Mohun Bagan Super Giants have announced the signing of the 22-year-old Indian National team center-back Anwar Ali. But how much does this move justify with respect to Juan Ferrando’s tactical woes?
Anwar Ali joining Mohun Bagan Super Giant is a massive win-win for both parties, Mohun Bagan would finally get a ball-playing Indian center-back who could blend perfectly in Juan Ferrando’s playing 11. Earlier, although they had the experience of Pritam Kotal and Subhashish Bose, they were unable to play the way Mr. Ferrando wanted them to, as a result, he had to adapt. However, he would now have that liberty of playing his desired 4-3-3 style instead of make-shift back 3 formations. Last season, the Spanish coach had to change the formation multiple times, sometimes 4 at the back, sometimes 3, but the inclusion of Anwar would give the much-needed stability to the system.
On the other hand, for Anwar, it would mean continental exposure at the AFC Cup. Where he could attract multiple top Asian and European clubs. Who knows he gets an opportunity to showcase his ability at a much higher level?
How exactly would the Mohun Bagan defence look like with Anwar Ali on their team?
A back 4 consisting of Bose-Anwar-Hamill-Ashish could be the perfect backline at all competitions. Both Anwar and Hamill have the ability to play with the ball and even sometimes operate in their respective half-spaces. Considering the Mariners will go all guns blazing in the attack with the likes of Jason Cummings, Armando Sadiku, Hugo Boumous, and Dimitri Petratos up front in the attack, the 2 center-halves could create quality balls from the back combining well with Anirudh Thapa who could attack as the much-needed link between the defence and the attack.
They will have the young stalwart Ashish Rai on the Right side to help increase the width of the play. On the other side, Subhashish Bose is statistically the best Left-back in the league. His defensive solidity, experience, and some surprise crosses could come in handy.
If the Mariners can manage to convince their captain Pritam Kotal to stay, they could even try out the Back 3 formation consisting of Ali-Hamill-Bose, with Ashique and Ashish as Wing-backs on their respective wings, Carl Mchugh or Glan Martins sometimes dropping back could make it a make-shift 4 at the back during transitions. Even if Kotal doesn’t stay, they still can play Bose or Sumit Rathi in the Left sided Centre Back role with Anwar in the middle.
Anwar Ali is also a beautiful baller when it comes to taking set pieces. We all remember his free-kick goal against Argentina. He has an overall of 10 goal contributions in 96 senior professional appearances at both club and international levels combined. Defensively as well we saw him defend the goal against much physically stronger Lebanese players along with Sandesh Jhingan in the Blue Tigers outfit, he was also overpowering Kuwait until he got injured.
Upon his signing, Ferrando said that Anwar Ali’s playing style fits his philosophy completely. He definitely is that missing piece in the Bagan defence who would solve most of the defensive problems. Summing up his signing in a sentence, ‘he is an absolute steal’ considering how Mohun Bagan secured his signature during the last season before other clubs could even make a move.
