[caption id="attachment_58765" align="alignnone" width="580"]EB-Practice-251117-rr-(12) East Bengal footballers train at the practice grounds of the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Kolkata: All is not well within the East Bengal team. With just three more days to go before their I League opener against reigning champions Aizawl FC, the difference between Coach Khalid Jamil and Captain Arnab Mondal is being exposed. The East Bengal Captain was not present in the team meeting of Khalid after their practice session at Salt Lake Stadium. Coach Khalid Jamil was about to have a team meeting when he realised four players not present. Arnab Mondal, Md. Rafique, Willis Plaza and Gurwinder Singh left for home by the time Khalid met the footballers. Immediately the footballers were asked to return back. Gurwinder and Plaza could be contacted as they returned to the stadium to attend the meeting. But Rafique and Arnab could not be contacted. Later, The East Bengal captain on being contacted by xtratime.in said, “There isn’t any confusion or controversy with the coach. He has called a meeting with the players who he felt. I don’t have any problem.” It goes to be seen whether the cold war between the coach and captain affects the team performance in the I League. The club has entered into a three year contract with reputed Italian brand Parf as kit sponsor on Saturday. Meanwhile, Mehtab Hossain has sent a special message for his old club. In a video message sent to the club from Jamshedpur, the former Red and Golds midfield general said, “I have been associated with East Bengal club over the last one decade. I have been part of many highs and lows of the club. But unfortunately I couldn’t help the club win the coveted I League. Wish you all the best for the upcoming I League season. All I want to say is give off your best for the team, the results will fall in place.”

I League: All is not well with East Bengal. Find out why?