ISL 2024-25: All six foreigners of Mohun Bagan Super Giant
The Mariners will want to vie for all trophies with a strengthened squad.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 League Winners’ Shield and made it to the ISL finals. Under the returning Antonio Lopez Habas, the Mariners charted familiar territory as they narrowly missed out on the domestic double.
The Kolkata-based outfit did not make it out of the group stage in the Kalinga Super Cup this year as archrivals East Bengal won it to script their first silverware in the last 15 years. Mohun Bagan are currently competing in the Durand Cup and will want to repeat their heroics from last year, by retaining the trophy.
Jose Molina has returned to the Mariners’ helm after Habas left for Inter Kashi and has got to work right away. Apart from the existing foreigner contingent, a good four names have been added, two of which shook the very foundation of Indian football.
Mohun Bagan’s all six foreigners
Jason Cummings
The Australian World Cupper (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022) joined the Mariners last year and has already made a name for himself in the iconic Green and Maroon jersey. Jason Cummings scored in every competition he played for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, notching a humongous 19 goals and 4 assists in 37 appearances.
The striker’s predatory instincts became routine as he had a slow start to life but eventually left others far behind. So much so, that his partnership with fellow Australian and former A-League centre-forward, Dimitri Petratos, overshadowed the impact of Albanian Euro hero, Armando Sadiku. Though Sadiku left for FC Goa this season, Mohun Bagan have brought in another lucrative import to fill his shoes.
Dimitri Petratos
Petratos has been with the side for two seasons now. His biggest asset is his versatility as he adapted his gameplay to the two incoming strikers in the next season. The striker is gifted with the ability to dribble his way out of trouble and find teammates with pinpoint passes.
An equally adept player with his back to the goal, Petratos still managed to find the back of the net 15 times last season and registered a whopping 11 assists in just 35 appearances. This season, his skillset will be put to the test and maybe even bettered as he competes with the incoming Greg Stewart, for a starting berth.
Alberto Rodriguez
After Hector Yuste’s departure, the Mariners have got hold of yet another Spanish centre back in Alberto Rodriguez. With playing time in the La Liga 2 and Copa Del Rey, Rodriguez will add experience to the Mohun Bagan backline.
Considering the illustrious names in attack this season, the club was missing foreign expertise in the defensive department. Rodriguez will be the perfect candidate for the same as he is a tough tackling machine. The defender also has a towering stature at 6’3, meaning he will be an indispensable asset for the side during set-pieces, both offensively and defensively.
ALSO READ: ISL 2024-25: All six foreigners of FC Goa
Tom Aldred
Bolton-born Scottish centre-half Tom Aldred will be Alberto Rodriguez’s contender and potential partner at the club this season. Aldred has played for the likes of Brisbane Roar and Blackpool before moving to India.
The Scotsman has managed more than a century of appearances for each of those sides and he will be bringing a wealth of expertise to Mohun Bagan. A tad bit shorter than Rodriguez, Aldred is still 6’2”, referencing his menacing presence in defensive and offensive duels.
Greg Stewart
Arguably the league’s most skillful player for the last three seasons will be donning the Mariners’ jersey this season. Wherever he has gone, Scottish attacker Greg Stewart has dazzled fans with his flashy yet effective dribbling.
Stewart has a beast of a left foot and can do every other thing expected of a complete attacker; be it laser-guided passing, converting bullet free-kicks, or finishing moves. The ISL 2021-22 Hero of the League winner has an insane 20 goals and 20 assists in the league over just 46 appearances and fans will be expecting him to better his tally with the Mariner’s all-star lineup.
Jamie Maclaren
Jason Cummings’ Australian compatriot is none other than the A-League’s all-time topscorer Jamie Maclaren. Arriving in India in a record transfer move, the striker boasts 5 Golden Boot awards whilst in the A-League. Maclaren’s conversion rate can only leave fans drooling at the prospect of combining with Greg Stewart, Petratos and Cummings upfront.
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