Football
ESPN staff 2y

Transfer wrap: A handy guide and report card of ISL's transfer window

It's the transfer season! With Indian Super League clubs looking to strengthen, or even completely revamp their squads, the Indian football transfer window promises to be an action-packed one. We bring you all the official transfers of each club and our assessment of them.

Please note we are only mentioning names made official by the respective clubs, and our assessments are based on only that.

Kerala Blasters FC

IN: Bryce Miranda, Apostolus Giannou, Saurav Mandal, Victor Mongil, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi

OUT: Alvaro Vazquez, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Vincy Baretto, Enes Sipovic, Chencho Gyltshen, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Seityasen Singh, Albino Gomes, 

ESPN assessment (so far): 5/10

Miranda is a good rotation option in midfield, but Vazquez and Diaz leave gaping holes up top. Australian Giannou will attempt to become one of the cogs of Ivan Vukomanovic's high-pressing, freely-interchanging front four while the experienced Victor Mongil is a superb replacement for Sipovic. Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Kalyuzhnyi is the right profile for what the Blasters need in the centre of the park, but concerns still remain about the forward line.

Bengaluru FC

IN: Simon Grayson (COACH), Roy Krishna, Prabir Das, Javi Hernandez, Hira Mondal, Faisal Ali, Amrit Gope, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Sandesh Jhingan

OUT: Ashique Kuruniyan, Cleiton Silva, Sarthak Golui, Imam Basafa, Pratik Chaudhari, Sarthak Golui, Yrondu Musavu-King, Muhanned Inayath, Ajith Kumar

ESPN assessment (so far): 8.5/10

A squad refresh has been pending for a while now, and how new coach Grayson has gone about it makes for interesting watching.

Cleiton Silva's departure meant the Blues had to look for a new goal-getter and who better than the man himself, Roy Krishna? The Fijian striker, who has 36 goals and 18 assists in 60 games, joins the club on a two-year deal and will form a lethal attacking combination with skipper Sunil Chhetri. Chhetri seems to have returned to his best with India, and now will also have Javi Hernandez behind him to share the creative (and scoring) burden.

Prabir's signing could prove a shrewd one, considering that he would have a point or two to prove and that Roshan Singh (the team's starting RB) would be equally comfortable on the left.  Hira Mondal is an excellent addition to what is shaping up to be a very decent collection of fullbacks, while Faisal Ali could be an X-factor (however minor) on the wings. Jhingan's return also adds stability to the backline, although he may not immediately be first choice with Alan Costa and new Australian signing Jovanovic operating in central defence.

ATK Mohun Bagan

IN: Ashique Kuruniyan, Asish Rai, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Florentin Pogba, Vishal Kaith, Brendan Hamill, Dimitrios Petratos

OUT: Prabir Das, Michael Soosairaj, Bidyananda Singh, Roy Krishna, David Williams, Sandesh Jhingan, SK Sahil

ESPN assessment (so far): 7/10

Prabir Das (who never appeared to find favour with Juan Ferrando) has been replaced with arguably a better fullback in Asish Rai. Replacing David Williams and Roy Krishna - the goalscoring heart of Antonio Habas' champion side - will be a far tougher proposition. The signing of Dimitrios Petratos, who was part of Australia's squad in the 2018 World Cup ought to help in that regard, however

As for Kuruniyan, the hope is that he doesn't get shoehorned into the left-back role he played for years at Bengaluru FC and rather gets a run in the forward positions.

The club also confirmed the signing of centre-back Florentin Pogba from Ligue 2 side FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. Florentin is the elder brother of former Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba and he will be tasked to sort out the defence alongside Australian CB Brendan Hamill, with Sandesh Jhingan having left the club.

Chennaiyin FC

IN: Thomas Brdaric (COACH), Mohammed Rafique, Gurmukh Singh, Sourav Das, Jiteshwor Singh, Monotosh Chakladar, Vincy Baretto, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Peter Sliskovic, Kwame Karikari, Fallou Diagne, Julius Duker, Aakash Sangwan, Ajith Kumar

OUT: Germanpreet Singh, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Deepak Devrani, Davinder Singh, Ariel Borysiuk, Vladimir Koman, Vishal Kaith, Nerijus Valskis, Lukasz Gikiewicz, Slavko Damjanovic, Melroy Assisi

ESPN assessment (so far): 6/10

It was probably time for a reset, and the majority of signings are young and have shown good potential - but they were also made before the signing of a new coach. Which is always a cause for worry. Another problem area is attack, which has struggled to fire since that mini-surge under Owen Coyle: Brdaric will be hoping Sliskovic, Duker or Karikari is the solution, after Valskis' departure. Another point to note is Anirudh Thapa continuing with the club, which may be pivotal given the squad upheaval.

Odisha FC

IN: Josep Gambau (COACH), Diego Mauricio, Saul Crespo, Victor Rodriguez, Pedro Martin,  Denechandra Meitei, Carlos Delgado, Osama Malik, Narendar Gahlot, Michael Soosairaj, Nikhil Prabhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte

OUT: Javi Hernandez, Vinit Rai, Victor Mongil, Aridai Cabrera, Arshdeep Singh, Hector Rodas, Daniel Lahlimpuia, Gaurav Bora, Kamalpreet Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Jonathas, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Baoringdao Bodo

ESPN assessment (so far): 7/10

Defensive reinforcements in the form of Narender, Delgado and Malik were a must for Odisha (they conceded the joint-highest goals last season - 43 goals in 20 games), but replacing the creative genius of Javi Hernandez will be harder. Soosairaj's signing ought to be a win-win, with the winger also looking to reviltalise a promising career that stalled at ATK (and then ATKMB). Their biggest signing of the season, though, was the one they announced first - the return of coach Josep Gambau. 

