Mohun Bagan players to head elsewhere?

Tolgay and Nabi – star players on their way out?

Taking into consideration the fact that most of the players’ families depend solely or largely on them, the Indian Football Association has come to the rescue, assuring the players of a secure future.

Panic had erupted among the camp, with players really worried about their future, which is largely undecided following the two year ban been handed to the Kolkatan giants Mohun Bagan.

In latest developments, The I-League CEO Sunando Dhar has come out and stated that the players can participate in other tournaments or seek a transfer or a loan move to another club. “The Bagan players need not worry. They can play in tournaments other than I-League. If they choose to move out, then there is an option of being loaned out or seek transfers when the transfer window opens. Of course, the players and the club have to come to an agreement before any movements occur,” Dhar was quoted as saying.

The club has appealed on the ban handed to them, albeit it appears highly unlikely that the decision would be revoked, but a reduction to a one year ban is on the cards. But even then, in the process, the players would have wasted a span of their playing time and the assurance from the Indian FA comes as a lifeline for the players.

With January 16 set to be the opening day for the transfer window, most of the Mohun Bagan players have already started assessing their options and a few are already in talks with other I-League clubs for a possible loan move. The remaining players are even game for a move to a second division I-League club.

With the Mohun Bagan players likely to be available and in demand, clubs are prepared to splash the cash, come the transfer window, to strengthen their squad. With big names like Odafa, Tolgay and Nabi on a possible move out, this January has all the prospects of being one of the most interesting in the history of Indian football. With half of the season done and dusted, the teams would have also assessed their position and weak areas and given the availability of Bagan players, some being of high quality, this could just prove to be the rescuing act teams were looking for.

One of the top Mohun Bagan player on condition of anonymity said, “We are left with no other choice, but to look for other options. As a player you won’t like to sit idle and do nothing. There are few interests and we will like to pursue them,” claimed the player.