ISL 2021-22: NorthEast United are all set to sign former Delhi Dynamos attacking midfielder, Marcelinho on loan from I-League outfit Rajasthan United FC. The Brazilian midfielder will feature for the Highlanders till the end of the current Indian Super League season. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 Live Updates only on InsideSport.IN
The Highlanders are in dire straits at the moment with their current situation in the Indian Super League. There is immense pressure on Khalid Jamil as NorthEast United are currently tenth in the points table only above wooden spooners SC East Bengal.
🚨 | Former ISL golden Boot winner and Brazilian striker Marcelinho has joined NorthEast United FC. Done deal ✅. [@MarcusMergulhao] 🔴⚪👏#ISL #Transfers #IndianFootball #NEUFC @marcelinholeite pic.twitter.com/1H1t108hCe
— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) January 5, 2022
Although they drew 3-3 against defending champions Mumbai City FC, they have been pretty inconsistent this season. Also with so many players out for various reasons, it is never easy to maintain that cohesion in the team.
So Marcelinho’s signing can be a major positive move for the Highlanders. While the Brazilian is no stranger to the Indian Super League, his transfer to NorthEast United will also boost the morale of the other players. Youngsters will get to learn a lot of things from Marcelinho, who has been around in the league for some time now.
The 34-year-old made his ISL debut with Delhi Dynamos back in 2016 when he went on to become the season’s highest goalscorer and had 15 goal contributions. He then joined FC Pune City and was exceptional for them aswell. He has all the qualities that one can imagine in a Brazilian attacking midfielder. Starting from the tricks to the turns, the ability to pick out teammates and even a great eye for goals. He last featured for ATK Mohun Bagan last season when he was signed in the January transfer window on loan from Odisha FC. Marcelinho donned the Green and Maroon jersey eight times and scored twice.
His skillset will surely benefit the Highlanders who are missing their midfield lynchpin, Federico Gallego. The Uruguayan midfielder suffered a bad knee injury as his campaign came to an abrupt end. Once it was declared that Gallego won’t be able to return this season, Khalid Jamil started looking around for different players. He looked around for the ones who could replace the Uruguayan and also add more value to his team.
His search ended at Marcelinho who fits the bill and is also in India right now. The Brazilian is currently contracted with I-League outfit Rajasthan United. But with the uncertainty surrounding the I-League due to rising COVID-19 cases, Rajashtan have allowed Marcelinho to join Northeast United on loan.
After plying his trade for Delhi Dynamos, FC Pune City, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC and ATK Mohun Bagan, this will be Marcelinho’s sixth ISL club as he will look to develop an understanding with Deshorn Brown and guide the Highlanders forward.
Apart from Gallego’s injury, Khassa Camara has also left the ISL bubble after he was picked in the Mauritania national team and was called to for the Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Mathias Coureur is also not happy with his current stay at the club. The Martinique international took to Twitter to mention his dissatisfaction and his desire to leave the club as he is not happy in India. So it has been tough lately for the Highlanders but they will hope that Marcelinho’s arrival will ease out some of their issues.
The Highlanders are working on some other signings aswell and a few reports suggest that they are all set to welcome Austrian midfielder Marco Sahanek. However, nothing has been confirmed yet about his move to NorthEast United.
