Can playing Naorem Mahesh Singh in midfield role be Manolo Marquez's special weapon for India?

Naorem Mahesh Singh has been one of the best players for East Bengal in ISL 2024-25.

Manolo Marquez has picked nine midfielders in his 26-man India squad for the upcoming matches against the Maldives and Bangladesh in the March international break. The gaffer is yet to decide upon his perfect lineup for the match, which should be finalized once the players start proving their qualities to the gaffer in training.

However, the selection of Naorem Mahesh Singh has opened up a lot of possibilities for the gaffer. While the East Bengal man likes to play in the wide areas for his matches, he has developed a new layer to his game in the 2024-25 season. Most notably, he managed to excel for the Red & Gold Brigade in a new central midfield role that Oscar Bruzon placed him in.

Marquez must’ve witnessed Mahesh Singh impress in the central midfield role and can actually think of playing him in that position going forward. The 25-year-old brings an efficiency and an unpredictable playing style that the other midfielders can’t exactly bring to the plate. Here we look at why the East Bengal star can be a weapon for India in the midfield role.

3. Ability to play no.10 role

The special thing about Mahesh Singh is that he brings a lot of versatility with his playing style. He can play in either of the two wide areas, but his performances in central areas have been unpredictable. Mahesh has played as a no.10 for India in the past, as he really likes to play behind the striker, which allows him the freedom to pull the strings in the final third. Mahesh is clever with his link-up style and has that creative ability to be able to send his teammates through on goal.

The good thing about Mahesh playing in central areas is that it really helps him take advantage of more goal-scoring chances, strengthening his side’s threat. This can improve India’s output in the final third and help increase the goal-scoring threat.

2. Flexible with defensive and offensive contributions

Whenever Mahesh Singh plays in the midfield area, he ensures that his game isn’t a one-dimensional one. He doesn’t tend to only focus on defensive work, but also focuses on helping his side going forward as much as possible. The 26-year-old definitely boasts impressive defensive qualities, being able to win back the ball in key areas and excel in ground duels against opponents too.

Mahesh is also alert enough to move onto the front foot once he wins back the ball for his side, working hard to get closer to the attacking third. He has that tendency for helping turn defence into attack really quickly and help with the fast breaks, rather than just stick to the central areas. He could help add more penetrativeness to India’s playing style with his proactive nature and improve their tempo during matches too.

1. Boasts goal-scoring threat

The problem with the Indian national team in recent years has been the lack of a variety of goal-scorers. They have been very reliant on some particular individuals (especially Sunil Chhetri) and the midfielders have lacked that goal-scoring bite too. That can perhaps be changed by moving Mahesh Singh to play in a midfield role. Mahesh has scored three goals for India so far in 22 appearances in his international career and has that knack for smelling goals.

He might’ve only scored two goals in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign, but his general movement in the final third helps him get at the end of goal-scoring opportunities more often. He can perhaps add that extra goal threat from a midfield role for India to take opponents by surprise.

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