Indian footballer credits Bhaichung Bhutia for his career

Indian footballer: Indian football may have some heroes but is yet to find its place in the international arena. As it slowly looks to balance out a team for upcoming competitions. One of the most reliable players presently in the team is Sandesh Jhingan.

Jhingan also plays for one of the most popular clubs ATK Mohun Baganin the Indian Super League in his recent interview said that he was transformed from a ‘street footballer’ to where he is right now due to the great footballer Bhaiching Bhutia. 

While speaking to Hindustan Times, Jhingan recalled his starting days and his struggles as he talked about the break he got in 2011 at the United Sikkim team when he played for the I-league second division. 

Indian defender said, “I was lean and my style was very rash. Then Bhaichung Bhutia randomly rang me and said they wanted to see more of me (in United Sikkim). That was the turning point.”

He further added that he had to give several trials in a span of two months and it was Bhutia who agreed to sign me in his team. The inputs suggested by Bhaichung Bhutia, who he fondly refers to as ‘Bhai’ said that he gave very basic advice but they made a great deal of difference.

The footballer never had it easy in his life. He was unsuccessful in trials with Kolkata clubs before for a long time and he was called to the north eastern India state by Bhutia himself, who was then the owner of the United Sikkim Club.  

I always credit him – agreed (to sign me). Those inputs Bhaichung “bhai” gave me – very basic things like don’t let the ball drop – were massive because I never had an academy background; I was a street footballer,” he said.

He was later picked by one of the most successful ISL teams Kerala Blasters in the ISL in 2014. His phenomenal performance was followed by his selection in the national team and the 27-year-old footballer since then has earned 36 caps with the team. He was in September signed by the Kolkata club for a 5-year contract. 

Indian footballer was recently acknowledged for his heroics by another prime defender, Adil Khan. Khan asserted that it is because of the experience of the duo of goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and stopper sandesh Jhingan that has led to building a strong defense unit.