Interesting Spanish additions in Crespo, Rodriguez and Martin will spruce up attack, as will the time-tested returning Diego Mauricio. 

East Bengal

IN: Stephen Constantine (COACH), Alex Lima, Cleiton Silva, Charalampos Kyriakou, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Suhair VP, Kamaljit Singh, Aniket Jadhav, Souvik Chakrabarti, Eliandro, Sarthak Golui, Mobashir Rahman, Mohammed Rakip, Ivan Gonzalez, Sumeet Passi, Pawan Kumar, Pritam Singh, 

OUT: Franco Prjce, Fran Sota, Hira Mondal, Sourav Das, Mohammed Rafique, Sankar Roy, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Antonio Perosevic

ESPN assessment (so far): 7/10

East Bengal have found their sponsor in Emami; a new coach as Stephen Constantine returned to Indian shores, and the signings flowed. The club have signed a veritable new first XI, with Cleiton Silva, Eliandro, Aniket Jadhav and Suhair VP forming the base of a threatening frontline (with Constantine favourite, Sumeet Passi, providing backup of course).

Ivan Gonzalez, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Souvik Chakrabarti and Charalampos Kyriakou ought to infuse new energy into the defensive side of things, while Alex Lima will provide plenty of creativity in midfield. We can definitely expect better things from East Bengal than their bottom-rung finishes in the last two seasons. Plenty of positives for the Kolkata giants.

FC Goa

IN: Carlos Pena (COACH), Alvaro Vazquez, Iker Guarrotxena, Fares Arnaout, Marc Valiente, Arshdeep Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Noah Sadaoui

OUT: Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Ivan Gonzalez, Christy Davis, Alberto Noguera, Dylan Fox, Airam Cabrera

ESPN assessment (so far): 6/10

Carlos Pena's appointment is a risky one, considering the former Goa player's inexperience, but does give the club a chance for a fresh start after the chaos and disappointment of last season. Alvaro Vazquez's transfer from Kerala Blasters has now been confirmed and it seems to be a good signing. Last season, the striker had scored eight goals from 23 matches helping Kerala Blasters to reach their first final since 2016. Vazquez will have another Spaniard, Guarrotxena up front in support of him, with Moroccan winger Sadaoui providing creativity as well.

Arnaout and Valiente add solidity to a defence that will desperately miss Ivan Gonzalez. The impressive Arshdeep Singh will keep Dheeraj Singh on his toes for the #1 spot. 

Jamshedpur FC

IN: Aidy Boothroyd (COACH), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Wellington Priori, Rakshit Dagar, Pratik Chaudhari, Germanpreet Singh, Harry Sawyer, Muhammed Uvais, SK Sahil

OUT: Greg Stewart, Mobashir Rahman, Narender Gahlot, Jordan Murray, Alex Lima, Pawan Kumar, Niraj Kumar

ESPN assessment (so far): 5/10

Jamshedpur appointed Boothroyd as head coach but have given him a tall task, as Greg Stewart and Alex Lima's departures have left a void of creativity in the side. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, once of Arsenal, and Harry Sawyer ought to provide options up front, while Wellington's arrival from the Thai League ought to help in midfield.

The club have retained a few of their shield winning side, so perhaps its understandable that they're not perhaps as active in the market as other clubs.

Hyderabad FC

IN: - Alex Saji, Manoj Mohammad, Borja Herrera, Ramhlunchhunga, Odei Onaindia

OUT: Asish Rai, Aniket Jadhav, Souvik Chakrabarti, Pritam Singh, Amritpal Singh, Nikhil Prabhu

ESPN assessment (so far): 3/10

Losing Rai is a huge blow for Hyderabad. Their fullback-heavy game was heavily dependent on the skill and lungs of Akash Mishra on the left and Rai on the right. Borja Herrera comes in as a left-back, which perhaps means Mishra's departure abroad is likely.

Manolo Marquez' ability to pluck a diamond from the rough is unrivalled though, so do not count him out. They signed versatile defender Alex Saji on a long-term contract from Gokulam Kerala. Odei Onaindia's arrival from Spain ought to provide experience at the back.

Mumbai City FC

IN: Lalrianzuala Chhangte, Vinit Rai, Rostyn Griffiths, Sanjeev Stalin, Alberto Noguera, Greg Stewart, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bhaskar Roy

OUT: Mohammed Rakip, Diego Mauricio, Brad Inman, Igor Angulo

ESPN assessment (so far): 9/10

Rai and Chhangte were loaned in for the latter half of last season, and they will continue at the club this season. The team has announced the signing of central defender Rostyn Griffiths from Melbourne City. They also signed midfielder Alberto Noguera from FC Goa and defender Sanjeev Stalin from Kerala Blasters. Noguera's signing will certainly boost the team's creativity quotient.

Greg Stewart's announcement ups the attacking quotient of the side manifold. Last year's MVP is a goal-scoring, goal-creating machine and elevates Mumbai City from top 4 contenders to title favourites. Pereyra Diaz' signing is a huge coup as well, as Mumbai flex their financial muscle in the market.

NorthEast United FC

IN: -

OUT: Zakaria Diallo, Deshorn Brown, Marco Sahanek, Suhair VP, William Lalnunfela, Lalkhawpuimawia

ESPN assessment (so far): 0/10

Mum's the word from a club that's looking at their umpteenth rebuild, losing three foreigners and Suhair VP who was their lone bright spot last season. Former coach Khalid Jamil, meanwhile, has taken charge of I-League 2 side FC Bengaluru United.

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