ISL 2017/18: Kerala Blasters captain Sandesh Jhingan linked with move to Blackburn Rovers

Sanes — Sandesh Jhingan in action for the Kerala Blasters

What's the story?

The transfer period is full of surprises with rumours emerging left, right and centre every single day; some believable and some that certainly raise one's eyebrows. This rumour definitely belongs in the latter category.

A former football agent based in Yorkshire, England has recently claimed that Blackburn Rovers are close to signing Kerala Blasters captain Sandesh Jhingan. He has tweeted that talks are ongoing between the two clubs with the Rovers keen on taking the central defender on board this month.

Blackburn #Rovers will finalise a £300k deal to bring Indian national team defender Sandesh Jhingan to the club from Kerala Blasters this week. Blackburn owners Venky's believe the move will make the club more marketable to the Asian market #BRFC #KeralaBlasters #WeAreBlasters
— ITK Yorkie (@JD_agent) January 15, 2018

In case you didn't know...

Kerala Blasters have had a slow start to the ISL this time around with Sandesh Jhingan being the captain of the Kochi based unit.

On the other hand, Blackburn Rovers are flying in League One at the moment and are currently third in the league table, three points behind league leaders Wigan Athletic.

The heart of the matter

Coming back to the main story, the former agent has also claimed that the Lancashire side are preparing a £300,000 bid for Jhingan who signed a three-year contract with Kerala Blasters last year.

Rovers' ownership - the Venky's believe that signing one of India's premier footballers will help the side in building a solid fan base for the club in this part of the world and also help them become a marketable club in Asian markets.

But the tweet has not been received well by the Blasters fans who trolled the agent in his replies section and rubbished the fact that their skipper could leave the team.

He's currently the captain of @KeralaBlasters

Do you even expect him (who has a contract for 3 years) to leave a club he has been passionately playing for 4 years to come to Rover's
— Godwin Paul (@God_OfSports) January 16, 2018

How many times have you published stuff like this please? pic.twitter.com/6qwB6E9d0N
— Dave M (@onemattjansen) January 15, 2018

Aaaru nammude kappithaan..
Jhingan nammude kappithaan..
Aaaru nammude kappithaan..
Jhingan nammude kappithaan..@SandeshJhingan won't leave KBFC for money, there are greater things in his life than money, we half a million and more people love him, money can't buy the love.
— Jithu kuriakose (@jithupattattu) January 16, 2018

It's never going to happen man 😂
— Sravan Pradheep (@sravanpradeep7) January 16, 2018

Jhingan is our captain he will never leave the team @SandeshJhingan @KeralaBlasters
— AKHIL MANOHARAN (@AKHILMANOHARA22) January 16, 2018

What's next?

While the move remains highly unlikely, it remains to be seen if the player or club will react to the rumour.

Author's take

Sandesh Jhingan recently became the first Indian player to reach 50 appearances in the Indian Super League and this just goes on to show the defender's importance to his side, leading the backline and being an imposing figure.

The Blasters need to mount a strong run to enter the semifinals and for that, they cannot afford to lose their captain at any price.