FC Goa likely to rope in Raju Gaikwad and Sanjay Balmuchu from Mohun Bagan

by Nancy Singh August 19, 2016

FC Goa is awaiting the signatures of defenders Raju Gaikwad and Sanjay Balmuchu from Mohun Bagan to complete their domestic signings for the next season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The Goan franchise capitalising with the signatures of a dozen domestic players and waiting for the defensive duo from Mohun Bagan to complete the formalities as soon as possible.

For all good reasons, Kolkata giants are hesitant to release both Gaekwad and Balmuchu before September 6 as they wish to complete their engagement in the Calcutta football league for the team.

“It is more than likely that Gaekwad and Balmuchu will have a delayed pre-season with FC Goa. They could join the team much after training kicks off,” said a source.

With training stint in Brazil from early next month, FC Goa will start their new season preparations. The players will assemble in Rio de Janeiro on September 1.

With chaos surrounding FC Goa’s interest. The franchise was docked 15 points, co-owners Dattaraj Salgaocar and Shrinivas Dempo were banned, and there was a monetary fine of Rs 11 crore.

Debabrata Roy and Keenan Almeida were the first two players to be retained. Also, Prathesh Shirodkar joined FC Goa a few days later.

Then there was a big gap until Jaydev Mody, Casino entrepreneur came into the picture, FC Goa responded with the signings of players like Laxmikant Kattimani, Fulgancio Cardozo, Robin Singh, Romeo Fernandes, Mandar Rao Desai and Denzil Franco.

Dempo midfielder Sahil Tavora will be team’s under-23 player while Zico is willing to take a risk with the goalkeepers after sanctioning a move for an all-Indian line-up.

Performing outstanding last season, Kattimani will be the first-choice goalkeeper for FC Goa but Subhashish has the talent and ability to set his mark in the territory making him Dempo’s numero uno goalkeeper for a long time.

FC Goa’s initial target for the under-21 slot was Kamaljit Singh but the Sporting Clube goalkeeper is currently injured, prompting the franchise to sign ONGC goalkeeper and junior international Sukhdev Patil.

Conflicting to domestic signings, FC Goa have confirmed the signing of just one international player, Joffre Gonzalez, although negotiations are in progress with seven of the eight players that Zico wants to retain and three new internationals.