ISL 2022-23, NorthEast United FC Team Preview: Squad, Fixtures, Key Players, Strength, Weakness, Predictions

Strengths:

As
they
are
going
into
the
new
season
as
a
fresh
and
fairly
young
squad,
the
team
will
be
aiming
to
feed
off
of
the
positivity
around.
Just
six
players
in
the
NEUFC
squad
are
above
the
age
of
30
with
four
of
them
being
foreign
signings.
The
onus
will
be
on
these
experienced
senior
overseas
stars
to
do
well
on
the
pitch
and
guide
the
team
through.

The
entire
team
has
a
good
balance
in
terms
of
numbers
across
the
defensive
and
attacking
areas
and
their
Israeli
coach
has
a
good
variety
of
Indian
and
foreign
players
to
choose
from
in
attack.

With
all
of
Balbul’s
foreign
signings
being
newcomers
in
the
tournament,
it
will
be
interesting
to
see
how
the
Israeli
will
incorporate
them
into
his
team
along
with
his
Indian
players.

Experts
claim
Balbul
is
known
for
his
sides
being
organised
and
if
he
can
get
them
playing
as
a
cohesive
unit,
NEUFC
could
be
difficult
to
beat.

Weakness:

The
Highlanders’ defence
will
largely
rely
on
Indian
players
for
there
is
just
one
foreign
defender
in
their
ranks
in
the
shape
of
Michael
Jakobsen.
Although
the
biggest
challenge
for
the
side
will
be
the
presence
of
a
lot
of
inexperienced
players.

The
pressure
expectations
in
the
early
stage
of
the
tournament
tend
to
impact
teams’
performance
and
it
could
be
a
case
with
NEUFC.

Players
to
watch
out
for

NEUFC
have
roped
in
some
quality
young
players
in
Jithin
MS
and
Emil
Benny.
The
team
management
has
also
managed
to
retain
a
few
key
players
such
as
Gurjinder
Singh,
Imran
Khan,
Danmawia,
and
Chhara.

Arindam
Bhattacharja
is
a
massive
signing
in
terms
of
experience
the
senior
goalkeeper
will
look
to
keep
the
defence
strong.

Gaurav
Bora
has
been
on
the
circuit
for
some
time
now
as
well.

It’s
the
foreign
signings
of
NorthEast
United
FC
that
look
very
exciting.
Matt
Derbyshire,
Jon
Gaztañaga,
Romain
Philippoteaux
in
particular.

Foreign
players:
Aaron
Evans,
Michael
Jakobsen,
Jon
Gaztanaga,
Romain
Philippoteaux,
Matt
Derbyshire,
Sylvester
Igboun.

Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Arindam
Bhattacharja,
Mirshad
Michu,
Nikhil
Deka

Defenders:
Gaurav
Bora,
Gurjinder
Kumar,
Jestin
George,
Mashoor
Shereef,
Michael
Jakobsen,
Mohamed
Irshad,
Nabin
Rabha,
Tondonba
Singh,
Provat
Lakra

Midfielders:
Alfred
Lalroutsang,
Emanuel
Lalchhanchhuaha,
Gani
Nigam,
Imran
Khan,
Joe
Zoherliana,
Jon
Gaztanaga,
Pragyan
Medhi,
Pragyan
Gogoi,
Sehnaj
Singh

Forwards:
Dipu
Mirdha,
Emil
Benny,
Jithin
M.S,
Laldanmawia
Ralte,
Manvir
Singh,
Matt
Derbyshire,
Parthib
Gogoi,
Rochharzela

Head
Coach:
Marco
Balbul

Fixtures