The Indian Super League (ISL) season five is set to kick off within a week’s time with Jamshedpur FC traveling away to Mumbai City on October 2nd for their first game.
We take a look at the squad that has been assembled by the Jamshedpur FC. Jamshedpur FC are coming into the fifth season of the ISL after a decent debut season that saw them finish fifth in the league stage missing out on the playoffs by a whisker.
Jamshedpur FC ISL Season 5 Squad
Goalkeepers: Subrata Pal, Rafique Ali Sardar, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury
Defenders: Sanjay Balmuchu, Raju Gaikwad, Tiri, Pratik Chaudhari, Robin Gurung, Dhanachandra Singh, Yumnam Raju, Karan Amin
Midfielders: Mario Arqués, Pablo Morgado, Vishal Das, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Memo, Mobashir Rahman, Carlos Calvo, Bikash Jairu
Strikers: Tim Cahill, Gourav Mukhi, Sergio Cidoncha, Sumeet Passi, Farukh Choudhary
Jamshedpur FC signed Spanish coach Cesar Ferrando for the upcoming season after Steve Coppell decided to join ATK. The former Atletico Madrid coach has a wealth of experience under his wing in management. Ferrando has coached in Asia before for Malaysian Super League side Johor Darul Ta’zim which could prove to be beneficial for his debut in the Indian Super League.
The biggest addition to the Jamshedpur FC was the signing of Australian legend and World cupper Tim Cahill which could prove to be best marquee signing by any club this season. Cahill is expected to play a huge role but so will Mario Arques who comes from the Villarreal academy.
Among the Indian players, they have opted to sign defenders like Raju Gaikwad, Pratik Chaudhari and Dhanachandra Singh. They have also signed Michael Soosairaj from Chennai City FC who had a good season in the I-League last season and was named the AIFF Best Midfielder of the I-League.
With the likes of pacy wingers like Michael Soosaira, Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Bikash Jairu on the wide flanks, and overseas signings Sergio Cidoncha and Carlos Calvo in support, the wings are strong points for Jamshedpur FC.
The midfield could prove a point of contention with Mario Arques and Memo being the only established names. The lack of an experienced Indian midfielder could hurt them in the long run in the season.
The defence looks a little slim with the departures of Anas Edathodika and Andrey Bikey but their Spaniard import Tiri will hope to lead the side with steel again. Raju Gaikwad and Sanjay Balmuchu have been signed and will have to play out of their skins to make up the absence of the stalwarts from last season. The goalkeeper situation is pretty much stable for them with experienced men Subrata Roy and Subhasish Roy Chowdhury in the squad.
SportzDose Prediction for Jamshedpur FC
Jamshedpur FC have a good bunch of players in their squad and the addition of Tim Cahill certainly gives them a huge boost. They could make a playoffs run but eventually, the lack of defensive credibility, atleast on paper, could prove to be a problem for them in the long-term scheme of things.
