Kolkata: One is a team with heritage and culture while another has the most successful stint in the history of the Indian Super League. And when these two merge together to become one club, it makes a lot of news and controversy. When it was announced that Mohun Bagan and ATK merged themselves to play as one club in the upcoming ISL, social media and the news channels erupted.
It was never easy for a fan-based club like Mohun Bagan with a 131-year heritage to merge up with a six-year-old ATK. The fans never and till the day of this writing have taken the matter in a good way. Shouts of removing ATK has now been a campaign on social media platforms. But there is no way out now.
These two teams who were the Champions of their respective leagues last season will play together as a single club and will represent Kolkata in the ISL along with arch-rivals SC East Bengal. Here we will discuss the coach, players to watch out for and the young prospects of this newly formed side for the upcoming ISL season.
Players to Watch out for
As a team, ATKMB is no doubt a very very threatening side to say at least. They have too many potential players in every area of the pitch.
Arindam Bhattacharya had a prolific last season as he was like a wall under the goal for ATK. He helped his side to win the Championship with many crucial saves in important matches. His performance in the final against Chennaiyin FC is still fresh in the memories of every Indian football fan. In the coming season, Bhattacharya will be a man to watch out for, as he can again change the course of the match with his crucial involvement under the bar.
Sandesh Jhingan has been the sign of the season for ATKMB. The man who is referred to as Indian Sergio Ramos will play a key role in the central defence. He joined ATKMB from Kerala Blasters this season after a long delay to make the deal. Powerful on the air and a hard tackler, he will prove to be an important part of the side. He has the capability of scoring goals from set-pieces.
Edu Garcia has been the third-highest goal scorer for the side last season after Roy Krishna and David Williams. He scored six goals last season and has a telepathic connection with Krishna-Williams. Can play as a central midfielder and also as a withdrawal forward he is like the heart of ATKMB’S forward movements. A high-class player with a potential of goal scoring will a player to watch out for this season.
Brad Inman has been their latest inclusion this season. The Aussie has been playing in the A-League side Brisbane Roar last season and has been rated very highly by the experts. He can be a key member in the side’s AFC Cup campaign too for his experience in Asian football. Can play in the central, right and left area of the midfield, he will be a man to watch out for.
Roy Krishna has been the man of ATK last season. This season with ATKMB it is expected that he will produce similar goods. Scored 15 times last season with a hat-trick against Odisha FC, Krishna will be the most important firepower of this side. A naturally gifted sprinter with an ability to break the defence by his swift move. He will be their talisman for this season.
YOUTH PROSPECTS
The likes of Sumit Rathi, SK Sahil, Subho Ghosh, Avilash Paul, Komal Thatal are the players to watch out for. They will be an important part of the side and can produce the goods when the team requires from them.
COACH
Antonio Lopez Habas has been a central feature as a coach for this ATK side since it’s the inaugural season. He roams like a ‘Lion’ in the sidelines during the match and conducts perfect changes in perfect time. No doubt this year his pressure will be high as he will manage ATK Mohun Bagan and knows what legacy they hold as a side.
The ISL kick starts from 20th November with ATKMB featuring against Kerala Blasters and we hope for a crack of jack of a season in Goa this year.
