Mumbai City have announced their second new foreigner ahead of the upcoming Indian Super League season, recruiting experienced Spanish midfielder Sergio Llamas on a free transfer. The midfielder joins the Islanders’ setup following a six-month stint at Inter Kashi for the shortened 2026 ISL season.
With Petr Kratky departing the club, an all-new foreign contingent is set to be signed under new head coach Manolo Marquez. For the rebuild, the Islanders are focusing on signing players with ISL experience. They have already announced the signing of ISL veteran Carlos Delgado, and players like Saul Crespo and Wilmar Jordan Gil are also linked with a move to the club.
One of the standout midfielders of the 2025/26 ISL season, Llamas was instrumental in Inter Kashi’s impressive performances during their first season in the top tier of Indian football. He initially arrived in India in the 2024/25 season, joining Gokulam Kerala FC in the second tier.
Midfielders have always been the heartbeat of any Manolo Marquez side, be it Joao Victor during his Hyderabad FC stint or Borja Herrera at FC Goa. Let’s take a closer look at the profile of Sergio Llamas and how he could play a key role in Mumbai City’s midfield in the upcoming season.
What is Sergio Llamas’s player profile?
Initially, Llamas was seen as an attacking midfielder, with the ability to play as a central midfielder behind a more traditional number 10. However, in his recent Inter Kashi stint, then-head coach Antonio Lopez Habas made the decision to shift him to a deeper, more defensive midfield role. Often deployed alongside Tomba Singh, the Spaniard would be tasked with the technical and defensive work, while his partner would take up the more physically demanding aspects of the game.
Statistically, the 33-year-old was a revelation defensively. He was in the top 4% of defensive contribution numbers, and in the top 5% of interceptions made in the 2025/26 ISL season. His 587 successful passes also put him in the top 2.5% of players in the league. While his assist numbers weren’t stand-out, with only a solitary assist to his name, his overall passing game and control of the tempo stood out.
Sergio Llamas’s likely fit in Manolo’s tactical style
In new Mumbai City head coach Manolo Marquez’s setup, Llamas would likely take up the deeper midfield spot. Aside from defensive work, the Spaniard would likely act as a playmaker from deeper areas, and play a key role in controlling the Islanders’ tempo of the game.
Furthermore, Llamas’s experience and understanding of tactical systems would likely make him a player Manolo would be eager to work with.
While Llamas is a done deal, clarity over his potential partner is still pending. Rumours claim the Islanders have signed former East Bengal and Odisha midfielder Saul Crespo, who would likely compete with Llamas for playing time.
While the two’s player profiles are different, with Crespo more of a box-to-box profile, foreigner restrictions would likely make a Llamas – Crespo pairing difficult. This would likely mean either Puipuia or Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung (aka Tluanga) would play in the other midfield role.
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