Wanting to do this thread on @FCGoaOfficial for a while, and now that most signings are clear, it’s time to put down a few things. On paper, FC Goa look weakened compared to last season without Mandar, Jacki, Fall, Jahouh, Boumous and Coro. That’s more than half the team gone.

But in reality, Goa would be hurting with only the departure of Boumous and possibly Mandar. Boumous remains the best player in the league and his exit changes the dynamic. A like-for-like replacement is in place, but can he win Goa’s hearts like Hugo?

The other exits did not come as a surprise. Jahouh would always follow Sergio and Edu now replaces him. Fall didn’t create a flutter with his exit and there’s an Asian being lined up as replacement. Coro’s spot is taken by Angulo, who has a similar record in Poland.

Redeem/Chothe are not the same as Jacki on the right, but unless you try, how will you know? Will have to keep our fingers crossed with this position as Jacki, despite his flaws, was very good last season.

The difference about F C Goa this season could be formations. I don’t expect Juan Ferrando to lineup with a 4-2-3-1 formation for every game. There could be multiple formations since he has players who can play in different attacking positions, Ortiz for example.

I expect Juan to not have a fixed or rather settled squad. You won’t see same players for every game, and instead with flexibility n options available, there could be a horses-for-courses policy. For weaker teams, 4 attacking foreign players. For top-four, 2 foreign defenders.

That’s one reason why FC Goa are desperate to sign Sandesh Jhingan. That will be a great signing, although I have my doubts whether it will happen. There is nobody to replace him and we might see Mohammad Ali continuing as backup.

From among new foreign players, Angulo is tried and tested. Ortiz has plenty of potential and according to club sources is “very fast, could be unpredictable like Hugo.” Ivan can be trusted to do the job in defence, while the next two are more than just decent choices.

Between Edu, Ortiz, Brandon, Redeem, Angulo and Boumous replacement, there is enough quality to attack, score plenty of goals. But Juan must find the balance between attack and defence. Attack is not always the best form of defence.

I’m looking forward to the Asian choice. If they get their first choice, he’d provide a towering edge. Should they move to the next Asian target, he’d be most comfortable with the ball at his feet and do what Jahouh was doing, from defence, spray long balls!

Will FC Goa make it to the top four? I don’t know. We will have to see how the team performs. They will need time because six of the first 11 players will be different. That’s quite some change. But let’s look at the positives.

Princeton will get some minutes, and a chance to prove his mettle. Everyone in Goa knows he’s good. Redeem/Chothe will fight for right-wing, but if both flop, Ortiz can shift. Left-back could be weakness, though club remains confident Saviour Gama is ready for the challenge.

Goa’s belief can be judged from the fact that they have not approached Narayan Das, despite being available. He could have been a safe option, having played at FC Goa before. But club thinks Saviour/Sanson/Sarineo could do the job.

Goa’s biggest advantage will be being at home. Familiar surroundings, plus training at their own ground. They will have the best training ground for six months in a row, without any hassle of adjusting their schedule.

And if everything goes according to plan @FCGoaOfficial may just spring a pleasant surprise! Wait for this one. Happy anniversary!

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