Here is our exclusive Hyderabad FC Squad Preview for ISL 2020/21. After a frustrating conclusion to their inaugural ISL season, the Nizams would want to impress their fans in their 2nd season in the Indian top tier football competition. With new additions to the squad, their objective doesn’t seem unachievable under Spanish manager Manuel Roca.
Hyderabad FC Squad Preview: Key Signings
- Subrata Paul (From Jamshedpur FC)
- João Victor (From OFI Crete)
- Holicharan Narzary (From Kerala Blasters)
- Joel Chianese (From Perth Glory)
- Lluis Sastre (From AEK Larnaca)
- Aridane (From Cultural Leonesa)
- Fran Sandaza (From AD Alcorcón)
Squad Overview
Goalkeepers: Safe and experienced hands
Signed as a free agent from Jamshedpur FC, the 33-year-old Subrata Paul very much in the pole position to start as the team’s shot-stopper. Another goalie with much ISL experience in the team is Laxmikant Kattimani, and he would want to challenge Subrata Paul for the position. The other 2 goalkeeping options Manas Dubey and Lalbiakhlua Jongte would look to make their ISL debut.
Defenders: Spanish resistance or Indian brilliance?
The team’s defense department is dominated by Indians, with last season’s regular starters like Sahil Panwar and Asish Rai likely to play in regularity for the Nizams. They are most likely to be joined by the new Spanish defender Odei Onaindia, signed from Spanish 2nd division club CD Mirandés as a free agent, who recently competed in the Copa del Rey 2019-20 and scored for his team against Villarreal in the semifinal. Other new signings Souvik Chakrabarti, Chinglensana Singh, Akash Mishra, and Dimple Bhagat also contenders to start games.
Midfielders: How far can the retained Indians combine with the new Spanish signings?
This vital department of any football team requires both experience and energy. Spanish midfielders João Victor, Lluis Sastre, and Néstor Gordillo will combine with Adil Khan, Mohammed Yasir, Abhishek Halder, and newly signed Sweden Fernandes, to provide depth to the Hyderabad team. It’s now up to manager Roca, how he’ll utilize them.
Forwards: Who would the Nizams depend upon for goals?
Indian Winger Nikhil Poojary made the most appearances for the team last season, and he might start this season’s matches too. The team has signed 2 quality Spanish Centre-forwards Aridane and Fran Sandaza, and they are expected to live up to the expectations. Australian-Italian winger Joel Chianese the highly-rated winger from Perth Glory might also impress. Other than these foreign names, Indians Danmawia, Holicharan Narzary, and Liton Colaco will also like to make an impact and may succeed in doing so, given a chance.
Hyderabad FC squad preview: Coaching Staff
Manuel Márquez Roca (Head Coach)
The Barcelona native Spanish manager Roca has the experience of managing several Spanish 2nd and 3rd tier teams, Croatian and Thai top tier teams. He has been handed over the responsibility of the Hyderabadi team after they had a frustrating debut season in the ISL, and also after their newly appointed manager Albert Roca returned to Spain to assist Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman. Manuel Roca will most likely play with the formation 4-2-3-1 with the options available to him.
- Xavier Gurri López (Assistant coach)
- Thangboi Singto (Technical Director/ Assistant Coach)
- Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Caretaker Coach)
- Joy Gabriel ( Head performance Analyst)
Hyderabad FC Squad Preview: Players to Watch Out For
Aridane Santana
The integral part of Odisha FC’s goals in their debut ISL season, Aridane Santana signed for the Nizams for the upcoming season and will like to continue his form at Odisha FC this season. For us, he is definitely a player to watch out for.
João Victor
The Spanish-Brazilian defensive midfielder has played in the Cypriot, Greek, Uzbek 1st tier football. He also had a 5-year long spell at Spanish club Mallorca. He signed for 1 year with Hyderabad FC, and will add depth to their midfield, and is another new signing to watch out for.
Nikhil Poojary
The former SC East Bengal and now dysfunctional Pune City FC winger was given a different role last season, and he became a mainstay of the team, with the most number of minutes played. This season too, if he is given a similar amount of time, he might a player to watch out for.
Conclusion
Football gradually became a popular sport in the city of the Nizams, thanks to ISL and Hyderabad FC. The disappointing debut season doesn’t necessarily explain the current Hyderabad team. With fresh new signings, Roca and his men might bring glory to the Nizams within the next few months.
Are you excited to see Hyderabad FC in ISL 2020-21? What is your opinion about this Hyderabad FC Squad Preview? Please let us know in the comments below.
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