ISL 2018-19: 5 key players for Mumbai City FC this season

It's fair to say that Mumbai City FC have had a rollercoaster-ride when it comes to the Indian Super League. The Islanders have finished outside a top-four spot on three out of the four occasions. The only exception came during the 2016 season, when they finished top of the table after the league stage, only to get knocked out in the Semis.

Nevertheless, Mumbai City has developed a reputation of also-rans, having missed out on a notable spot again-and-again.

However, the Ranbir Kapoor-owned franchise decided to go for a makeover before the start of the 2018-19 season in order to replicate more of their 2016 form.

To begin with, the Islanders decided to let go of manager Alexandre Guimaraes, under whom they achieved a first-place and a seventh-place finish respectively. Replacing the Costa Rican was former Porto man Jorge Costa.

From getting his nose broken by George Weah, to scoring a crucial own goal in the World Cup, to captaining his side to Champions League triumph; it is fair to say that Jorge Costa has had an interesting playing career.

The Portuguese, under Jose Mourinho, led his side FC Porto to Champions League success during the 2003-04 campaign, while also enjoying some domestic glory. Moreover, he featured fifty times for his national team before hanging up his boots in 2006. From then on, he began a long managerial career which ultimately led him to take charge of Mumbai City FC.

Costa has previously stated that he likes to play an offensive style which would entertain the fans. However, he has also asserted the importance of taking three points above all else; an ideology which will sit well with the Mumbai City fans. Moreover, his ideas are reminiscent to those of his one-time manager Jose Mourinho, who employed similar tactics in his early stints at Chelsea (2004-07) and Inter Milan (2008-10).

A managerial change is not all that has undergone in the Mumbai City dressing room. In fact, the Islanders have brought in an almost entirely new set of players in a bid to start from scratch.

Which of those players can, then, prove to be key for the 2016 table-toppers?

#5 Lucian Goian (Central Defender)

The Romanian 6'1 centre back has been with the Islanders since 2016. Joining from CFR Cluj, Goian turned out to be an instant hit, helping the side to a first-place finish. However, after their Semi-final loss that season, he left the club to join Australian side Perth Glory.

Nevertheless, Goian returned to Mumbai City a year later and was appointed as the new captain of the side owing to his leadership skills and experience.

His first season as the captain of the club didn't go exactly according to the plan, as Mumbai City finished seventh on the table, conceding twenty-nine goals and finishing with a negative goal difference.

However, the return of Anwar Ali can see the Romanian find his earlier form and lead his side to a top-four finish yet again. The duo was the choice pairing at the Center back position under manager Guimaraes during 2016. During that season, Mumbai City conceded just eight goals in fourteen matches.

Moreover, his leadership skills can further prove to be key for the Islanders, as they look to return to their glory days.

#4 Mohammed Rafique (Central Midfielder)

Now Twenty-seven, Mohammed Rafique's career has been nothing short of an enigma. The central midfielder has never really enjoyed a string of appearances in the Indian Super League. He has a meagre seventeen appearances over three seasons in the league. Remarkably, Rafique also has a title-winning goal to his name.

Four years earlier, the central midfielder rose above the rest to smack the ball into the net as his side Atletico de Kolkata beat Kerala Blasters by a solitary goal in the first-ever ISL final. However, as far as the super league goes, that has been the only remarkable thing Rafique has ever done. Nevertheless, the Indian midfielder did enjoy some great seasons with East Bengal in the I-League and has Eleven national team appearances to his name.

Mumbai City brought in Rafique before the 2018/19 season in a bid to build a new-look squad.

If Jorge Costa puts his faith in the Indian, he can prove to be a key player for the Islanders. The Kolkata-born midfielder can act as a pivot between the attack and the defence and can contribute with set-pieces as well.

Rafique's talent has largely gone unnoticed in the ISL. Maybe this is the year when he properly announces his arrival.

#3 Subhasish Bose (Full Back / Central Defender)

Subhasish Bose is one of the most talented youngsters in Indian football. The 23-year-old defender from Kolkata quickly rose through the ranks and is already a part of the Indian national senior team.

Bose's first excursion in the Indian Super League came last year when he joined league debutants Bengaluru FC via a player draft. Over the course of the season, the youngster quickly established himself as one of the key players in the squad along with Sunil Chhetri, Miku, Udanta, and Bheke.

Moreover, the 23-year-old defender was also handed the armband of the national side for the SAFF Suzuki Cup.

As a result, it came as a surprise when Bengaluru let him join league rivals Mumbai City FC. Nevertheless, one team's loss is another team's gain.

There are two factors which can show why Bose will be an important player for the Islanders during the 2018/19 season. First is his versatility. The youngster can slot in both the wide and the central defensive areas with ease, providing head coach Costa with good options. Second, Bose has the attributes to fit into the new coach's ideology. He can be a threat going forward and can always be relied upon defensively.

Time will tell if letting the youngster go turns out to be Bengaluru FC's biggest mistake since their inception.

#2 Modou Sougou (Forward)

Modou Sougou has had an impressive career so far. The 33-year-old Forward has turned out for clubs like CFR Cluj, Marseille, Academica, Evian, Sheffield Wednesday, Vitoria Setubal, and more. Sougou has also lined up for his national side on twelve occasions.

When signing for European heavyweights Marseille, then manager Elie Baup described the Senegalese as an 'Accelerator', with his speed causing havoc in the opposition half.

Apart from being a speed-demon, Sougou is a good finisher as well. The Senegalese showed the same attributes during Mumbai's pre-season games when he scored five goals in two matches, including four in one match.

Coach Jorge Costa will be eager to let the Senegalese wreak havoc in the opposition box, with the forward having all it takes to make a big impression in Indian football.

#1 Rafael Bastos (Forward)

Remarkably, Rafael Bastos becomes the third Islanders who have, at some point, played for Romanian giants CFR Cluj. The other two, Lucian Goian and Modou Sougou, also feature on this list. Both Bastos and Sougou have also previously played for head coach Jorge Costa in Cluj during the 2011/12 season.

However, coming back to the Brazilian Bastos, the speedy forward has had a long career which has taken him to several continents, let alone countries. In all fairness, the forward hasn't exactly been prolific during his career, scoring thirty-eight times in over two hundred and ninety-eight appearances.

Nevertheless, the thirty-three year old has what it takes to succeed in Indian football and can prove to be the x-factor for the Islanders.

Moreover, Bastos has already settled in with the team, scoring twice in two matches during their pre-season. The Brazilian can also replace the void left by Gerson Santos, who switched allegiances to ATK before the start of the season and revitalise the Mumbai City FC attack.