ISL 2025-26: Mohun Bagan SG predicted lineup for upcoming season

Mohun Bagan SG is aiming to defend their ISL title under Sergio Lobera

As they look to successfully defend their Indian Super League (ISL) title, Mohun Bagan are also blessed to have one of the strongest squads in the ISL. The Mariners will now be playing under a new guard in the form of Sergio Lobera, who will have several quality options in multiple roles in the squad to help them win maximum matches.

Mohun Bagan have won the ISL League Shield championship in the last two seasons, and that means the pressure is high for them to maintain their dominance. The Mariners haven’t really made a plethora of changes to their squad for the 2025-26 ISL campaign, only signing a few players to improve certain areas of their starting XI and also letting some notable squad players leave the club.

Sergio Lobera has a pleasant headache in finding his best starting lineup for the matches ahead in the ISL, especially considering the number of quality players at his disposal in nearly every single position. The addition of players like Robson Robinho, Mehtab Singh and Abhishek Singh adds more depth in their squad and Lobera will look to use that to keep his players fresh and physically at their best in matches to come.

With that being said, here we look at the Mohun Bagan predicted lineup for the 2025-26 Indian Super League season.

Mohun Bagan SG Predicted XI Formation 4-3-3

Goalkeeper – Vishal Kaith

Vishal Kaith has proven himself to be a highly reliable goalkeeper for Mohun Bagan over the last few years, and he was especially impressive in between the posts in the 2024-25 season. Kaith kept 15 clean sheets in 26 appearances in the previous campaign, setting a new record for most clean sheets kept in a single ISL season as well.

He remains the undisputed no.1 goalkeeper for Mohun Bagan, thanks to his excellent shot-stopping qualities and ability to make crucial ball recoveries as well. He will look to be at his proactive best to churn out clean sheets regularly for the Mariners and guide them to another title.

Right-Back – Abhishek Tekcham

With Asish Rai having suffered a major injury in training, that means a major change is likely for the right-back position at Mohun Bagan. Their summer signing, Abhishek Tekcham, is likely to take up that position, and he has the qualities to excel in that position for the Mariners as well. In fact, despite being a left back, Abhishek can play as a right back too.

The ex-Punjab defender played 14 times as a right back for Punjab FC. Tekcham recorded a solid 78% passing accuracy, as he is comfortable with the build-up play. Defensively, he is equally effective as he won 30 tackles and made 36 interceptions for Punjab FC. He’s particularly impressive with his forward passing ability, being able to send in promising long passes and crosses into the box. Abhishek has to work hard to keep things quiet on that right side and raise his sharpness levels to deal with dangerous wingers as well.

Centre-Back – Tom Aldred

Tom Aldred played a crucial role in ensuring Mohun Bagan’s sturdy defensive record in the 2024-25 ISL campaign, being a really hard-working and smart figure in their backline. He helped them to the majority of their 15 clean sheets last season, neutralizing the threat of dangerous forwards with his smart marking and ability to make crucial clearances.

Aldred remains a key player in the Mariners’ backline because of his leadership skills and overall high IQ levels to anticipate danger quickly. He’s also pretty quick off the ball to keep up with speedy attackers, as well as being impressive with his passing qualities to be able to help the Mariners maintain a mean defensive line.

Centre-Back – Alberto Rodriguez

Alberto Rodriguez was an ideal partner for Tom Aldred in the 2024-25 ISL and their defensive partnership should continue in the upcoming campaign as well. Rodriguez is much more aggressive than Aldred, being fearless in making crunching challenges to dispossess opposition players and also being especially impressive with his aerial duel winning ability.

The Spaniard won 77 duels and made 97 clearances in the 2024-25 ISL season, coming up with vital defensive contributions and also managing to score five goals! His commanding presence raises the reliability of Mohun Bagan’s back line and he should remain a key player in their back-four to help torment opposition strikers once again this season.

Left-Back – Subhasish Bose

The Mohun Bagan captain will be playing under another new head coach at the Kolkata club, and he’ll need to work hard to retain his permanent starter role after the arrival of Abhishek Singh. For the time being, however, Bose remains a peramennt starter in that left-back role after excelling for the Mariners in the last few seasons.

