arriving at the club, because of the tactics of former coaches.

However, he’s having to adapt to this kind of style inspired by the former La Masia coach Sergio Lobera, who insists his players boast impressive passing qualities.

Fortunately for him, Cummings is actually well tasked in operating in such intricate systems.

Even though he’s mostly focused on finishing off chances or creating them, the Australian forward is technically gifted enough to thrive in a passing-based system where he’ll be expected to help with the link-up play with a range of passes.

Cummings might’ve had a slow start under Lobera, but he has all the qualities to be a major asset under him.

The Australian forward’s adaptability to different systems have seen him succeed under multiple coaches at Mohun Bagan SG, and that trend should ideally continue under Sergio Lobera as well. It’s now on the Spanish gaffer to give him more competitive playing time to showcase his qualities.

Cummings could be a difference maker if given ample time for the Mariners, with his ability to create chances, move the ball into the danger zones and clinical finishing qualities almost guaranteed to result in many goals for Mohun Bagan SG as long as the Australian ace is used properly.

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