ISL 2022-23: Mumbai City FC ISL 2022-23 LIVE- Mumbai City FC will look to move on from their Durand Cup final loss to Bengaluru FC and reclaim their place in the ninth edition of the Indian Super League under Des Buckingham. The ISL 2022-23 season will begin on October 7th, with the Islanders vying for a playoff spot. Follow Indian Super League and ISL 2022-23 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
Mumbai City FC finished fifth in the ISL table last season, just missing out on a playoff spot to Kerala Blasters FC. Despite appearing to be a pale imitation of Sergio Lobera’s Mumbai City FC, the Islanders managed 31 points from nine wins and four draws in 20 games.
Although the management retained faith in head coach Des Buckingham, who led them to an AFC Champions League victory, the team underwent a complete re-evaluation, letting go of the majority of their foreigners. Des Buckingham, on the other hand, justified his extension by leading the team to the Durand Cup finals, where they were narrowly defeated by Bengaluru FC.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
To regain their former status, Mumbai City FC had the most extensive summer transfer window. The Islanders surprised Indian football fans when they signed Jorge Pereyra Diaz, who was set to join Kerala Blasters. It wasn’t long before they brought in Jamshedpur FC’s ISL 2021-22 Golden Ball winner Greg Stewart. They also enlisted the help of Rostyn Griffiths. Mourtada Fall, on the other hand, is expected to continue.
While Mumbai City FC has the best foreign contingent in the league, their Indian contingent is equally impressive. From SAFF U20 best player Gurkirat Singh to Chhangte, they also have National Team mainstays Vikram Pratap Singh and Rahul Bheke, as well as Vinit Rai from Odisha FC.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
Greg Stewart
Greg Stewart was signed by Mumbai City FC earlier in the summer transfer window after tearing down the Indian Super League in his first year. Stewart ended up leading the assists statistics last season with 10 assists while playing for Jamshedpur FC, scoring 10 goals out of the Men of Steel’s 43 goals.
As a result the 32-year-old, Scottish attacker was named ‘Hero of the League.’ Stewart won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers FC in the 2020-21 season, prior to his move to India.His ability to carry the ball upfield will make him an important part of Des Buckingham’s team.
𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹
Greg’s outstanding performance in the #DurandCup2022 helps him add the Golden Ball award to his personal trophy cabinet 💫💙#GregAalaRe #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/ivWrWfp4Ni
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) September 19, 2022
Greg Stewart demonstrated why Mumbai City FC exerted so much effort to bring him on board this season. Des Buckingham used him as their most attacking player, almost as a false 9 position. The astute midfielder handled the transition impressively, even appearing intimidating at times.
For the Islanders, he managed to score six goals in six games along with two assists. This included a hat-trick in a 5-3 quarter-final win over Chennaiyin FC, making him the only player in the tournament to score three goals in a single game. He also received the Golden Ball award.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
Lallianzuala Chhangte
The 2022 Durand Cup Golden Boot winner had a tournament to remember. Chhangte was given more freedom and licence to roam in Buckingham’s new system, which did not include a natural striker. He capitalised on every opportunity, scoring seven goals in the tournament. He finished beautifully from inside the box and looked more clinical than ever for the Islanders.
Chhangte wriggled into promising areas with his deft movement and natural close control. He has developed a ruthlessness that has allowed him to outperform everyone else in the Durand Cup. Despite not being on the winning team in the final, Chhangte’s heroics suggest that he could be in line for a special season in the ISL.
Vikram Pratap Singh
Singh began his junior career at the Chandigarh Football Academy and advanced to the senior squad in 2018. He later joined Indian Arrows and played in the I-League until 2020, scoring 5 goals in 27 matches.
Mumbai City announced Singh’s signing in October 2020, ahead of the upcoming 2020-21 Indian Super League season. He signed a contract with the Islanders that will keep him there until 2023, with an option to extend for another year. He scored a brace in a 5-1 win over ATK Mohun Bagan on December 1, 2021. He was later named to the club’s AFC Champions League squad for 2022. Vikram scored two goals in four appearances in the recently concluded Durand Cup.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
Vinit Rai
Rai was loaned out by Odisha to defending Indian Super League champions Mumbai City in 2022. He was later named to the club’s 2022 AFC Champions League squad before being signed permanently. The defender played 17 games last season maintaining a passing accuracy of 85.8%. He also provided 43 important tackles in averting away the danger for Mumbai while black 17 shots.
During Durand Cup, Vinit was a commendable player who bossed the midfield. His experience and Stoic expertise would make him a mainstay for Des Buckingham’s Islanders.
Jorge Pereyra Diaz
In an unexpected turn of events, Mumbai has secured the services of the former Kerala Blasters FC player ahead of the upcoming season. Diaz scored eight goals and had one assist in 21 appearances for the Blasters, lining up alongside Alvaro Vazquez.
The Argentine international is not a pure striker, but he provides much more in terms of build-up play in the final third. Diaz’s quick feet and off-the-ball movement can unlock defenses with Greg Stewart on his side. Diaz appeared 21 times for Ivan Vukomanovic’s team, scoring eight goals. The striker’s contribution is slightly overshadowed by Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s goal-scoring record.
The former Johor Darul Ta’zim FC player is also known for his off-the-ball movements and ability to support creativity in both the middle and final thirds. His partnership with former Jamshedpur FC star and playmaker Greg Stewart will energize Des Buckingham’s attacking division.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
Mumbai City FC is studded with star players who are distinguished and attributed in their own ways and deserve to be in the starting XI. However, we at InsideSport.IN chose our choice of how the Islanders should assemble.
Phurba Lachenpa (Goal Keeper), Mehtab Singh, Amey Ranawade, Rostyn Griffiths, Vignesh Dakhinamurthy; Vikram Pratap Singh, , Vinit Rai, Ahmed Jahouh, Chhangte; Greg Stewert, Jorge Pereyra Diaz.
ISL 2022-23: From Greg Stewart to Vinit Rai, Five players who can help Des Buckingham reclaim LOST STATUS – Check Out
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Editors pick
