How East Bengal FC should approach the summer transfer window

East Bengal FC are the champions of ISL 2025-26

East Bengal FC lifted their first-ever ISL 2025-26 trophy on 21st May, 2026 under the leadership of head coach Oscar Bruzon after defeating Inter Kashi 2-1, in a thrilling encounter at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata.

With the new season fast approaching, the transfer window is in full swing as clubs look to strengthen their squads. The men’s season will run from 1st June 2026 to 31st May 2027. The new season is set to start on 25th July with the Durand Cup 2026.

And then after the Durand Cup, the time will be locked in for an eight-month-long ISL season followed by the Federation Cup.

There are a lot of changes going on; however, ahead of the new domestic season, Oscar Bruzon parted ways with the Torchbearers, and now the Red and Gold Brigade welcome another Spaniard to take over the reins.

Arguably, the greatest coach in the Indian football fraternity, Antonio Lopez Habas, returns to the city of joy, but this time as the head coach of East Bengal FC to retain top domestic honours for the Red and Gold Brigade.

The ISL champions have already also made some notable additions to their squad with the likes of Danish Farooq and Boris Singh.

In this article we take a look at what East Bengal FC can do in this summer transfer window to defend their ISL title, win more domestic trophies this season and do well in the AFC matches.

A recap of ISL 2025-26 season

After a long wait of nearly two decades, East Bengal FC got the better of Inter Kashi in the final matchweek of the Indian Super League after a dramatic 2-1 comeback win to become the champions of India.

Despite being tied on the same points and head-to-head with Kolkata rivals Mohun Bagan, the Torchbearers had a superior goal difference.

After playing 13 matches in the last season of the league they finished with 26 points, which included 7 wins, 5 draws and lost just one match.

They also scored the highest number of goals (30) in the season with the help of their two-star performers, Youssef Ezzejjari, who won the ‘Golden Boot’ and Miguel Figueira, who won the ‘Golden Ball.’

What should the Torchbearers do in the transfer market

Sign a clinical foreign Striker

East Bengal needs to find a reliable goal scorer who can score 15-20 goals across all competitions in the upcoming season. Their top priority will be to either retain or find a like-for-like replacement for Youssef Ezzejjari, as he was one of the key factors for the Red and Gold Brigade last season in winning the league.

He became the top-scorer of the league with 11 goals against his name and won the ‘Golden Boot’ award as well.

So they need to recruit a proven foreign striker, an elite no.9 who can win proper aerial duels, can finish consistently in big matches and can play aggressive football on counter-attacks, or can press the defenders aggressively when needed.

With a packed schedule on the cards in the upcoming new season, as well as the AFC matches, East Bengal needs to sign more than one foreign striker along with the likes of some lethal Indian forwards.

Solve the creativity issue

After the departure of Miguel Figueira, a void has been created in the creativity part and in the midfield position for the Red and Gold Brigade.

Last season, in the ISL campaign, Miguel won the ‘Golden Ball’ award and played a pivotal role in the title winning campaign of East Bengal. He had scored two goals provided five assists last season and was unstoppable last season.

They still need some more creativity in the midfield who can provide proper goal-scoring opportunities. They need to sign a proper No.10, who is capable of providing 8-10 assists, can control the ball possession and can also be lethal against stronger AFC opponents.

Improve squad depth

If East Bengal want to really dominate in the ISL throughout what should be an eight-month campaign in the 2026-27 season, as well as defend their title and want to do well in the AFC and in other cup competitions this season, then there is need for them to further buff up some important areas of their squad.

Not only do they need to invest in more attacking talents, but they also need to harden the core of some of the key defensive areas in their lineup as well.

Strengthening the bench with strong quality players is very much needed for a side like East Bengal. Considering the injuries, suspensions, packed schedule in the upcoming season, the Red and Gold Brigade should have proper back-up players in every position especially in the back line and in the midfield positions like they had done last year.

For that, retaining the core Indian players from the title winning team last season will be very important for the club management.

They should retain key players like, Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Mohamed Rakip, PV Vishnu, Edmund Lalrindika, Jay Gupta, Bipin Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Jeakson Singh, Nandhakumar Sekar, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, David Lalhlansanga, and recruit some more effective Indian players from the National team to bolster their squad depth and versatility.

Remembering the AFC matches and qualification in mind, they should bolster their defence line with proven foreigners who can be a threat to the much stronger opponents in the Asian competition than in the ISL.

If they can’t retain Kevin Sebille, they should find someone who can provide leadership at the back, improve aerial defending and rotate during congested fixtures in the upcoming season.

They need a strong and experienced foreign central defender alongside Anwar Ali, who can be versatile and effective across all competitions in the new season.

Final thoughts

There is constant pressure to win every game and every competition that East Bengal participates in, as well as excessive expectations and little opportunity for mistakes. So, there will be no one better than Habas to manage this East Bengal side. The Moshal Brigade could not find anyone better to soak that pressure.

Moreover, Habas has previously led Mohun Bagan and knows the pressure of managing in the Kolkata Derby. Habas brings a disciplined approach, and his style aligns directly with key signings like Danish Farooq, Boris Singh, and Sandip Mandi.

If East Bengal are able to fulfil all these roles with quality players, they could have a formidable squad to help them dominate the ISL as they did last season and perform well in AFC matches.

Only time will tell if the Torchbearers are able to fix their financial issues, investor problems and able to create a squad that can really put the fear into their opponents next season.

Some transfer targets the Torchbearers can go for (opinion) 

Ayush Dev Chhetri (FC Goa)

East Bengal could target Ayush Chhetri from FC Goa, who plays as a defensive midfielder. He is a young Indian talent, and have played a crucial part in the FC Goa outfit in ISL. He can be a good recruit as Habas likes to go with strong midfield and backline.

Rahim Ali (Odisha FC)

Rahim Ali can be a good Indian back-up option for the Red and Gold Brigade in the frontline. He now regularly plays for the National team and played well last season for Odisha FC.

He can score goals and has immense experience in the ISL and in the Indian Football circuit.

Effiong Nsungusi (Punjab FC)

East Bengal can target Effiong from Punjab FC, that will definitely solve their goal-scoring issue if they can’t retain Youssef Ezzejjari.

Effiong will be the perfect replacement for Ezzejjari. He had a wonderful season in the 2025-26 ISL, scoring 7 goals for Punjab FC.

He was a regular starter for Punjab FC in ISL, had immense experience in ISL and knows how to score goals in difficult situations. But the foreign signings definitely depends on the nodding of the head coach, Antonio Lopez Habas.

Sandesh Jhingan (FC Goa)

Sandesh Jhingan could be the piece of the puzzle which can solve the defensive problems which East Bengal might have if they can’t retain Kevin Sibille.

It will also be a reunion for both Habas and Jhingan. He also adds the leadership quality to the defense and having a backline of Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Jay Gupta and Jhingan could very well prove decisive. 

Nischal Chandan (Inter Kashi)

As Habas likes to go with a strong and heavy defence line, East Bengal can also target Nischal Chandan from Inter Kashi. Last season he played 9 matches under Habas in Inter Kashi outfit. The 27-year-old Indian defender hailing from Chandigarh can be a good option along with the likes of Anwar Ali.

He is 6 feet 3 inches tall, which is an added advantage in the backline. He had ISL experience, as he have also previously played for Jamshedpur FC.

The foreigners will definitely be selected and signed according to the choice of head coach Antonio Lopez Habas. The Moshal Brigade will definitely sign some new Indian players and retain the core Indian set up.

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