I-League Transfers – Five Value For Money Transfer Deals Ahead Of 2012-13 Season

The transfer window madness for the upcoming I-League season has stabilized to a certain extent, with all the top I-League clubs having roped in their desired transfer targets in accordance with their allocated budgets. This transfer season has seen an alarming trend of money taking over the driver’s seat, relegating loyalty to being a mere passenger; something which has been the trend in World Football for more than a decade now. The flow of money can be seen as a lifeline to the struggling football economy of the country. Having said that, any sane Indian football well-wisher would hope that love for money will never gobble up eternal values like morality and love for the game among current corp of players and club officials.

Amidst all these high octane drama over some of the record breaking transfer dealings, there have been a few impactful yet value for money movements across various clubs involving some key players. TheHardTackle sheds light on some of such shrewd transfer moves and lists down top five value for money deals that has been officially confirmed so far by the respective clubs.

The versatile left-footed player, equally competent of playing either as a left full back or a left winger, is one of the most promising talents to watch out for in the ensuing I-League season. Sabas, who started his football career at Tata Football Academy, came to limelight after India U-19 coach Colm Toal spotted his talent in an age group camp and soon he became a part of India U-19 squad. A fan of Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Saleel matured as a player under the guidance of Colm Toal and represented ONGC FC in I-League 2010-11, before switching back to his boyhood club Viva Kerala (currently rebranded as Chirag United Kerala), although he had received offers from a host of clubs including AIFF’s very own Pailan Arrows brigade.
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Sabas Saleel can turn out to be a prized possession for USFC

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Known for his excellent crossing abilities, Sabas has been the most impressive player for Chirag United in the recently concluded edition of I-League and it was not a surprise to see a number of I-League clubs were gunning for his signature on the dotted line once his contract with Chirag United expired by the end of 2011-12 season. Despite having the opportunity to represent established outfits like Goan giants Salgaocar and Derrick Pereira’s Pune FC, Saleel decided to join Baichung Bhutia’s United Sikkim FC, who have qualified for the top Indian league this season and can offer him more first team opportunities.

Although the financial aspect of Saleel’s deal with United Sikkim has not been disclosed officially, it is rumored to be in the range of Rs 25 Lakhs per year, if a reliable source close to the North-Eastern club is to be believed. The deal is no less than a steal as far as United Sikkim are concerned, considering the fact that East Bengal had to pay more than double the amount to sign up his compatriot Lalrindika Ralte from Churchill Brothers. To put things into perspective, Salgaocar paid close to Rs 35 Lakhs to rope in much lesser known winger Chhangte Malswamkima from Mumbai FC.

One of the rarest of rare Indian strikers, who could manage to score on more than 5 occasions in I-League 2011-12 edition, 22-year old lanky striker Sandesh Gadkari became a hot property as soon as the season ended. His strike partnership with Manandeep Singh was an instant hit for the Airmen and accounted for almost 50% of the goals Air India could score in the season. Both Manandeep and Sandesh notched up 7 goals apiece and attracted interest from a host of top Indian clubs including Kolkata Giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Sandesh’s aerial abilities caught the eye of Salgaocar coach Karim Bencharifa and he did not waste any time to get in touch with the 6’2” tall Maharashtra striker to negotiate a transfer deal. Fearing a hijack of the deal by Kolkata Giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, Salgaocar sent two officials to his home town Pune in the month of July to secure his signature on the dotted line. A two-year deal was signed between Sandesh and Salgaocar, which will see him make richer by Rs 50 Lakhs by the end of 2013-14 season. While East Bengal had to cough up a whopping Rs 40 Lakhs to rope in Sandesh’s strike partner Manandeep Singh, Karim Bencharifa did a shrewd business by convincing Sandesh to sign for a mere Rs 25 Lakhs per season deal.

After spending two successful seasons in his second stint with the Red-&-Gold brigade, the 2003 ASEAN Cup winning East Bengal goalkeeper decided to rejoin ASEAN Cup winning coach Subhash Bhowmick at Churchill Brothers’ camp. The former Team India goalkeeper has always been the preferred choice for East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan ahead of the talented Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and the British coach desperately wanted Sandip to stay at the Red-&-Gold camp for one more season. However, the veteran ‘keeper and East Bengal’s goalkeeping coach Atanu Bhattacharya developed differences with some of the club officials, which later paved way for him to look for future beyond East Bengal.

Knowing about Sandip’s decision to quit East Bengal camp, Churchill Brothers Technical Director and former East Bengal coach Subhash Bhowmick immediately called him up and offered him a transfer proposal. Besides, newly formed club Dodsal FC coach Bimal Ghosh personally met with Sandip and requested him to sign for them. Reportedly Dodsal Group was ready to offer him a 100% hike compared to what he was earning at East Bengal. Prayag United, Pune FC and United Sikkim FC also showed keen interest in roping in Sandip.
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The Red-&-Gold fans will be missing Sandip Nandy's assured presence

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Finally after a lot of deliberation, the most experienced goalkeeper in I-League decided to ink a deal with Churchill Brothers to re-unite with his mentor Subhash Bhowmick. According to reports published in popular Bengali news-papers, the two year deal with Sandip is going to cost Churchill around Rs 60 lakhs – which is a bargain considering the experience and assurance Sandip will be bringing to Churchill defense.

The Manipuri midfielder has been the only bright spot for HAL SC in last edition of I-League and and deservedly got call ups from a number of I-League clubs to join their bandwagon for 2012-13 season. Former Team India and Dempo SC coach Armando Colaco was pretty impressed with Meitei’s ability to play in any position and wanted him to don the Dempo jersey. Pune FC, Churchill Brothers, Sporting Goa and United Sikkim FC were also in the reckoning for getting his signature on the dotted lines because of his tremendous work ethics and ball control.

Salgaocar coach Karim Bencharifa’s excellent negotiation skills again did the trick as the Goan Greens managed to convince Meitei to sign on the dotted lines for Rs 20 Lakhs a season deal in favor of them. Salgaocar badly needed his services this time around after their seasoned midfield campaigner Tomba Singh switched over to city rivals Churchill Brothers. This will be the first team Meitei will be playing for a top Indian club and he will be one of the most promising players to watch out for when the next edition of I-League kicks-off later this year.

Watch out for Churchill Brothers team to do wonders this time around! Under the mentorship of Subhash Bhowmick, they are quietly making an alround squad brimming with quality in each and every department. The addition of veteran Manipuri creative midfielder Tomba Singh from arch-rivals Salgaocar camp, for a reported fee of Rs 45 Lakhs per season, gives the Goan Red Machine an all new attacking dimension.

An extremely gifted ball-player with the vision of a leader, Tomba was the building block of Salgaocar’s success in last couple of seasons. Besides, his abilities to whip in deadly deliveries from set piece situations will be an added advantage for the Churchill brigade. In his long top flight career of over a decade, the only chink in his armor has been fitness. If he can remain injury free for most part of the season, Tomba’s partnership with Brazilian midfield Maestro Beto is going to be I-League’s most fearsome midfield combination and the opponent coaches must already be spending sleepless nights to formulate a strategy to restrict them.