The Indian Super League will have 12 teams from the 2023/24 Season, the maximum number so far, with the addition of Punjab FC to the league. The Shers produced a remarkable showing in claiming the I-League title to enter the ISL after promotion became eligible for the winners of the competition from last season. Punjab FC also completed the AFC licensing criteria and agreed to pay a franchise fee like the rest, despite not being required to for promoted sides, to become eligible. The club did not want to miss out on the central pool revenue in the future. The team led by Staikos Vergetis is here not to add just the number to the league and will wish to make a steady impact in their first-ever ISL campaign. Their incredible I-league winning season is a reflection of the team spirit and confidence to take new challenges ahead.
Previous season performance
Punjab FC ranked first in the I-league and in some style last season with 10 points clear of runners-up Sreenidi Deccan. Initially, it was a neck-to-neck fight between the pair but the Sher managed to keep their nerves when required and eventually won the race. They finished on 52 points from 22 games with 16 wins and just two losses. Also scored the most goals in the league with 45 and conceded just 16. The majority of the strikes came from the boot of Luka Majcen, the top-scorer in the league with 16 and Juan Mera finding 10 more.
Punjab FC 2023/24 Transfers
IN: Leon Augustine, Prasanth K, Nikhil Prabhu, Amarjit Singh, Ricky John Shabong, Melroy Assisi, Madih Talal (Foreign), Kingslee Fernandes, Samuel Kynshi, Ranjeet Singh Pandre, Nitesh Darjee, Tejas Krishna, Sweden Fernandes (on loan), Wilmar Jordan Gill (Foreign), Dimitrios Chatziisaias (Foreign), Suresh Meitei, Mashoor Sheriff, Shibin Raj Kunniyil, Nikhil Prabhu
OUT: Shankar Sampingiraj, Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh, Aleksandar Ignjatovic (Foreign), Juan Nellar (Foreign), Deepak Devrani (on loan), Tejas Krishna (on loan), Freddy Lallawmawma, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Balwinder Singh
The exciting signing made by Punjab FC has been the signing of Wilmar Jordan Gill after he was released by NorthEast United. The Colombian striker scored eight goals in 11 ISL appearances and seven goals in just four Super Cup matches for the Highlanders last season. Dimitrios Chatziisaias and Madih Talal are the two other foreign signings hoping to make their mark in the upcoming campaign. Leon Augustine from Bengaluru FC is also a great addition to the squad with another star name Prasanth K joining from Southern rivals Chennaiyin FC.
Midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam will wish to rejuvenate his career with the Shers. Other notable Indian player arrivals have been Kingslee Fernandes from Churchill Brothers, Nikhil Prabhu from FC Goa, Ricky Shabong from Mohun Bagan, Mashoor Sheriff departing NorthEast with Suresh Meitei re-joining the club and Sweden Fernandes also added on loan. The goalkeeping rank has also been strengthened with Shibin Raj joining on a free transfer. Melroy Assisi is a talented centre-back signing from Rajasthan United.
In terms of departures, Juan Nellar and Aleksandar Ignjatovic have left the club despite playing a considerable part in the I-league winning campaign. Deepak Devrani's loan back to the league with Inter Kashi is interesting considering he carried the champion's luck wherever he went and was a good option at the back. Young Tejas Krishna has also followed the same route. Midfielder Freddy Lallawmawma's transfer to fellow ISL side Kerala Blasters and attacker Samuel Lalmuanpuia to Mohammedan SC have been high-profile departures from the club.
Do check out here ISL Fixtures for 2023/24 Season
Punjab FC 2023/24 Squad
Goalkeepers: Kiran Limbu, Ravi Kumar, Shibinraj Kunniyil
Defenders: Nikhil Prabhu, Dimitrios Chatziisaias, Nitesh Darjee, Suresh Meitei, Mashoor Shereef, Mohammed Salah, Khaimin Lhungdim, Tekcham Singh
Midfielders: Leon Augustine, Amarjit Singh, Ricky Shabong, Madih Talal, Sweden Fernandes, Asish Pradhan, Kingslee Fernandes, Maheson Singh, Samuel Kynshi, Juan Mera, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Melroy Assisi
Forwards: Prasanth K, Wilmar Jordan Gill, Ranjeet Singh Pandre, Krishnananda Singh, Luka Majcen
Head Coach: Staikos Vergetis
Preseason
Punjab FC took part in the Durand Cup 2023 but finished bottom of their group containing the two Kolkata giants, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and the invited team Bangladesh Army. They could manage only a goalless draw with the latter, also failing to score in the 2-0 and 1-0 defeats to the other two respectively. Even though these are pre-season games with players taking time to jell in, the lack of scoring touch will worry head coach Vergetis. Errors in defence leading to all the goals conceded are a concern too but the team is expected to sort it out as the campaign progresses.
Strength
Even though they failed to score in the Durand Cup, the attacking department for the team will be the strongest with I-league top scorer Juan Mera and ISL-proven Wilmar Jordan Gill expected to form a partnership. Their creativity strength will arrive from the Spaniard Juan Mera. The 29-year-old is also an additional source for goals from the middle of the park. Brandon Vanlalremdika is his ideal partner causing his impact from the midfield. Adding league-experienced players like Wilmar, Prasanth K, Mashoor, Leon Augustine and Amarjit Singh will help the club settle into the top division quickly. The team will also play freely with no real expectations lying on their shoulders. Being an unknown opposition to many in the league could also give them some advantage.
Weakness
Even though the experience will help and the myth of ISL being far superior to the I-League has been proven wrong multiple times before, the challenges will increase for the Shers. The team also do not have the spending power like the rest of the franchises having just joined the group so will not possess the same quality. The defence will be tested like never before with some of the lethal forwards around and the nature of leaking goals recently is a huge problem for them to maintain solidity.
Prediction
Punjab FC owner Sunny Singh has openly said that his team will perform better in the second season easing the pressure of instant impact in entering the ISL stage. He wished the players to have fun and not to bother about the results so it was a clear indication from the club to only be competitive once they receive the slice of central pool money. Their coach Staikos Vergetis though has said to treat each game as a final keeping the mentality of the team up. With no relegation to think about, it is sensible for the club to think about their strength and not go far ahead of themselves. Punjab FC wants to maintain the excellent progress the club has made so far.
Check here Punjab FC Fixtures for ISL 2023/24 Season
