The 2024-25 summer transfer window for Indian football is in full swing, with Indian Super League (ISL) clubs signing, extending, and offloading players. Last season’s Shield winners, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, have once again made significant investments to bring top talents to their squad.
Jose Molina, the former ISL-winning coach of ATK, has taken over the managerial reins from the veteran Antonio Lopez Habas. Molina has wasted no time in making impactful signings, with the club bringing in Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Jamie Maclaren, and Greg Stewart, while parting ways with Joni Kauko, Hector Yuste, Brendan Hamill, and Hugo Boumous. With forwards Dimitri Petratos and Jason Cummings retained, Molina has an enviable array of attacking options. Here are three ways he might line up his attack for the upcoming season:
1. Maclaren and Cummings Pair with Petratos as the Number 10
Mohun Bagan’s effective 3-4-3 setup under Habas could see a potent attacking partnership between Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings. Both strikers have been prolific in the A-League, known for their clinical finishing and ability to convert chances.
In this formation, Dimitri Petratos would play just behind the strikers in the number 10 role. Petratos has been a crucial player for Mohun Bagan over the last two years, orchestrating attacks and creating opportunities. His ability to link play and provide assists would be instrumental in feeding Maclaren and Cummings, who could thrive on the service provided by Petratos.
2. Maclaren and Petratos Duo with Stewart as the Number 10
Another option for Molina is to push Petratos further up the pitch to partner with Maclaren, with Greg Stewart playing in the hole behind the strikers. Stewart, the 2021-22 ISL Hero of the League for his performances with Jamshedpur FC, has been a standout player in the league.
Stewart’s vision, creativity, and ability to score from distance make him a valuable asset in the number 10 role. His presence would allow Petratos and Maclaren to exploit spaces and create a dynamic, unpredictable attacking trident. This combination would blend speed, skill, and experience, making it a formidable force for any defense to handle.
3. Cummings as Lone Striker with Petratos and Stewart as Floating Number 10s
A more complex yet potentially rewarding setup could see Jason Cummings as the lone striker, with Petratos and Stewart operating behind him as floating number 10s. This system would require significant tactical discipline and understanding among the players but could be highly effective once they gel.
In this fluid front three, Petratos and Stewart would have the freedom to interchange positions, dropping deep to collect the ball or pushing forward to support Cummings. This unpredictability would make it difficult for opponents to mark them effectively. With Maclaren available as a super sub, Mohun Bagan could maintain high attacking intensity throughout the match, keeping defenses on their toes.
Conclusion
Jose Molina faces a luxurious dilemma with the attacking options at his disposal for the 2024-25 season. With four foreign forwards, each capable of making a significant impact, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has the potential to field one of the most formidable attacks in the ISL. Whether Molina opts for the lethal partnership of Maclaren and Cummings, the dynamic duo of Maclaren and Petratos supported by Stewart, or the fluid front three with Cummings leading the line, fans can expect an exciting and high-scoring season ahead.