East Bengal FC: After 22 years of waiting, East Bengal is going to enter the new season as the champion of the top football league of the country. The red and yellow lost only once last season under the coaching of Antonio Habas. East Bengal won the ISL trophy for the first time by beating another main Mohun Bagan Super Giant of Kolkata on goal difference. Challenge to retain the title this time (ISL 2026-27). With that aim, the red-yellow management has worked to strengthen the team before the new season.
Preparing for multiple competitions in the pre-season
Since facing Inter Kashi in the last match of last season, East Bengal have entered the field in several competitions. The team has played in Durand Cup, Kolkata Football League, IFA Shield as well as continental stage. While the Kolkata League mainly gives opportunities to young footballers, several important players of the senior team also get a chance to play enough matches. As a result, Habas got the opportunity to play matches before the ISL and increase the understanding between the teams.
Anwar’s partner in defense Zivulich?
Several key players from last season’s ISL winning team are absent from East Bengal this time. Midfielder Miguel Ferreira, centre-back Kevin Sibile and striker Youssef Ezejarri have left the team. The club has moved quickly to find their replacements. Croatia defender Diego Zivulic is likely to replace Sybil. Anwar Ali can be in charge of handling the defense with him. How effective Zivulic’s pairing with one of the league’s best defenders, Anwar, will be watched in the new season.
Red-yellow has increased the strength at both ends
Counter-attacking is very important in Habas’ strategy. That’s why fullbacks and wingers have to run quickly in attack as well as defend. East Bengal have brought in Sandeep Mandi from Inter Kashi and Hardik Bhatt from Srinidhi Deccan to strengthen these two ends. Joy Gupta is already in the team. All three footballers have the ability to handle the defense as well as attack. As a result, Habas will have multiple options to use both ends to create pressure on the opponent.
Dani Ramirez is responsible for the creativity in midfield
Losing Ferreira, one of the best footballers of the last season, and Ezejarri, the top scorer, is a big blow to East Bengal. However, attacking midfielder Dani Ramirez came to the team as their alternative. He scored five goals and provided three assists in 17 matches for Punjab FC in all competitions last season. He already has two goals and three assists in eight matches in the East Bengal jersey. Dani will be tasked with producing creative football in midfield. Mohammed Rashid, Jackson Singh and new signing Rohit Kumar can help him in defence.
Four foreigners in attack, tough challenge for Indians too
East Bengal have recruited four foreign attacking players to fill the void of Ajejarri. Among them are Effiong Nsungusi, Ake Loba of Ivory Coast, Lukasz Zwolinski of Poland and Chris Economidis of Australia. Nsungusi scored seven goals in 12 matches for Punjab FC last season. On the other hand, Indian attacking players Edmund Lalrindika and David Lalhalansanga are also in contention for a place in the starting XI. Edmund scored a hat-trick against Mohun Bagan in the 2026 Durand Cup final. David scored a hat-trick in the 7-2 win over North East United in the semi-final of the IFA Shield. As a result, Habas has several effective options in attack.
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East Bengal’s probable first XI and full squad
All things considered, Habs have the options needed to play counter-attacking football. The main weapon of the red-yellow can be to attack quickly if the pressure of the opponent is handled. Apart from ISL, the team will also play in AFC Champions League Two. So squad depth will be important to rotate players over the long season. With the experience of playing more matches in the pre-season, East Bengal will look to retain the ISL title this time as well as fight for the league shield.
East Bengal’s probable first XI
- Goalkeeper: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
- Defender: Hardik Bhatt, Anwar Ali, Diego Zivulich, Joy Gupta
- Midfielder: Jackson Singh, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez
- Attack: Edmund Lalrindika, Vishnu PV, Nsungusi Effiong
East Bengal Full Squad
- Goalkeeper: Phurba Lachenpa, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Gaurav Sh.
- Defender: Anwar Ali, Diego Zivulich, Lalchungnunga, Narendra Gahlot, Nacho Monsalve, Martand Raina, Jay Gupta, Sandeep Mandi, Boris Singh, Mohammad Rakip, Hardik Bhatt.
- Midfielder: Mohammed Rashid, Jackson Singh, Rohit Kumar, Ramsanga, Souvik Chakraborty, Vanalalpeka Guite, Danish Farooq, Rainier Fernandez, Dani Ramirez, Asif Khan.
- Forward: Naurem Mahesh Singh, Vishnu PV, Bipin Singh, Rohit Danu, Chris Economidis, Jessin TK, Ake Loba, Nsungusi Effiong, Edmund Lalrindika, Lucas Zvolinski, David Lalonsanga.