There are two sides to Kolkata — one that looks like Mohun Bagan and one that looks like East Bengal. While Mohun Bagan has been making history one after another, East Bengal has struggled big time.
But in an attempt to fix things, Martand Raina has joined East Bengal. As easy as it may sound, Martand will have his work cut out, to say the least. Raina, a key player for Rajasthan United, will want to make the same impact.
Struggling East Bengal and Martand Raina’s Role
East Bengal has been struggling significantly in terms of performance. The team finished 9th in the ISL last season and later exited in the Round of 16 in the Kalinga Super Cup.
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All of this doesn’t make for great reading. The defence was one of the team’s weakest links, which looked far from convincing. To fix that, East Bengal has signed Martand Raina.
Raina, who has been performing well as a centre-back for Rajasthan United, could answer their problems. According to sources, East Bengal paid ₹25 lakhs for his services.
Along with the transfer fee, he will receive performance-based add-ons, with the club securing him for three years. It feels like Martand may have finally found the right place.
In the previous season, East Bengal struggled with an unsettled centre-back pairing. Injuries to Hector Yuste and Hijazi Maher disrupted the team’s progress.
Meanwhile, Anwar Ali couldn’t make the desired impact or contribute to the scoresheet. The East Bengal management believes Raina’s proactive nature and playing style will make a significant difference.
Other Buyers for Martand Raina
Martand Raina eventually joined East Bengal, but that wasn’t always the case. Other teams were also interested in signing him.
Clubs like Mumbai City FC were keen to acquire the defender. However, the deal didn’t materialise, and East Bengal seized the opportunity to bring him in.
Martand Raina: The Star of the I-League
If you think Martand Raina’s move to East Bengal is based on hype alone, think again. He had a stellar season with Rajasthan United.
Even though Raina is a defender, he scored 4 goals in 21 appearances. He started 20 of those matches and consistently delivered.
From timely interceptions to dominant aerial duels, his ability to control the game and push forward was sensational.
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