The rise of India has been quite remarkable whether it be in the sense of global economy or the sporting world. The emergence and the rise of the Indian Premier league has been quite phenomenal. The IPL started as a rebel league and was initially banned by the cricketing authorities, or at least they tried to ban the tournament.
The tournaments growth though however meant the tournamnet was embraced by the same people who rejected the idea – a classic case of if you can’t beat them join them. The organisers of the Indian Super League will hope for a simliar outcome.
Just like with the Indian Premier League, the Indian Super League have adopted the same process as their IPL rivals. The Super League has a mixture of foreign stars or ‘marquee signings’ and homegrown talent.
Two young wingers who play FC Goa ( Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Desai) have been catching the attention of some observers including the youngsters’ legendary team mate Robert Pires. Pires who is a former World Cup winner with his native France and who was a part of the legendary Arsenal team of 2004 expects big things from the pair.
Pires said ” It is not easy to play on the flanks. I know, because I’ve played on the left for a very long time, they are both young. With Romeo and Mandar , Goa and Dempo have a bright future”.
On the back of that glowing endorsement we take a look to see if the the homegrown players of the Indian Super league do have a future in Europe and maybe even the English premier league. If the success of the Indian premier league is anything to go by then you would think yes.
In the IPL alot of Indian players have built their reputations from the tournament, Chatheshwar Pujara for example. The right- hander played for Derbyshire, I think that was on the back of the IPL. In Pujara’s case although the 23 year old has excelled on the international scene. Hopefully the ISL can have this effect on some of India’s brightest football talents.
If you have a look at the MLS in America (Major League Soccer) for example, they’re starting to attract players to the English premier league. Players like Geoff Cameron of Stoke City for example and not to forget to mention players such as Clint Dempsey formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham and current Everton goalkeeper formerly of Manchester United.
With such an endorsement from such a player (Robert Pires) Fernandes and Desai could be the ‘real deal’ and break through into Europe. Just like with any youngsters we need to be realistic and not put to much pressure on these boys.
It’s not very well documented but there are not many English talents in Europe if any. India as well all know is a ‘sports mad nation’ . The Indian’s have produced good sporting talent in the past (Tendaulkar and Kohli for example) do I need to say anymore?
As they say in life , ‘somethings just take time’. That’s most definitely the case in regards to Indian footballers for the future.
The Bearded Captain 