East Bengal FC have entered yet another phase of rebuilding as the club reshapes its squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season, signalling a clear intent to reset after a turbulent campaign marked by inconsistency and constant churn.
With a substantial list of arrivals and departures, the Kolkata giants appear determined to strike a better balance between domestic depth, foreign quality, and long-term squad stability.
The most striking feature of East Bengal’s latest transfer window is the scale of turnover. Nearly an entire spine from the previous season has been dismantled, particularly in attack and central defence, areas that failed to deliver sustained results. Big-name foreign forwards such as Hiroshi Ibusuki, Hamid Ahadad and Dimitrios Diamantakos have all moved on, underlining the club’s decision to step away from marquee strikers who struggled to consistently influence matches.
Alongside them, creative midfield options like Madih Talal and Mark Zothanpuia have also exited, while defenders Hector Yuste and Hijazi Maher have been released, closing the chapter on a backline that never quite settled.
In their place, East Bengal have opted for a more pragmatic and versatile recruitment approach. The arrivals suggest a deliberate attempt to rebuild the squad around players who understand the physical and tactical demands of Indian football, supplemented by carefully chosen foreign reinforcements.
Among the domestic signings, Jay Gupta stands out as a significant addition. The young left-back has steadily built a reputation for reliability and positional discipline, and his arrival addresses a long-standing issue on East Bengal’s flanks. Edward Lalrindika, returning to the top flight, offers flexibility across the frontline with his pace and ability to operate both centrally and out wide. Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Bipin Singh further strengthen the wings, bringing experience, work rate and proven ISL pedigree. Together, these signings suggest a shift toward width-based attacking play, something East Bengal have often lacked in recent seasons.
The midfield has also been retooled with intent. Mohammed Rashid brings steel, leadership and international experience, offering a defensive midfield presence capable of shielding the backline and dictating tempo. Miguel Figueira adds technical quality and ball progression, while Martand Raina provides youthful depth in central defence, a position where East Bengal have often relied too heavily on ageing foreigners in the past.
Defensively, Kevin Sibille’s arrival is particularly noteworthy. The Argentine centre-back adds composure and aerial presence, traits East Bengal sorely missed during crucial phases last season. His partnership with emerging Indian defenders could be central to improving a defensive record that frequently undermined otherwise promising performances.
Up front, the spotlight will inevitably fall on Youssef Ezzejjari. Signed to replace the departed foreign strikers, Ezzejjari arrives with the responsibility of leading the line in a high-pressure environment. While he may not carry the same name recognition as some of his predecessors, his profile suggests a forward more aligned with East Bengal’s current needs: mobility, pressing ability, and link-up play rather than a pure target-man role.
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The list of departures, though extensive, reflects a conscious effort to reduce tactical clutter. By moving on players who either did not fit the system or failed to justify their wages, East Bengal have created space for a more cohesive squad. Letting go of experienced names like Diamantakos and Talal was not without risk, but it signals a willingness to prioritise balance over reputation.
From a broader perspective, this transfer window appears less about instant transformation and more about structural correction. East Bengal have repeatedly suffered from short-term fixes in recent years, cycling through players and coaches without establishing a clear identity. This window, however, hints at a more coherent plan: invest in a stronger domestic core, reduce overdependence on foreign attackers, and build a squad capable of evolving over multiple seasons rather than peaking briefly.
The real test, of course, will come on the pitch. Integration remains a challenge when so many new faces arrive simultaneously, and early-season chemistry will be crucial. Much will depend on how quickly the new midfield settles and whether the restructured attack can convert possession into goals more efficiently than last year.
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As East Bengal prepare for another demanding ISL campaign, this overhaul represents both a risk and an opportunity. If the new signings click, the club could finally move away from the cycle of mid-table frustration and begin laying foundations for sustained competitiveness. If not, the Red and Gold Brigade may once again find themselves searching for answers. What is clear, however, is that this window marks a decisive moment one where East Bengal have chosen to reset rather than persist with a formula that had run its course.
