Mumbai City FC have made their intentions clear after acquiring the signature of Greg Stewart, the Hero of the League in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season 2021-22.

The Scottish attacker who can play in a number of positions across the forward line scored ten times and assisted as many for Jamshedpur FC as he helped them win the League Winners’ Shield in his first season in Indian football.

Feature: Precision, skills, consistency, Summing up Greg Stewart’s phenomenal Hero ISL 2021-22 season

The Islanders who failed to qualify for the semi-finals and finished in fifth place will be hoping Stewart makes a similar impact in Mumbai as he did for Owen Coyle’s team as he catalysed the club’s rise from a sixth-place finish in Hero ISL 2020-21 to the top of the charts a year later.

Stewart will join a star-studded team at Mumbai City FC who have also signed Alberto Noguera and Jorge Perreyra Diaz this summer. The Islanders already possess some top quality players in Ahmed Jahouh, Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte in attack.

As Stewart prepares to light up the Hero ISL again, this time in light blue, we take a look at how he could add to an already strong Mumbai City FC squad that delivered a strong performance in the AFC Champions League.

A glue in attack

Stewart from evidence of his play at Jamshedpur FC has a talismanic presence on the pitch that helps elevate the performances of those around him. At Jamshedpur FC, the Scotiish forward held the attack together and linked up well with his teammates. His connection especially with Daniel Chima Chukwu in the second half of the season was a big reason why the club finished top of the table.

His presence on the field also helped the likes oF Ritwik Das who managed to increase their output in front of goal.

Des Buckingham would hope, Stewart galvanises his attack in the same way with the likes of Chhangte, Bipin, Noguera and Pereyra all capable of playing in different positions in attack. Stewart could be the heartbeat of this largely fluid attack that has the potential to bamboozle defences on their day.

Goal threat

Even though Stewart may be classified as a playmaker, he has the ability and desire to go beyond the last line of the defence and score crucial goals. The 32-year-old has a sweet left foot and is deadly in front of goal.

Stewart also has an eye for goal from distance and will always keep the opposition on their toes. Such is his threat that it will force opponents to keep tabs on him allowing the other attackers in the team to flourish.

Scoring ten goals in the league despite not being an out and out striker shows how lethal he can be and Mumbai City FC who struggled for multiple sources of goals in attack last season will welcome Stewart’s arrival.

Set-piece maestro

Mumbai City FC were one of the most deadliest teams when it came to attacking set-pieces last season with Jahouh whipping them in for the likes of Mourtada Fall and Rahul Bheke to get on the end of.

The Islanders will now be able to add Stewart’s left foot to their armoury as teams are certain to have a tough time guessing and them defending those deliveries from either of the two. Stewart’s signing will add unpredictability to Mumbai City FC’s set-pieces making them even more stronger in dead-ball situations.

Also Stewart’s ability to have a shot at goal is renowned from his exploits last season. Remember that goal goal against Kerala Blasters FC last season? It was pure magic from Stewart's boots.

A leader in the dressing room

Having played for the likes of Rangers in his career, the Scotiish forward has the experience of playing at the highest level and also the taste of winning trophies. As was evident in Jamshedpur FC’s run to the League Winners’ Shield last season, Stewart more often than not proved to be the difference.

The 32-year-old will thus be a real leader on the pitch and inspire the ones around him to step up their game. He will add the ruthless winning mentality to Mumbai City FC that they lacked at times last season.

The Islanders fans can be excusied to get carried away after the arrival of Greg Stewart as he has all the skills in his armoury to turn Mumbai City FC into prime contenders for the crown in the upcoming season.