ISL 2021-22: The January transfer window in the Indian Super League is a chance for the clubs to iron out their issues and bring in some reinforcement to address the problems. Similarly, it is also a period where players need to think about their situation at their current clubs. The winter transfer window is generally a second chance for both the clubs and the players to rectify their current situation which is nowhere close to satisfactory. Follow ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
The Indian Super League is nowhere close to a marathon league and coaches are more focused on winning matches to take their teams to the playoffs, win titles etc. They don’t have that time or freedom to nurture youngsters. While things are changing in India with new coaches coming in. But still, there are a few players in January who feel that they could be helping themselves by making a move.
Which player do you want your club to sign in the transfer window? 👀#HeroISL #LetsFootball
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 1, 2022
Here are five Indian Super League players who desperately need to move away from their club to gain more gametime which they thoroughly deserve.
Givson Singh (Midfielder, Kerala Blasters)
One of the most talented players to come out of the recent Indian Arrows setup, Givson Singh deserves a lot more limelight at the top league. The young midfielder who is known for his close control, eye for picking passes and ball progression has not got enough gametime to prove his mettle in a congested Kerala Blasters team.
Therefore a move to the I-League or an Indian Super League team where he will get more game time. It will help in his overall development as a player. A loan move is something that he should look for as he is not getting anywhere by occupying a seat in the Blasters dugout. A star performer for India U-16 that reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship in Malaysia, Givson deserves more chance than what he is currently getting and a move away from the Blasters is something that he needs at this stage of his career.
Bidyashagar Singh (Forward, Bengaluru FC)
A young Indian forward who scored goals for fun in the I-League last season, Bidyashagar Singh was the hottest prospect in the summer transfer window. The youngster was finally snapped up by Bengaluru FC and given their track record of developing young talents a lot of people thought it was the right move for the young forward from Manipur to gradually rise up the ranks in the ISL.
However, Bidyashagar Singh has only featured for a single minute despite Bengaluru FC’s poor run of form this season. The Blues have been pretty woeful in attack apart from Cleiton Silva.
Therefore trying out someone like a Bidyashagar could have been a gamechanger for the Blues.
The 23-year-old finished on a high last season when he won the I-League Golden boot scoring 12 goals. He broke all the records in the league and topped the charts even when there were seasoned campaigners like Luka Majcen, Dennis Antwi, Pedro Manzi etc. The former East Bengal forward is known for his blistering pace and his ability to run past defenders at will. There is no reason a talent like Bidyashagar should warm the bench, so a move to a team where he will get regular gametime will be feasible for the youngster’s overall development.
Deepak Devrani (Defender, Chennaiyin FC)
After a couple of young players, we shift our focus to a seasoned campaign who has proven himself multiple times in Indian football and yet Deepak Devrani is struggling to make a place in the starting eleven. Devrani who has won the I-League thrice with three different teams came to the ISL after playing an integral role for Gokulam Kerala in their maiden I-League quest.
When he joined many Chennaiyin fans thought he will be the first choice for head coach Bozidar Bandovic, given his ability to cover up ground quickly and also being a decent passer he had the edge over other defenders in the team. But surprisingly Bandovic went with the more experienced Narayan Das. Despite defensive errors, Bandovic has never shown signs of bringing in Devrani as Narayan’s replacement. In fact, he signed Mohammed Sajid Dhot from Odisha FC in the January window to solidify the backline. So there is clearly no trust left between the head coach and the player and hence a talent like Deepak Devrani should move on and find a team where he will get to play.
Sumit Rathi (Defender, ATK Mohun Bagan)
The merger changed Sumit Rathi’s fate completely. Before the merger, he was in sensational form and was one of the stars of that ATK team that won the ISL title. Rathi for his consistent performances in defence won the emerging player award. But since then things went downhill. Antonio Habas signed new defenders to bolster the backline. Players like Sandesh Jhingan, Ashutosh Mehta, Subhasish Bose all came in and Sumit Rathi’s minutes gradually got divided amongst more experienced players.
Rathi who was once lauded by Habas for his game reading and movement in defence is now restricted to the ATK Mohun Bagan reserve bench. A talent who has already proven his mettle at this level needs to get more gametime. For what Rathi needs to move out of the club, at least on a loan where he can continue his growth as a player. A player of his age needs to play and only then they will improve. Similarly, Rathi’s career has come to a standstill and a move out of ATK Mohun Bagan will help him resurrect his career.
Lenny Rodrigues (Midfielder, ATK Mohun Bagan)
One of India’s most underrated footballers in club and country, Lenny Rodrigues has everything that is needed in an ideal centre midfielder. He is a crisp passer, has that physicality to wrestle opponents for possession. He is very mature and knows how to control the tempo of the game. He is also a very good defensive midfielder. But still, he has not been able to make a breakthrough in the ATK Mohun Bagan starting eleven. Coaches have picked Carl McHugh and combined him alongside a heavy tackler in Deepak Tangri. The combination till now has worked like a charm for the Mariners.
However, Tangri is still young and far from a finished product. The youngster lacks the finesse that Lenny brings to the team. But things have not worked out well for the Goan midfielder and it’s high time for him to move on. He is just too good a player to warm the bench. Once known for his tireless approach of being everywhere on the ground Lenny is now just sitting in the dugout and cheering for his teammates. This January transfer window is Lenny’s best opportunity to reach a middle ground with the Green and Maroons and leave for a team where he will get regular gametime.
Editors pick
