Sporting Club Delhi are all set to script a fresh chapter in Indian football as they make their Indian Super League debut in the 2025/26 season.
Rebranded and relocated from Hyderabad FC, the Red Brigade arrives with a young domestic core and carefully selected foreign reinforcements.
With a clear vision and a squad built for both present competitiveness and future growth, Sporting Club Delhi could emerge as one of the most intriguing teams to watch this season.
Potential Starting XI [4-2-3-1]
Between the sticks, new signing Nora Fernandes is expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Delhi-based outfit. Arriving from Kerala Blasters FC, Fernandes brings experience, composure under pressure, and reliable shot-stopping ability, making him a crucial presence at the back for a debuting side.
The defensive line reflects a blend of experience and fresh energy. Ashutosh Mehta, signed from Jamshedpur FC, is likely to slot in at right-back, offering leadership, defensive solidity, and the ability to push forward when required. On the left flank, former FC Goa man Yanglem Sanatomba Singh is expected to start, adding balance, work rate, and tactical discipline.
At the heart of the defence, club captain Alex Saji is set to partner new Brazilian signing Rafael Ribeiro, a combination that mixes leadership, physical presence, and ball-playing ability from the back.
In midfield, Sporting Club Delhi look to rely on strength, energy, and control. The newly assembled Ghanaian duo of Abdul-Halik Hudu and Ebenezer Amoh, both arriving from Rajasthan United FC, are expected to operate as central midfielders. Their ability to break play, cover ground, and transition quickly from defence to attack could form the backbone of the team’s system.
Ahead of them, Augustine Lalrochana Singh, signed from Aizawl FC, is likely to play as the attacking midfielder, tasked with linking midfield and attack while providing creativity in the final third.
The wide areas promise excitement and pace. Ramhlunchhunga is expected to feature on the right wing, offering direct running, youthful confidence, and relentless pressing. On the left wing, former Kerala Blasters FC prospect Mohammed Aimen could be a key attacking outlet, known for his dribbling, acceleration, and willingness to take on defenders. Together, the young wingers bring unpredictability and intensity, crucial for stretching opposition defences in the ISL.
Leading the line, new Serbian signing Matija Babovic is tipped to start as the central striker this season. Babovic’s role will be pivotal, not only in terms of goals but also in holding up play and allowing the midfield and wide players to join the attack.
On the sidelines, Tomasz Tchorz begins his journey as Sporting Club Delhi’s head coach. A well-known figure in Indian football’s youth development ecosystem, with past stints at Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters FC youth teams, Tchorz represents a long-term vision.
Under his guidance, Sporting Club Delhi are expected to emphasize structure, player development, and fearless football as they embark on this fresh start in the Indian Super League.
Conclusion
All things considered, Sporting Club Delhi’s maiden ISL campaign feels less like a leap into the unknown and more like a carefully planned statement of intent. With a balanced mix of experienced heads, hungry young Indian talents, and purposeful foreign additions, the Red Brigade appears built to compete while laying strong foundations for the future. If the squad clicks under Tomasz Tchorz’s structured and development-driven approach, Sporting Club Delhi could quickly shake off the “debutant” tag and establish themselves as a bold, fearless, and exciting new force in the Indian Super League.
