The 2025-26 Indian Super League season is set to be a unique season for Mumbai City FC. For the first time since 2020, the club is going into the season without the backing of the City Football Group (CFG). Questions also arise about the club’s home ground, the Mumbai Football Arena, which was last used for the Rugby Premier League (and occasional events), and hence about the state of the pitch. However, the club have invested in improving the squad and seem to have also taken steps to get the stadium match ready.
The 2024-25 season was a poor one by the club’s standards, finishing sixth before a colossal 5-0 loss against Bengaluru FC in the playoffs. Both Super Cup editions held last year provided some optimism in flashes, but both resulted in semi-final losses. However, one of the silver linings of the season was the breakthrough of young full-back Nathan Rodrigues, establishing him as a valuable squad option in defense.
The 2025-26 season, in its truncated form, will be a much more cut-throat league due to the reduced number of games. While the Mumbai squad does have gaps, the individual quality of the Indian contingent, on paper, is among the best in the league. But as ex-Jamshedpur captain Peter Hartley once said: “We play on grass, not on paper”. The 13 games on the grass will be a true test for Petr Kratky’s team.
Transfer Window
Mumbai’s transfer window can be split into three parts: summer, October, and winter.
In the summer, the club announced the list of players being released, which included Dutch defensive midfielder Yoell van Nieff, Greek forward Nikos Karelis, Syrian defender Thaer Krouma, and fan favourite winger Bipin Singh. Defender Mehtab Singh was also bought by Mohun Bagan SG for an undisclosed transfer fee, rumoured to be one of the highest in Indian football history.
In terms of incomings, the club signed midfielders Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung (aka Tluanga) and Puipuia from I-League clubs Sreenidi Deccan and Aizawl respectively after their contracts had expired. The club also brought back veteran Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz back to the club.
In October, Mumbai confirmed three defensive signings ahead of the Super Cup, bringing in centre-back Bijay Chhetri, right-back Dhruv Alva, and the versatile Amandeep Bhan. Chhetri and Alva brought foreign experience from their stints in Uruguay and Spain respectively, while Amandeep represents an extra option who can play across the defence.
In winter, the foreign player exodus from India to Indonesia hit Mumbai City as well. Experienced defender Tiri departed for Persijap Jepara, and Spanish attacking midfielder Jon Toral left for Persik Kediri. This left two voids, but the club did not look likely to sign players.
In early-February, though, after the league had a set start date, Mumbai signed Portuguese defender Nuno Reis, and Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko. While Kauko is not a like-for-like Toral replacement, he does fit into the deeper midfield role in the Mumbai City lineup, allowing Brandon Fernandes a clearer run at the attacking midfielder role. The club also brought back Sahil Panwar as an extra defensive option.
Foreign Contingent
Barring any late transfer action, Mumbai City will go into the season with only four out of six foreigner spots filled. These will be Jorge Ortiz, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Joni Kauko, and Nuno Reis. All four foreigners bring experience of playing on Indian shores to the Islanders. While Reis might not have had the most playing time, he had training sessions for Mohun Bagan SG in the Indian climate. This makes the adaptation to the conditions much easier.
Ortiz might be the player that Mumbai relies on the most. His direct attacking play will be crucial for quickly progressing the side up the pitch and being able to ease pressure with his skill on the ball. His link-up play with Pereyra Diaz will be crucial, with the two going to be key figures in the Mumbai attack.
Joni Kauko will be a crucial factor behind them. He is a box-to-box midfielder with the ability to make late runs and get goal contributions from midfield. He can also make key defensive actions to win the ball back, which would reduce the burden on his midfield partner. However, he is not a direct replacement for the defensive-minded Yoell van Nieff, a profile needed in Kratky’s system.
Defender Nuno Reis rounds up the foreign contingent. A right-footed centre-back, Reis can compensate for the experience lost due to Tiri’s departure and represent a foreign defensive option for the club. While not the flashiest of names, he represents a shrewd, lower-cost foreign signing for the truncated league.
Read More: Mumbai City sign midfielder Joni Kauko – Footy India
Indian Contingent
The club’s Indian players represent quality options as well. Kratky rotated goalkeepers last season, choosing between TP Rehenesh and Phurba Lachenpa. In defense, Valpuia, Bijay Chhetri, and Akash Mishra are going to be the likely first choice in their respective positions. Dhruv Alva will provide competition to Valpuia at right back, and can also give Kratky the option of repositioning either player to accommodate both.
Nathan Rodrigues would also be strong competition for Akash Mishra but did not feature in the Super Cup due to injury. No updates on his fitness have been released either. Sanjeev Stalin, Halen Nongtdu, Amandeep, and Sahil Panwar represent further depth options.
