Derby Debutants: 10 players who may make their first ever Kolkata Derby appearance today

IT'S A STREET WISDOM in the Maidan that when it comes to the Kolkata Derby, it's best not to go in with too many players who have never played in this mega fixture.

The logic goes, the immense pressure during and in the long build-up to each Derby coupled with the enormity of the occassion can unsettle a player who has never played in the Kolkata Derby before. And having too many such players can negatively impact the performance of the entire squad. Many Derbies have seen teams with too many debutants sort of fade during the Derby; the most recent example being the CFL Derby in 2015 in which East Bengal hammered 4 goals past a Derby-inexperienced Mohun Bagan side.

Which is why it always helps to have a team where most players have done it before, because they would handle the pressure better and help ground the rookies on the field. 

While today's Kolkata Derby in Siliguri will not have the imposing presence of a hundred thousand fans like the Derbies held at the Salt Lake Stadium, the fact that it's a top of the table encounter and will elect the undisputed leader in the I-League title race increases the pressure on players. And as it happens, there are a number of prominent players in both teams who have never played in the Derby before. And it's not just the young wide-eyed squad players but some of the most important feet on the pitch; players both the clubs are betting their chances on.

TFG takes a look at 10 such players who may get their first taste of this historic footballing encounter, and their first short of getting in the history books today at Siliguri.