Image courtesy: Bengaluru FC/TwitterThe new-look Hero Indian Super League (ISL) is all set to start rolling from next month, with a longer season and two debut teams. While one of the two is to take the field for the first time ever, the other is quite a renowned name as far as Indian football is concerned.Bengaluru FC might be ISL’s new kid on the block, but are one of the best in the business in general. Flashback to early 2013, and this was a club newly formed by the JSW Group. But, it took them little time to establish themselves as one the powerhouses of the I-League. Twice league and one-time Federation Cup winners, they were also the first Indian club to reach the AFC Cup finals. And let’s not forget, they won their first league title in their debut season.For the Blues, it’s just another debut! So one may think that it is perfectly justified to expect some strong, eye-catching football from the Sunil Chhetri-led side.Well, favourites or not, the Blues certainly have bolstered their squad enough to launch a serious title charge, and establish themselves as the next big thing in the ISL. A quick overview of the ‘debutants’ then, as the league looms around the corner.India have a decent crop of custodians who all vie for a spot as the country’s number one. For, Bengaluru though, number one meant number one. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has been the India’s first-choice ‘keeper for a while now. Having plied his trade in the Eliteserien (Norwegian professional league) and also having tasted Europa League Football, Bengaluru wasted no time in drafting the 6’4 tall shot-stopper. As most would know, it takes some special doing to beat the 25-year-old from Punjab. They have their back-up option sorted too, after acquiring the services of the experienced 31-year-old Abhra Mondal.The backline has been one of Bengaluru FC’s strengths through and through. That’s mostly because its solidity has always been assured by the presence of the robust and resolute John Johnson. The Englishman has been part of the Bengaluru team since the club’s inception, and wouldn’t he want to win another debut title! The Blues also have the services of Collin Abranches and Rahul Shankar Bheke, two defenders who have shown good form in the I-league over the past few years. 22-year-old Subhasish Bose who had a breakthrough season with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan last season, and Zohmingliana Ralte, who played a crucial role in winning the title with Aizawl FC, adds further depth to the squad.The Bengaluru midfield is perhaps one of the strongest in the league. Spanish duo of Dimas Delgado and Eduardo Garcia Martin, with the former having played in the La Liga, are two recruits that are sure to add a lot of flair in the middle of the park. So would the much-travelled Australian Erik Paartalu. If the foreign contingency looks formidable, the Indians marshalling the midfield gives it an even scarier look. Not only do Bengaluru’s roster include the quick-paced Lenny Rodrigues and the strong, experienced Harmanjot Singh Khabra, they also have one of their most prized possession in the form of Udanta Singh. The 21-year-old is capable of taking any defender for a ride with his speed and trickery.The forward line of the Blues possesses immense firepower as well. Venezuelan Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores, better known as Miku, and Spaniard Braulio Nobrega bring in their experience from the La Liga, and while fellow forwards Thongkhosiem Haokip and Alwyn George are expected to be a handful for any defence, the onus will be on their evergreen captain, Sunil Chhetri. Like defender John Johnson and midfielder Udanta Singh, Chhetri has been playing for his side since its debut leading them to innumerable crucial victories, all the while scoring in abundance.Former Barcelona assistant manager Albert Roca would be guiding Bengaluru this season, and the Spaniard has the brains to bring out the right formula for a team, that on paper, looks intimidating.While the circumstances might be different for the Blues, they are no doubt one of the top-notch teams in Indian football over recent times. Backed by the staunch support from the faithful West Block Blues, Bengaluru FC have the fans and the football to take the new ISL season by storm.
