ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign four youth players
Kerala Blaster sign four youth players. What's the story?
Two time finalists Kerala Blasters have signed four young players in the middle of the ongoing ISL 2017 season. In a move considered for the long-term future. This move also seems to be a step taken to rejuvenate the ongoing poor season for Kerala Blasters.
In case you didn't know
Kerala Blasters has played 3 games this season and drawn all three. Despite having two of the best forwards of the tournament in their team in the form of Iain Hume and Dimitar Berbatov, they have managed to score just one goal and have conceded one in the process. They sit at the 8th spot out of 10 teams and have played one game less. The four players earlier trained with the reserve squad of the ISL team and were then picked after assessment.
The heart of the matter
The four players signed are Suraj Rawat, Hrishidhath, Deependra Negi and Mohamad Rakip. Suraj Rawat is a forward who currently plays for the Indian U19 team. Hrishidhath is a defensive midfielder who was associated with Kerala Blasters for quite long.
Deependra Negi is the former captain of the Indian U17 team and the midfielder currently playing with CF Reus Deportiu, while Mohammad Rakip had also played in the India U17 team previously. The latter plays at the centre-back position. By signing players from different positions their aim is clear. To have a strong side for the long-term future with. This shall also give the starlets the right exposure at the early stage of their careers.
What's next?
Kerala Blasters face FC Goa today at 8 PM and a big win today can bring them up to the 3rd spot today itself. Furthermore, they have at least 14 games after this in the tournament that will last until March 2018 and we might be able to see the 4 young stars signed in a few of them.
Author's take
Such moves should be taken by all the ISL teams as it solidifies the future of Indian football, and give the players the right exposure by training them with senior players from all across the world.