Three reasons why Jesin TK can be special weapon in breakthrough season under Antonio Habas at East Bengal

He featured on multiple occasions for the Red & Gold

East Bengal thrilled their supporters with an inspired 4-1 win over Al-Arabi SC to be able to qualify for the group stages of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League, earning a place in the second-best continental competition in Asian football. There were quite a few notable positives from that game for the Red & Gold Brigade, but one positive that probably went under-the-radar was the promising application of Jesin TK’s ability in their frontline.

Jesin might not have scored or assisted for East Bengal in the game, but he was a consistent threat for the Kuwaiti side all through his performance. The 26-year-old was tactful in slipping past defenders to get the ball into the danger zones in the final third, as well as looking to help his teammates soar.

He might not have scored or assisted in the game, but the Indian forward was a tenacious figure whose hard-working nature indicates why he’s warmed up to Antonio Habas since he took over the Kolkata giants.

While there are quite a few options for the striker role for him at East Bengal, Habas appears to have taken a special liking for the 26-year-old because he feels that the forward’s qualities are a good match for his playing style. Now, we look at the three reasons why Jesin TK has the possibility of being Habas’ special weapon in the 2026-27 season for East Bengal.

3. Impact from the bench

Even though he did start as East Bengal’s no.9 in the Al-Arabi SC clash, the reality is that Jesin TK won’t be a regular starter for the Torchbearers once their Nigerian forward Effiong Nsungusi joins the squad. The ex-Punjab FC man has been signed to lead the frontline for the Red & Gold Brigade, and that probably means that Jesin will be used as his alternative option instead.

However, knowing the kind of positive energy that the 26-year-old Indian forward brings when stepping onto the pitch for East Bengal – he can actually be a menacing threat for them in that role in the 2026-27 season.

Jesin’s ability to get into the free space in & around the opposition penalty area can be even more devastating when he’s getting to play against relatively tired defenders.

He can use the exhaustion of defenders to his advantage, slipping past them with more ease and trying to get to the end of more chances to score late goals for East Bengal and bolster their chances of winning more matches.

2. Selflessness in the final third

The reason why Antonio Habas can trust upon Jesin to be an asset in his frontline is because the Indian forward isn’t some extremely selfish striker who only looks into his own interest rather than those of his teammates. In the Al-Arabi SC clash itself, the 26-year-old was able to get in behind their centre-backs multiple times and rather than try to shoot for glory – he tried passing the ball to his teammates.

He even set up a brilliant chance for Bipin Singh in the second half, which the winger surprisingly missed to rob his teammate of a well-deserved assist.

The fact that Jesin is not only able to get the ball into the box with his clever ball-carrying ability as well as off-the-ball movement, but also create chances for his teammates rather than going for personal gain is a big asset.

Habas definitely likes team players like Jesin TK and as long as the Indian forward can maintain this positive devotion in sticking to the plan set for him by the coach and looking to feed his teammates in key goal-scoring areas, he should remain a key member in the Spanish coach’s squad.

1. Element of surprise inside penalty area

It’s not like Jesin TK is totally a finished product when it comes to his work in the final third, but he does have the qualities that can allow him to keep defenders guessing. The East Bengal forward possesses a pretty good understanding of the movement of his teammates’ passing, meaning he can predict when to make clever off-the-ball runs past defenders to be able to get the ball in a promising area inside the opposition final third.

He definitely possesses a surprise factor inside the opponents’ penalty box, being able to get at the end of crosses pretty well.

He did score one goal for the Red & Gold Brigade at the 2026 Durand Cup group stages because of his presence of mind and ability to get at the end of delivery in the penalty.

While Habas has to keep working with the forward to improve some of his decision-making and also add more efficiency to his finishing, Jesin’s unpredictability inside the opposition’s penalty area can help him change quite a few matches for East Bengal in the 2026-27 season.

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