In the 2024-25 ISL campaign, Bose scored six goals and also impressed defensively, winning 9 duels and making 58 clearances in the campaign. His hard-working nature, ability to make clutch challenges and threat from set-pieces makes Bose a unique threat for the Mariners and he should keep starting as their left-back for the majority of the ISL campaign’s matches.

Centre-Midfield – Lalengmawia Ralte

Lalengmawia Ralte had a memorable debut campaign with Mohun Bagan, guiding them to the ISL double in the 2024-25 season. His unique skillset and impressive qualities make him an important member of their midfield line, with the young midfielder having an impressive variety to his passing and ability to withstand high pressing from opposition players.

Ralte was able to help Mohun Bagan win the midfield battle in the majority of the matches in the 2024-25 ISL, and even scored an amazing goal in the semi-final clash against NorthEast United. Now that the Mariners are likely to play a more possession-heavy playing style, a player like Apuia should thrive in being able to constantly move the ball into the danger zones and be the ball progressor for the Mariners.

Centre-Midfield – Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders in the Mohun Bagan squad and his high experience levels should make him a favourite for Sergio Lobera. The 28-year-old had troubles with injuries and fitness issues in the previous campaign, restricting him to only 18 appearances – in which he managed three assists.

With that being said, Thapa should get a prominent role in the 2025-26 ISL campaign because he contains the technical ability and innovativeness to help the Mariners dominate matches. He needs to be sharp with his overall playing style and proactive on the pitch to help outwit opposition players and ensure that the ball progression into the danger zones is smoother, so that Mohun Bagan can create more goal-scoring chances.

Right-Wing – Manvir Singh

Manvir Singh has remained a pretty reliable player for Mohun Bagan in the last few years and played a key role in helping them win multiple ISL titles in recent campaigns. The hard-working winger loves to move up and down the right-wing, having enough speed and physical prowess to torment defenders.

Singh managed nine goal contributions (five goals, four assists) in the 2024-25 ISL campaign and he should be an important member in Lobera’s system. Manvir has to improve his decision-making and add more lethality to his final product, but he should continue being an unpredictable threat in the Mariners right-wing to help them blow away opponents.

Attacking-Midfield – Jason Cummings

Jason Cummings seemingly tweaked his position in the Mohun Bagan lineup in the 2024-25 season after Jose Molina opted to move him to the attacking midfiled or second striker role. The 30-year-old actually seemed to benefit from that as he scored seven goals and produced six assists in the 2024-25 ISL, helping them win the ISL double in style.

He should be able to play in that no.10 role in Lobera’s squad because of the innovativeness and unpredictability in his playing style. Cummings loves moving into the empty pockets off the ball and his final third delivery is pretty impressive too, which should help him set up chances on a regular basis for the Mariners. He will need to be clinical in finishing off chances as he looks to lead Mohun Bagan to even more success in the ISL.

Left-Wing – Liston Colaco

Liston Colaco will be able to reunite with Sergio Lobera at Mohun Bagan this season, having already played under the Spanish gaffer at FC Goa. The 27-year-old had a topsy-turvy 2024-25 campaign in the ISL, only managing three goals and two assists in 27 games for the Mariners – but he could showcase improvement under Lobera’s system.

Liston will be urged to be fearless with his attacking runs, bursting the ball into the empty areas and being smarter with his final third delivery. He needs to be more consistent in getting goal contributions and has to look to be more innovative with his work through the left-wing to help them win matches consistently.

Centre-Forward – Jamie Maclaren

Jamie Maclaren is gearing up for an even more clinical second season with Mohun Bagan after being their top-scorer in the previous campaign. The Australian forward scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 25 appearances in the 2024-25 ISL, being their top-scorer in the competition as well. However, Maclaren knows he can do much better in terms of scoring more goals and he needs to be at his proactive best to do so.

The 32-year-old needs to be smarter in terms of sniffing out chances, being clever with his positioning, and in being able to beat his marker easily. Maclaren will also look to be more ruthless with his finishing to help the Mariners score more goals and excel under Lobera.

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