Mumbai: Defending Indian Super League champions Mumbai City FC has a squad to be reckoned with. Let’s take a look at the foreign players of the squad and the powers that they add to the team.
1. Cassio Gabriel: The 29 year old Brazilian signed for Mumbai City on a loan from Vila Nice Futbol Clube till 2022. The attacking midfielder had played 27 matches last season having two assists to name. Gabriel had been a very versatile one for the club, playing as a winger, centre forward, on different occasions. His strength lies within his abilities of passing, delivering set pieces and creating opportunities from open play.
2. Igor Angulo: The reigning ISL Golden Boot holder joined Mumbai City FC from FC Goa this season itself. An incredible poacher, the 37-year-old has scored 14 goals in 21 matches for the Gaurs. Growing through the formats of the Spanish national team, playing for AO Platanias and Real Union, Igor is one of the best number 9s in the tournament.
3. Ahmed Jahouh- Another former FC Goa player, Ahmed joined the Islanders last season itself. The defender played 20 matches last season, assisting five times while strongly helping in guarding the post. He made 1490 passes and had a passing accuracy of 75.5%. On average, he made 74.5 passes per game. Regarding his defensive abilities, he has made 173 tackles last season, 33 interceptions, 43 clearances, and 27 blocks. Even being rock-solid in the defence, the most striking aspect of Ahmed is his long-range send ins.
4. Mourtada Fall- Former coach Sergio Lobera’s favourite, Senegalese Fall signed for the Islanders along with Ahmed. The 33-year-old defender has 62 appearances to his name in the ISL, playing 22 matches last season for the Islanders, he delivered 993 passes with a passing accuracy of 84.08%. A hefty custodian, Fall made 50 tackles, 30 interceptions, 133 clearances, and 34 blocks; laudable figures. He had committed 23 fouls last season, a flaw which he needs to improve along with his howlers. However, Fall still stands strong in the heart of the Mumbai City defence.
5. Bradden Inman- Rising through the stages of Scotland, the former Brisbane Roar attacking midfielder, had played for seven matches for ATK Mohun Bagan, followed by six for Odisha FC on loan. In the six matches for Odisha, Bradden had found the net once with two assists to his name. Although playing as a left midfielder all his life, Bradden is most likely to play as a central midfielder enhancing his creative abilities.
6. Ygor Catatau- The 26 year old Brazilian joined the Islanders this season from Madureira RJ. Having plied his trade for Esporte Clube Vitoria and Vasco Da Gama on loan, Ygor scored 3 goals along with an assist. The forward had quite a good ability to create opportunities that can be used for Igor Angulo who is set to make the starting XI along with Fall and Ahmed.
The team seems to have a good array of foreign players that could help the Islanders in safeguarding their reigning title.
