Kolkata : Mohun Bagan SG are set to take on Chennaiyin FC ISL 2026-27 at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. Anirudh Thapa, one of Indian prominent Footballer will take on the field, making headlines after historic goal against Uruguay in FIFA International Friendlies. Thapa will be up against the same club – Chennaiyin – that groomed him as a professional player and he had nothing but acknowledgements for them.
Since 2016-23, Thapa represented Chennaiyin FC in more than 100 games. The club shaped him as a professional player which caught Mohun Bagan’s attention, as a result, they paid 3 Crores transfer fees to Chennaiyin for Thapa for 5 years deal.
Thapa had words of gratitude for Chennaiyin FC who helped him develop. He said, “Chennaiyin was my first professional club that helped me grow as a player and human because that was where I started my career and that’s why Mohun Bagan paid so much transfer fees and I’m here”.
Anirudh Thapa states he gained added confidence after scoring goal against Uruguay. He is only the second player after legendary Manas Bhattacharya to score against Uruguay. Manas scored it in 1982 Nehru Cup and in 2026 Thapa also joined the club.
“Scoring against such a high-quality team definitely gives you extra confidence. When I come back here and remember what I did against such a strong team, my confidence naturally increases”, Thapa said.
Thapa is also optimistic about the strength of Mohun Bagan’s attack. According to him, the team has many footballers who can change the course of the match with their individual skills. However, with healthy competition within the team, it is a difficult task for the coach to choose the first eleven. Thapa believes that if the team can play according to plan, the number of goals will increase and the desired three points will also come.
Both Thapa and head coach Panos have repeatedly stated the importance of scoring more goals as that was a factor that halted Mohun Bagan’s progress in last season where they fell short in Goal Difference to arch rival East Bengal who emerged as champion.
Thapa also stated his pride of wearing Mohun Bagan jersey and giving his best to prove himself as no one can be “average player in this club” that demands a lot along with huge fan following.
“In this club (Mohun Bagan), you can’t be an average player, you have to be the best only then you can perform here because the pressure, how much fans and club demands wearing this jersey and badge. I don’t know any other clubs in India has that apart from a few. Playing for Mohun Bagan is a proud moment for me. The club has rich history and as long as I’m here, I want to prove myself and be the best”.
However, Mohun Bagan will miss services of Miguel, Jamie Maclaren and Apuia as they are not fir to play. Miguel has hamstring, Maclaren is recovering from groin injury and Apuia is down with fever. It leaves a great vacancy in Midfield.
Regardless of the situation, Midfielder Thapa believes Bagan have enough individual quality to come out on top. “The quality we have in this team, we individuals can change the game,” Thapa said on Sunday.
“With so much talent in the squad, it gets tough for the coach to select the players,” he added.
Mohun Bagan after being defeated by North East United FC in the first game came back with 2-1 win against SC Delhi. They’ll now comeback to Kolkata to face Chennaiyin FC in first home game of the season.
