ISL 2019 | Squad analysis of NorthEast United FC for Season 5
After missing the playoffs on every occasion in the four-year history of the ISL, NorthEast United FC will be hoping for a change in fortunes in the fifth edition of the league. Dutchman Eelco Schattorie has now been handed charge of the side as the new coach for the 2018-19 edition.
After finishing dead last on the points table last year, NorthEast has made a plethora of changes to their side for the upcoming season in which they will play their first game against FC Goa at home. Despite the region being a hotbed of talent as far as Indian football is concerned, the team has not able to bear the fruits of the same. Schattorie, who joined as the assistant coach last season, has now been handed the reigns of the side this year. With as many as 14 new Indian and 7 new foreign recruits coming in for the fifth season, the Highlanders have made a statement of intent that they want to turn their fortunes around.
Defence
One of the few players who can still call Guwahati home is goalkeeper TP Rehenesh, whose services have been retained in spite of him conceding 25 goals in 17 matches last season. The NE management, however, did decide to change his deputy by bringing in Chennaiyin FC’s Pawan Kumar as a back-up.
With the addition of Croatian
Midfield
The midfield looks strong for the Highlanders with defensive midfielder Rowlin Borges being retained by the franchise. To partner the Indian international, NE have added Jose Leudo from Spain. The other two signings Federico Gallego from Uruguay and Augustine Okrah from Ghana will operate in front of
Their Indian midfielders mostly include some of the local
Forward
As coach Schattorie prefers to go with a 4-3-3 formation, the forward line will be crucial with three quality forwards in the starting XI. To make their attack stronger, the franchise has added Nigerian
Uruguayan striker Juan Cruz Mascia, who has played for the national team at the junior level, has also been added to the team to compliment the Nigerian. The presence of these two in the NorthEast attack is expected to
Strength and weaknesses
Goalkeeping is certainly the major concern for the North East United side with TP Rehenesh not having anything to show with his performance in the previous edition. The team doesn’t have a proper back-up for him as well with Pawan Kumar as the second custodian in the side. Pawan played only one game for the Chennaiyin FC side in the previous season which will be a headache for head coach Schattorie.
The Highlanders have a strong forward line and midfield which might trouble other teams in the league. They could only score 12 goals in the previous edition of the league which was one of the major reasons
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