We are going to be competitive, says Carles Cuadrat on ISL 2024-25 Media Day

The Torchbearers look to have their best ISL season so far.

East Bengal FC are heading into the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with utmost high hopes. Having never qualified for the ISL playoffs, head coach Carles Cuadrat not only aspires to break that jinx but also guide the Red and Gold Brigade to potentially go all the way into winning the title this season with a considerably strengthened squad. Here are the excerpts from the Spanish tactician’s interaction with the media alongside Cleiton Silva and newcomer Hector Yuste.

On the club making no deadline day signings and the final squad

Carles Cuadrat was asked if he was satisfied with his squad after failing to make any late signings, and he replied: “All over the world in football, there are situations in the market and sometimes you can make signings in the final days but sometimes you can’t. We have a full squad, a competitive team and there is no problem in the depth of the squad. We must find solutions within our squad to be ready for the competition.”

On early season schedule

Cuadrat was a bit perturbed about East Bengal’s early-season schedule, saying: “It’s a completely different season with different players. We’ve been working on the squad, so I don’t want to compare it with last season as other teams are in different situations. It’s about this season, to start in the best way possible.

“It’s strange that we have some games away and only one home game in the first four matches. But it makes no sense to talk about the Indian calendar as we know it’s the same every season and it’s difficult to find the right calendar for all teams. We know we have to play home and away all through the season and be competitive from day one.”

On the team’s consistency

The tactician is also happy to retain his core from last season and the consistency that East Bengal have had as compared to recent years, as he explained: “We are in a moment that is a good moment for the club. If you think this will be our fifth season of the ISL and this is the first time in five years that the coach is the same as the last season. We have stability in our club. We also have players who have kept with us from last season like Souvik, Cleiton, Hijazi, Saul, and some in the national team.

“We have to be ready for the tough competition as every team has reinforced. I’m positive about the team as it’s been a long time since we had a coach who has coached for 35 games, but that hasn’t happened in more than 10 years. We’re working in the right direction and it’s a moment for us to show our power in a new competition. We are going to be ready to be competitive.”

On integrating younger players with the squad

When asked about how he aspires to use younger players in the squad after giving a lot of opportunities to young guns last season, Cuadrat explained: “The easy thing is to give younger players more minutes. But it’s more important to build a career for the players. That is what we’re trying. We want to give opportunities when players are already ready for the step up and maintain consistency for the career of the players.

“I’m happy with how East Bengal are progressing with the academy and are improving with youth structure. But there is a big step up from the younger leagues and the ISL. So we have to find the right moment to give them opportunities. In Bengaluru FC I gave chances to Suresh and Roshan and now they play in the national team. In East Bengal, we must give attention to the youngsters, but choose the right opportunities for when they play constantly. Last season, Sayan, Aman, Vishnu – they got goals and assists, but these players must work hard to get regular playing minutes.”

On the importance of dynamics in the team

Cuadrat also emphasized the importance of ‘dynamics’ in how his side plays, saying: “In the season, it’s clear that the dynamics you get that gives you extra points or puts you in a worse place. Last season, we put in two bad dynamics that troubled us.

“The first one was Jordan Elsey’s injury which forced us to build a new defensive line. And then the injuries of Saul and Pardo after the Super Cup. We have to be ready for injuries and try to minimize the effects of players’ injuries.

“We must take care of foreign players as they are important. We have to try and avoid the bad dynamics and get the positive ones that give us a good way to win the competition. If you remember last season, Kerala started the season with a good dynamic and got a lot of points, but the second half was not that good but they still got into the playoffs. When you get in a good dynamic, you feel physicality and mentally strong and that’s what all the teams need to get points – a good dynamic.”

On whether this is the club’s best chance yet to win the ISL

When asked if this is the best chance for East Bengal to win the ISL championship, Cuadrat replied: “East Bengal have won one trophy in the last 12 years so we must be realistic. We have a lot of new players and have to work our best to be competitive. In the playoffs, you get four games to win the trophy so anything can happen.

“We saw a few years ago that any team can beat any team. In the Durand Cup final, Mohun Bagan were favourites but NorthEast got the win. When you reach the playoffs, anything can happen so it’ll be a priority for us to reach the playoffs and then look into winning the trophy after that,” he finished with.

Hector Yuste on joining his former club’s direct rivals and teammate Anwar Ali

East Bengal’s new defender Hector Yuste was in the interaction and opened up about joining the side despite being a Mohun Bagan player. He stated: “I’m a professional footballer so I had to choose my team after my contract expired. East Bengal called me and offered me a very nice project. I‘m very happy here this club, is huge and there are many people following us. I’m back also because this country and city are amazing. Me and my wife enjoyed a lot last season and we love to stay in this city.”

Yuste also voiced his surprise at seeing Anwar Ali join his side, saying: “When I was in Spain and saw about that, I was shocked. My personal opinion is that Anwar Ali is the best defender in this league. We are lucky to have him with us. I’m glad to play close to him, he’s a top player!”

Cleiton Silva on staying at the club

East Bengal skipper Cleiton Silva spoke about his decision to stay at East Bengal for the third straight season, saying: “It’s not easy to be a legend for this club as it already has so many legends. We’ve had so many playing here for so long. I’m happy to spend my third season with East Bengal. When you play more for the club, the relationship is improved.

I’m very happy to be here, I want to leave the club as a legend and want to ensure that people remember me in the future. It’s not easy, players want to win trophies and put the club at a higher level. That’s my aim for East Bengal, everyone knows the history of the club – we have played in AFC and international matches. I want to do my best for the club again. I want to enjoy this season and put East Bengal in the top six for this season.”

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