January, a crucial month in the middle of the season for teams from top to bottom of the league table to make alterations and changes in their squads. Some looking to change things in order to get into the top 4 race, while some looking to upgrade and improve their squads to lock their spots on top of the table along with strengthening their squads for the upcoming Continental tournaments – AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League.
The January transfer window so far has seen a number of transfers, many of which were even unexpected and came as a surprise to many fans. Swap deals and big signings rained all over the winter transfer window till the very last day of the month.
Let’s have a quick look at all the confirmed transfers that took place throughout this transfer window and how the teams have shaped up for the remaining part of the season.
Transfer and Loan Deals:
1. Adil Khan and Dheeraj Moirangthem to FC Goa:
Indian International, Adil Khan made his move on a Loan from Hyderabad FC to FC Goa, as the team was in need of quality players before the much important AFC Champion’s League begins and equally was Adil eager to move to a club where he could get more game time and put up his best performances to be considered for selection in the Indian National Team.
On the other hand, the Indian U17 World Cup sensation Dheeraj Singh had now spent a while on the bench at ATKMB and surely seeked some game time, and soon after the talks about Nawaz leaving the club, Dheeraj was signed up by the FC Goa management. Both Dheeraj and Adil made their FC Goa debut already, one looked to be growing in confidence with the match progressing, and the other looked like a leader at the back for FC Goa, which would surely bring lots of confidence to Juan Ferrando and his team.
2. Manuel Lanzarotte to Chennaiyin FC:
Chennaiyin FC were up with a blow as Rafael Crivellaro was out for the season due to an injury and were looking for a replacement for their star man, and there could probably be no better option than Manuel Lanzarotte, also known as Lanza, at the moment. With the top 4 race still on for Chennaiyin, they would be keeping their hopes high with the return of Lanza to the Indian Super League.
3. Xisco Hernandez to BFC:
Bengaluru FC is without a doubt going through their worst season in their history so far, and further troubled with injuries to few of their key players. At this very moment if anything could help them would be a switch, which they rightfully made as they call back Xisco Hernandez for his 2nd stint with Bengaluru FC, in a hope to turn things around for the Blues.
4. Deshorn Brown to NEUFC:
An interesting turn of events once again saw a striker from Bengaluru FC moving out at half the season, with a poor record for the Blues. Similar to Manuel Onwu, this time it was Deshorn Brown who made his move out from BFC to North East United.
Many were already discussing if he could do what Onwu did with 7 goals for Odisha FC last season after joining the team from BFC, and it might just turn out to be the same in real for Deshorn Brown as he has already netted in 3 goals since joining the Highlanders, along with a Brace in his last games. This could just be what NEUFC needed to give them back their momentum and confirm a top 4 spot for the team.