Three positions Mohammedan SC need to strengthen in 2025-26 season

Mehrajuddin Wadoo will be keen to strengthen the team’s tactical prowess in the attacking third.

Mohammedan SC made their Indian Super League debut in the 2024-25 season, concluding their maiden season at the bottom of the league table. Even though the team seemed promising under Andrey Chernyshov’s tactical acumen, which led them to their I-League triumph the previous season, the Black Panthers’ tent was hit by a sense of lacklustre.

Despite their promising midfield with the likes of Alexis Gomez, Mirjalol Kasimov, and Amarjit Singh Kiyam, the team lacked the ability to convert in the attacking third. Their defensive third was thwarted by a sense of disarray post the 80th-minute mark in every game they played. After a streak of consecutive losses, Andrey Chernyshov, the club’s Russian tactician, bid adieu to the club.

Former Indian international Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who was a part of India’s Nehru Cup triumph in 2007, stepped up to take charge of the historic club based in the girth of Kolkata’s maidan. They became the first ISL side ever to conclude a season being winless at their home ground. Apart from this, the team’s financial restraints led to Mohammedan SC, the new entrants of the Indian top flight, evolving only to become a shell of their illustrious past, leaving their fans in complete shatters.

In this article, we shall take a close look at three positions that Mohammedan SC can strengthen to rejuvenate their historic significance on the map of Indian football. From what’s wrong to who can fill that void, we will do a thorough analysis.

3. Centre-back position

In their match against NorthEast United FC in the Round of 16 of the Super Cup 2025, the Highlanders claimed a thumping 6-0 victory over the Black and White Brigade at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Their Indian wingman, Bikash Singh Sagolsem, was made to start as the right centre-back pertaining to the club’s defensive woes. As a result of which, Highlanders’ Golden Ball winner, Alaeddine Ajaraie, netted a hat-trick, with Guillermo Fernandez, Nestor Albiach, and Jithin MS scoring a goal each.

With them ravishing Mohammedan’s defensive third, it has become a serious matter of concern for the Kolkata giants. Given the club’s current financial backdrop, it will be wise for them to scout a promising centre-back from the youth academies of the Indian domestic circuit. Punjab FC Youth Academy can be one such example.

They have a promising U-17 side with an impressive squad depth. In their AIFF U-17 Youth League quarter-final against Bengal Football Academy, the youngsters of the Indian Super League booked their semi-final spot with a 6-2 victory. The possible scouting options include the likes of Pramveer, Aniket Yadav, Karish Soram, and Thoungamba Singh, amongst others.

Mohammedan SC can consider this as a potential move to keep a promising future within their vicinity.

2. Goalkeeper

In their debut ISL season, Mohammedan SC conceded 43 goals in total. Padam Chhetri, the team’s first-choice keeper, has himself conceded 29 of them. However, out of the 19 games he has played this season, the 27-year-old goalkeeper was able to keep a clean sheet in five of them. In their Round of 16 tie against the Highlanders in the Super Cup 2025, Subhajit Bhattacharjee was entrusted with Padam’s duties under the crossbar.

However, things went the other way as Subhajit conceded a six-goal tally in that game. With the team’s persisting defensive woes, it is overscrupulous to have a reserve goalkeeper who can be swapped in for Padam Chhetri during dire situations like this. A potential choice can be FC Goa’s goalkeeper, Hritik Tiwari.

The youngster did put up a promising display of grit under the crossbar in the ISL 2024-25 season, and this gesture of his has caught the eyes of the Indian football fans all across the country. Furthermore, Hyderabad FC’s goalkeeper, Arshdeep SIngh, and Punjab FC’s Ravi Kumar can also be put on the radar by the club’s scouts as a prospective replacement for Padam Chhetri.

1. Centre forward

Even with a hint of Brazilian flair in their forward line, the team’s weakest point has undoubtedly been their ability to convert in the final third. Carlos Franca, Cesar Manzoki, and Marc Andre Schmerbock missed out on the opportunity to fill in the void for a clinical centre forward following David Lalhlansanga’s departure, and that too all in unison. Mohammedan SC only scored 12 goals in their debut ISL season, the record lowest by any club in the history of the tournament.

Mehrajuddin Wadoo will be willing to bring in a centre forward who has the ability to be the potential dummy runner, while Lalremsanga Fanai and Makan Winkle Chothe will be entrusted with the role of forming up the team’s attack from the flanks. Bringing in a promising youngster of Indian origin having a dummy runner playstyle can prove to be clinical for coach Mehraj’s side. Bidyashagar Singh of Inter Kashi and Phrangki Buam of Shillong Lajong FC are the two most deserving players who can be considered for this role.

With six goals and three assists from 22 games this season, Phrangki Buam has been clinical with his on and off-the-ball movements. On the other hand, the former East Bengal forward, Bidyashagar Singh, has been pivotal with his goal-scoring feats throughout.

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