East Bengal Need to make the Most of the Summer Transfer Window

Thrusday, May 24, 2012 Report by Arijit Sil

The 2003 LG ASEAN Cup champions ended another season without the I-League and its the high time that the Red and Gold Brigade officials should add some quality into their promising squad to reclaim their top position in India. Next season is another fresh beginning for the Kolkata clubs to snatch back their lost reputation. Lots of squad up-gradation is going on between the top three Kolkata clubs - Tolgay Ozbey is set to leave East Bengal for Mohun Bagan, Edeh Chidi signs a one year deal with East Bengal and Ranty Martins is already roped in by legend killers, Prayag United.

Before the entire focus gets fix in the summer transfer window, EAST BENGAL the Real POWER takes a look at the needed add ons that the Red and Gold Brigade’s team management must input in their squad to reclaim their top position.

Appoint A Full Time Certified Physiotherapist-trainer

While the small clubs in India are finding it must to appoint a full time certified physiotherapist, East Bengal team management is showing no interest in it. A full time physiotherapist plays a vital role in maintaining the physical condition of the whole squad throughout the marathon leagues of a season. The success of the Red and Gold Brigade in 2003 LG ASEAN Cup championship was also highly triggered by the high intensity training of the full squad under Kevin Jackson, who was appointed by the then contemporary East Bengal coach, Subhash Bhowmik.



Get A Quality Striker in Asian Quota :

The unexpected poor performance of East Bengal under Trevor James Morgan in two back to back AFC Cup tournaments was mainly due to the continuous poor finishing of the attacking threads. Even East Bengal’s top striker in the previous year, Tolgay Ozbey, also failed to make any mark in the AFC Cup 2012. East Bengal have already signed Chidi Edeh from Salgaocar for a one year deal as asked to do by Trevor James Morgan and now a quality Asian quota striker will be the perfect add on to give a promising shape to their attacking line up.

Participating Only In Selected Domestic Leagues To Prepare Well For The AFC Cup And SAFF Club Cup:

Many will give their opinions in support of playing in the Durand Cup, IFA Shield and Jubilee tournaments(organized by other clubs) to add more trophies in their trophy room but few take care of the bigger worldwide scenario. Participating in continuous low and top tier domestic leagues with the full strength senior team takes much energy, motivation and focus out of each and every team members resulting in insufficient preparation for the AFC level tournaments. East Bengal’s performance was below par in the AFC Cup and BTV Cup(Vietnam) not only because of lack of quality in the team, but was also highly due to giving less care and focus in these tournaments. AFC level tournaments are the only one way for the Indian football to step into the next bigger level and thus should be given more care.

Organize A Good Pre-season Training Camp:

Another much needed step to improve the team’s performance is to organize a good pre-season training camp to set up a good understanding and sense of responsibility among the team members.

Get A Set-Piece Specialist:

The past few seasons East Bengal was seen almost wasting their free-kick chances. Dead ball situations are the best time of a match to score. After the exit of Alvito and Edmilson from the first team, East Bengal now really lack a good set-piece specialist who can turn the match in their way from a free kick earned at anytime in a match.