From the very beginning of the summer transfer window, Odisha FC has been an utter surprise to all other ISL clubs. It was started by securing the signature of Sergio Lobera, and the recruitment of Roy Krishna is the latest addition to it. The Hero Super Cup 2023 winners announced the signing of Fijian International Roy Krishna on a one-year deal.
Roy Krishna was a part of Bengaluru FC’s Hero ISL semi-finalist squad in the 2022–23 season. Playing for Bengaluru FC, he scored 10 goals and provided six assists throughout the season. Krishna is capable of being more lethal but is facing problems due to his off-form.
Player Profile: Roy Krishna:
Roy Krishna came to India for the first time for ATK in 2019–20, when Antonio Lopez Habas was their Head coach. Since then, he has played successfully for ATK, ATK Mohun Bagan, and Bengaluru FC. He is the fourth-highest goal scorer with 42 strikes in the history of the ISL, only behind Bartholomew Ogbeche, Sunil Chhetri, and Ferran Corominas.
The 35-year-old versatile striker has clinical shooting ability and good pace. He can easily eliminate the opponent’s defender one-on-one and break the opponent’s defense organization with a smart move. Moreover, Krishna has sufficient quality to score a goal at any time of the match and to help his team in every possible way.
The Spanish tactician Sergio Lobera has had glamorous success on Indian soil. His possession-based attacking football helped him win the Hero ISL trophy, the ISL League Shield, and the Hero Super Cup. So, the Juggernauts are eagerly waiting to make a glorious future with their newly appointed coach.
Let’s point out how Roy Krishna will fit into Lobera’s system:
The Deadly Duo: Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio:
Though Sergio Lobera loves to play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, he can change his mind according to the team’s needs. He might think to field Roy and Diego together in a 4-1-3-2 setup.
Roy Krishna has the quality to drop back and help build up the play. This will go perfectly with Diego Mauricio’s tendency to make runs behind the defense. If this combination clicks, then this partnership will offer Odisha plenty of goals.
Besides, Lobera may think to play Mauricio wider in a 4-3-3 formation with Krishna playing as a Center Forward. So, if Lobera manages to fit them both in the starting 11, then this deadly duo will disrupt the opponent’s defense in every possible way.
Clinical Goal-Scorer and Gamechanger:
To clinch titles is the main goal of the Kalinga Warriors for the upcoming seasons. So they are recruiting the players who have been successful on Indian soil.
Roy, the lethal goal-scorer, can play as a No. 9. He has excellent shooting ability and excellent ball control. Roy Krishna, the actual fox in the box, is very quick and efficient to score a goal from a little opportunity inside the box.
Krishna has always been the rescuer when his team needs him the most. He has the capability to change the outcome of the game with his good understanding of exploiting scoring opportunities.
High Work-Rate and Versatility:
Among the strikers, his work rate is second to none. Whenever his team is facing problems in their defensive zone, Krishna always comes in to add numerical supremacy to destroy the opponent’s attack. Analyzing his career, we have noticed that Krishna is a total team player who always tries to help his team in every possible way.
Besides playing as a striker, Roy Krishna can also operate through the wings. He also has the ability to hold the ball and bring his teammates into play. He has great movement off the ball and has confidence and bravery.
With his versatility, the Fijian International will be instrumental in Lobera’s style of play.
Captainship role:
Krishna will help Odisha not only as a player but also as a captain in their upcoming outings. He has the experience of captaining the Fiji National Football Team, ATK, ATK Mohun Bagan. He contains a leadership quality in himself that will help Odisha gather more experience for the squad.
Squad depth:
Though Odisha FC has Diego Mauricio (the Golden Boot Winner of the 2022–23 ISL season), the inclusion of Roy Krishna will bolster their attacking line. Roy will add immense quality to their striking force and will add options in the hands of Sergio Lobera. Roy may also be used as a backup for their first-choice striker, Mauricio.
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