At the beginning of every Indian football season, only few clubs generate as much anticipation and excitement as East Bengal. The Red and Gold brigade commands one of the most passionate fan bases in the country, and each summer carries the weight of fresh expectations. The summer of 2025 is no different.
After winning the Kalinga Super Cup in the 2023-24 season, the club went all in investing heavily in foreign players and bolstering key domestic positions. However, things did not unfold as planned.
Despite the optimism and a promising squad on paper, East Bengal’s campaign began to falter early. Head coach Carles Cuadrat, who had guided the team to cup glory, was sidelined just months into the ISL season after a string of disappointing performances. In a bid to stabilize the team, the club turned to Oscar Bruzon, a tactician with a reputation for building organized, competitive sides with prior experiences in South Asia.
Yet, even under Bruzon, East Bengal couldn’t shake off its struggles. For the fifth straight season, the club failed to qualify for the ISL playoffs—a painful statistic for a club with such tradition. Their title defense in the Kalinga Super Cup was also short-lived, as they exited in the first round after a loss to Kerala Blasters.
Now, as the summer arrives once again, East Bengal finds itself at a crossroads. Like every off-season, this one brings a chance to rebuild and refocus. But this time, the decisions that lie ahead are far more complex.
Oscar Bruzon wants the current foreign roster to leave; Players asks the settlement of contracts in advance
Oscar Bruzon is keen to stamp his authority on the squad and has reportedly requested a complete overhaul of the foreign contingent. According to sources close to the matter, “Coach Oscar has requested a new foreign roster for the upcoming season, releasing the entire current set of foreigners.” This move, however, is not as straightforward as it seems.
Under Cuadrat’s leadership last season, East Bengal had handed out multi-year contracts to four of their six foreign players, making any overhaul a financially sensitive task. The club has initiated discussions with the players’ entourages about a potential release, but there’s significant resistance.
At least three of the foreign players who are on a 2 years contract—Hijazi Maher, Madih Talal, and Saul Crespo—have made their stance clear. “Hijazi Maher, Madih Talal, and Saul Crespo have informed the club letting know of their conditions if they wish to terminate the contracts. The club needs to pay the salary in advance if they see these players not part of the project anymore,” sources have confirmed to FieldVision exclusively.
This creates a difficult situation for both the club and Bruzon. On one hand, the coach wants a clean slate and full control over the incoming transfers; on the other, East Bengal risks a substantial financial hit if they proceed with the contract terminations.
Hijazi Maher had a very underwhelming season in the Indian Super League as the team conceded 33 goals in the campaign. Saul Crespo too was often found hot and cold in the recently concluded campaign. Madih Talal’s season was shortlived as he went down with the ACL tear.
Verbal agreements with domestic players reached; Contracts to be rolled out after Oscar’s approval
So far, the club has scouted and reached verbal agreements with a few domestic talents, but final contracts will only be issued after Oscar Bruzon approves them. It is clear the coach is determined to shape the squad to his liking and is not willing to inherit plans made under a previous regime.
While the current season is technically still ongoing, East Bengal must tread carefully over the next few weeks. A misstep could not only derail their summer transfer window but also set the stage for another underwhelming season. The key question now is whether the club will negotiate settlements with its current foreign players or choose to retain them and risk internal friction.
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