Brandon Fernandes represents the lead in the Indian midfielders. He will be expected to bear the creative load when on the pitch, with his ability to find passes through the defence, and with accurate set-piece delivery. Tluanga, Franklin Nazareth, and Puipuia add depth, and one of the three will likely be chosen next to Kauko. Youth academy graduate Aadil Sheikh adds extra depth as well.
In attack, Lallianzuala Chhangte leads the way. Mumbai City’s captain, and the most recent Indian to win the Player of the League award. Alongside him, Vikram Partap Singh, who also won the 2023-24 emerging player award. Both big names, but both wingers had a poor 24-25 season by their standards. Ayush Chhikara adds physicality and depth up front, and Noufal PN is an option giving blistering pace on the wing. Gyamar Nikum also represents depth on the wing, but has been under-utilized by Kratky during his stint so far.
Coach and Coaching Staff
Mumbai’s coaching staff consists of Petr Kratky, Mohun Dass, Adrian Dias, and Milos Petrovic. Kratky’s system relies on wide players to step up, frequently using crosses as an attacking weapon. His structure also relies on a defensive midfield “screen” who can sit back and win the ball back, while also playing forward passes from deeper positions. This role has not been directly filled, which could make Kratky rethink the duties he assigns to his midfielders.
Kratky’s system has come under-fire from Mumbai fans with unconvincing displays in 2024-25, and poor results in the Super Cups as well. Pressure will be on him to deliver better football than last season, but can be given some leeway due to the quality (and form) difference between the Islanders, and other sides like Punjab FC, East Bengal, and Mohun Bagan. Furthermore, considering the shortened league, cost factors, and viability of coaches on the market, Kratky is not a bad option to have in the dugout.
Pre-Season
As per updates from the club, the squad has just been training. After the 2-1 loss to Goa in the Super Cup semifinal, it does not seem like the club has played any friendly matches to keep match fitness up. This could be a problem for match fitness in the first game of the season.
Predicted XI
Kratky’s 4-2-3-1 will likely retain a similar structure to his Super Cup lineups, albeit with minor tweaks in personnel due to arrivals and departures. The goalkeeper and attacking midfield position remain a question, but the Super Cup could be an indication toward Kratky’s selections.
The lineup could be:
Phurba (GK); Valpuia, Nuno Reis, Bijay, Akash; Kauko, Tlaunga; Chhangte, Ortiz, Brandon; Pereyra Diaz.
Brandon and Ortiz could be given freedom to drift and interchange positions, allowing for two offensive creators to be on the pitch supplying chances. With Tlaunga the preferred option during the Super Cup, he will likely keep his place alongside Kauko.
X-Factors
Mumbai will likely have two X-Factor players in the squad: Bijay Chhetri and Jorge Ortiz. Chhetri steps into a void left by the outgoing Mehtab Singh and will be one of the most important players in the squad. He had a Super Cup where he could hold his head high, playing a part in all four of Mumbai City’s games and looking defensively secure. He needs to step up and form a partnership with Nuno Reis to give a strong base to the team.
Going forward, Jorge Ortiz will be the player Mumbai will look to for creativity. His directness, ability to carry the ball forward, and passing ability creates a link between midfield and attack. His prowess from range, while it hasn’t been visible for the Islanders yet, makes him an even greater threat outside the area. His link-up with fellow attackers Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Lallianzuala Chhangte will be crucial, paired with his ability to optimise Joni Kauko’s runs from deep, can change the course of the team’s attacks.
Season Predictions
While Mumbai has a good squad overall, it might not be a squad up to competing for the title. With the strength of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, as well as clubs like Punjab FC and Jamshedpur who have strengthened their squad in the right areas, the Islanders will have their work cut out even to be around the top half of the table. However, with the quality of player at the club (if they’re able to hit form), can allow for a push for a top six. However, a title race seems far-fetched, with the aforementioned four teams the likely competitors. A sixth-place finish for the club seems the most likely.
First Game and What’s Next
Mumbai’s first game of the season will be at home against Chennaiyin on the 19th of March. The Marina Machans themselves will be coming into the fixture with a new-look six-foreigner contingent, and a strong set of Indian players as well. They will be coached by Clifford Miranda, who left his post as assistant coach at Mumbai to take up the role of head coach at Chennaiyin.
After getting this game out of the way, Kratky will need to find his best lineup quickly and get his tactical selection on point. Considering the shortened league, results are going to be crucial in securing a higher finish. Mumbai City fans will hope for a successful season in spite of the circumstances dealt.
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