With Kerala Blasters FC looking to revamp and rebuild their squad under Kibu Vicuña, after 3 seasons of misfortunes and injuries, the Kerala Blasters FC gaffer is also known for his extensive usage of his young players.
As he himself has expressed his excitement in having Rahul KP, Nongdamba Naorem in the squad during several instances, it is of no doubt that he’ll look to use these players extensively with the kind of versatility these players possess.
The team has Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Givson Singh Moirangthem, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Kenstar Kharshong, Muheet Shabir Khan, Gotimayum Muktasana, Ayush Adhikari as well.
Rahul Kannoly Praveen is an adroit player all around the field. The player has played as both right back and striker for the Indian Arrows and played as both winger and midfielder for Kerala Blasters FC in the 2019-20 season of the Hero Indian Super League. He was also recorded as the fastest player down the flanks in the previous season and it is of no doubt that the World Cup player will be of great use for the tactician.
Nongdamba Naorem, a winger who has proved himself from Mohun Bagan under Kibu Vicuña in the Hero Indian League 2019-20 scoring two goals for them. He was in the Kerala Blasters FC reserves team and went on loan to Mohun Bagan. Now being back to his former team, also under whom he was successful in the previous season, the coach will look to use the player extensively and the coach had some words of praise for the player – “Nongdamba Naorem is a different player. He is intelligent, smart, and technically sound.”
Jeakson Singh, a multifaceted central defensive midfielder who has marked his presence in the field in 2019-20 season of the Hero Indian Super League, is best known for scoring India’s first ever goal in a FIFA tournament in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup against Colombia. He is tactically sound in the central defense yet an attack minded player. With the impact he was able to produce during his stint with Kerala Blasters FC in the previous season, Kibu Vicuña will be highly looking forward to use this player to control the hub of the field.
Prabhsukhan Gill, an AIFF Elite Academy Product, is a talented goalkeeper who has represented the Under-17 Indian National Football Team in the FIFA World Cup. He was the number 2 goalkeeper for the side, behind a former Blasters player Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem. Later on he represented the India U-20 National Team that defeated the six time world champions Argentina U-20 2-1 where Gill played a crucial role by making two important saves for the team.
Givson Singh is a forward player who has represented the Indian Arrows in the 2019-20 season of the Hero I-League. He scored two goals for them in 16 appearances and has represented India in the U-16, U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels in the AFC Championship held in Malaysia and in the international friendlies against Russia.
Naorem Mahesh Singh, a forward, and Kenstar Kharshong, a centre back, are both players who have represented Shillong Lajong in the Hero I-League and got into the Kerala Blasters FC senior team after getting into the reserves team of the same club.
Naorem Mahesh Singh has managed to bag 16 goals in 20 appearances during his stint in Shillong Lajong. And Kenstar Kharshong rose to prominence by winning the U-18 I-League with Lajong’s youth team in 2017. He has over 30 appearances with Shillong Lajong and Kerala Blasters FC reserves team. Kenstar Kharshong was given a multi-year deal under an undisclosed fee to secure the transfer.
Muheet Shabir is a goalkeeper and he was recognised as one of the top goalkeepers of Jammu and Kashmir. The player has represented J&K in several nationals under Iqbal Sports.“I have worked hard to secure my place in first team for this seasons ISL. However, the work is still half done as there is lot of competition in the team for the goalkeeper spot. There are already three top level keepers in our side and I have to fight for my place with them,” the player said to Greater Kashmir.
Gotimayum Muktasana is a talented midfielder who played for Kerala Blasters FC reserves team in the I-League 2nd Division and has also represented the U-16 and U-18 categories for Neroca FC. The player has now signed for the first team.
Ayush Adhikari is a promising midfielder who has represented the Ozone team, Indian Arrows and Kerala Blasters FC reserves. Ayush was the top scorer of the 2018-19 Santosh Trophy with 6 goals. He made his I-League professional debut in the 2019-20 season.
With all these prodigies making it into the Kerala Blasters FC first team, the tactician, Kibu Vicuña, will be looking forward very well to use them extensively in his goal to be triumphant.
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