5 Young Players who shined in the Kerala Blasters FC shirt over the years

Kerala Blasters FC has always been a motivation to many young players in the country. The team has given sufficient priority in offering chances to the young guns.

A number of players have spent a reasonable amount of time on the ISL pitch in the Blasters shirt.

The very first ISL season under David James took Blasters to the final, thanks to the contribution of many fresh legs.

Even when the club was in their relatively poor seasons, the managers who came and went continued experimenting the players with potential. Terry Phelan, Steve Coppell, Rene Meulensteen were all supportive to the local boys.

The ongoing 2018-19 season has seen even more opportunities knock on the doors of youngsters in India. The U-17 World Cup of 2017 helped the managers get a better view of the hidden talents and offer them ISL berths.

David James was very fast getting this to use, signing players like Dheeraj Singh and Mohammed Rakip. Other clubs too have brought young players like Komal Thatal (ATK) to their camps.

Still, a lot of players remain to be identified and brought to the limelight. Indian football is in the shadow of hope ISL has offered and believes all gifted players will be molded into future stars.

Here, we take a look at five young players who made or are making good use of the time they are spending in the yellow jersey.

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#5 Dheeraj Singh

The name Dheeraj Singh is familiar to most football fans in India. The young goalkeeper rose to fame during the U-17 World Cup which India hosted. Dheeraj was spectacular under the bars for the team and even got appreciation from abroad.

Soon after the tournament concluded, the 18-year old went on trials to Scottish Premier League club, Motherwell FC. However, he could not make a deal with the club due to the work permit issues he faced.

This was when Kerala Blasters came into the scene, offering the young boy a contract, which succeeded. Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem was seen at the Blasters goal during the LaLiga World and then in the first two matches of Blasters this season.

Though it is early to say that the custodian has shone in the Blasters shirts, he hasn't disappointed on the occasions he was picked.

From the two matches, he kept one clean sheet and made six saves. Dheeraj has faced 19 shots in ISL but has responded way better than expectations from an 18-year old.

The Manipur-born has pulled off some eye-raising saves which is an indication of what is yet to come. Overall, Dheeraj has shown good discipline and composure at the custodian position of Blasters so far.

#4 Prasanth K

Prasanth K is a local boy who has been performing to the standards in the Blasters colours. The Keralite first came to the Blasters squad in 2016, but couldn't make even a single appearance.

Later, in the 2017-18 season, Prasanth made his ISL debut in the opening match against ATK.

David James was appointed the manager mid-season after Rene Meulensteen parted ways with the club.

This was a key time at Prasanth's career in Blasters. Under Meulensteen, the midfielder was given four games. However, after David James came, his young legs were regularly seen on the wings of Blasters.

He played 10 matches last season providing one assist. Prasanth also did his part in defence, making 11 tackles and seven clearances.

He was noticed for his ability to make quick and dangerous runs through the wings, which is a tactic well used in the Blasters camp.

Being a good name in James' books, the 21-year old can be seen further taking the field for Kerala Blasters and is sure to be part of the English manager's long-term plans.

#3 Siam Hanghal

Siam Hanghal might not be a name many would expect in the list, but needs to be included for his work has always been overshadowed by others. Hanghal was an unsung hero at the Kerala Blasters midfield during the 2017-18 season, when he was aged 24.

Being another Manipur player in Blasters, he made it to Kerala after seasons with NorthEast United and Chennaiyin FC.

Though he was not given too much time at the club, he made a fare share of contribution at the midfield.

From the eight matches he featured for Kerala Blasters, Hanghal made one assist along with 166 passes.

For most of the time, he was present as a central midfielder or a holding midfielder. His contributions on the defensive part include 25 tackles, eight interceptions and five clearances.

Siam Hanghal's time at Blasters is not rated high by numbers, but by the time they came. He was on level when the team needed the most or when the defence was lacking the combativeness that was required.

But still, Hanghal had limited opportunity due to the tight competition to his spot from co-players like Milan Singh, Arata Izumi and Loken Meitei.

#2 Lalruatthara

This is a name that should never be missed on this list. Lalruatthara is not only a young player who shined in the Blasters shirt but one of the best debutants of ISL. He made his move to Kerala Blasters in the 2017-18 season after a stint with Aizwal FC in I-League.

After arriving at Blasters, he was a regular starter at the left-back position and became a headache for the opposition forwards to deal with.

The 23-year old's comparatively weaker physique never let any player of the opposite team get past him. Lalrutthara showcased excellent dedication throughout the season and developed his play with each game passed by.

The Mizoram-based player played 17 games and made 14 interceptions, 59 clearances and 22 blocks. Apart from this, he made 85 tackles, most by any Indian player. This consistency won him the Emerging player of the tournament award, a well-deserved one.

Lalruatthara is still seen regularly at the very same left-back position and has been delivering to the expectations in the new season too.

#1 Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan is undoubtedly the best Indian youngster to play the Indian Super League. Jhingan from his stopper back position of Kerala Blasters in 2014 has now reached the Indian national team captain position.

He has remained a solid rock at the Blasters defence all through the five seasons and is now a regular at the national senior team.

In 2014, he was a 21-year-old defender, not well known in the national football circuit. But today, things have taken a big turn.

Sandesh Jhingan joined Blasters and was given a chance at the defence in the second match of the season.

The outstanding performance that season earned him the title of first ISL Emerging player. He made 14 appearances in 2014, pulling off 42 tackles. But the performance was not limited to the first season.

Jhingan remained the same tough stopper back always and was part of every manager's plan. He was not troubled by any star player that came and went by the ISL. As seasons passed by, Jhingan got matured enough to wear the captain's armband.

The Chandigarh-born player has so far appeared for Blasters in 61 ISL matches where he made 156 tackles, 77 interceptions and 408 clearances - most by an Indian player.

Sandesh Jhingan has turned out to be the pillar at defence both for club and country and is sure to remain at the same spot in the years to come.