Why Subha Ghosh can be a game changer for Kerala Blasters

The 20-year-old is hoping impress the southerners' new head coach Ivan Vukomanovic.

Kerala Blasters are eagerly waiting for the next Indian Super League season, hopeful that their new coach will usher a new dawn in the club's history. Ivan Vukomanovic, the newly appointed Kerala Blasters boss is popular for his work with young prospects, which makes it an important time for the club's young footballers. While there are many talented starlets, Subha Ghosh will specially come under the looking glass in the upcoming season.

The lanky forward, who came under the limelight at Mohun Bagan under Kibu Vicuna, will look to break into the ISL this time. He is someone, who has proven his talent in the I-League, but unusual circumstances prevented him from making his debut for the Blasters last season.

Khel Now analyses why the 20-year-old marksman can be a key player for Kerala Blasters in the upcoming season.

5. Can play as a second striker

Subha Ghosh flourishes when allowed space in the final third. He is opportunistic and likes to get into the half-spaces and rattle defenders with his movements and intelligent positioning.

Kerala Blasters have released their both attacking options, Gary Hooper and Jordan Murray from the last season. They are likely to sign a couple of foreign attackers, which may benefit the young forward in his development.

Ghosh needs to impress Vukomanovic to earn a spot in the Blasters' playing XI. If he manages to find his mojo, the starlet can be a great asset to the southerners.

4. Impact from the bench

The 20-year-old scored three crucial goals for the boyhood club, Mohun Bagan, on course of their I-League title-winning season. All three goals came from the bench with Vicuna using Ghosh primarily as a substitute. He has the ability to sense goalscoring chances and his exceptional positioning and poaching skills often catch defenders by surprise.

Ghosh also has the guile and physicality to challenge defenders. When he comes on as a substitute, he will bring fresh energy and can get better of the tiring defenders. Which means if the youngster does not make it to the starting XI, Vukaomanovic can always use him as a substitute.

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3. Has eye for goals

The youngster is a prolific goalscorer, who has proven his credentials while coming up the ranks at Mohun Bagan. He was the Golden Boot winner of Zee Bangla U-19 Premier League tournament and led the Mariners to the final.

His consistency and goalscoring instincts were rewarded when he was called up to the senior team that season. Thereafter, Subha Ghosh has scored in the Calcutta Football League and the I-League and will look to have a breakout season in the ISL.

Ghosh was awarded limited time by Vicuna in the I-League, yet he scored three goals. It proves his hunger to venture forward, press the opponent defenders and force them to commit mistakes. He is a tireless runner, who has the capability of converting half chances.

It is his tenacity and guile that makes Ghosh a special player. The Blasters will hope that their young sensation flourishes in the top-flight of Indian football.

2. Versatility

Subha Ghosh is someone who is looking for opportunities at the ISL and could play in different positions. Apart from being a withdrawn forward, he has the guile and agility to play in wider roles. He can also be used as an inside forward, where he can give the opposition defenders a run for their money.

The 20-year-old has the tendency to drift wide to stretch the defence and create openings for his teammates. If he plays in a wide position, he will have the opportunity to run at defenders and create goal-scoring chances.

Apart from that, Ghosh is very flexible in multiple formations but till now, has flourished in a withdrawn forward role. It is definitely a very exciting proposition but at the end, it is the coach who will make the decision.

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1. Lack of Indian goalscorers

A major disappointing part for Kerala Blasters in recent years has been their lack of Indian goalscoring threat. CK Vineeth still remains their highest Indian scorer with 11 goals. Mohammed Rafi and Rahul KP are the next two names with six and four goals respectively.

Their highest scorers since inception, is filled with foreign players, proving how dependent the club has been on their foreign contingent to find the back of the nets.

If given the chance, Subha Ghosh can offer the pedigree and talent to become successful at this level. He can be the solution to Blasters' problem as he is a natural goalscorer and offers sharp instincts. While he remains inexperienced, however, that is where Vukomanovic's way of handling him will be integral to the team.

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