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After a fighting performance in the FIFA U17 World Cup which won raving plaudits from all corners, the Indian U17 side now faces some tough questions on their future. A tug of war is currently ensued between the top clubs in the country and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to secure the future of these young Blues.
With the Indian governing body claiming that it will not come in the way of players who wish to join ISL or I-League, it has come as a huge respite for the clubs that are interested in taking the teenagers on board. In this segment, we will look at the five Indian U-17 players that are likely to join top Indian clubs:
#5 Mohammad Rakip
Despite not being selected in the World Cup squad by manager Luis Norton De Matos, Rakip is still considered as a highly rated centre-back. Currently training with the AIFF academy, Rakip has received an offer from ISL giants Kerala Blasters.
The AIFF has also offered the defender a five-year deal but the offer from Kerala Blasters is three times that of the governing body. If Rakip signs for the Blasters, he will earn around 1.5 lakh rupees per month.
#4 Amarjit Singh Kiyam
India's captain at the U-17 World Cup, Amarjit Singh has caught the eyes of numerous ISL clubs with Kerala Blasters reportedly leading the race for the midfielder. Singh is a box-to-box midfielder and is considered as a future Indian international.
Blasters have reportedly made an offer of ?15 lakh per year for the captain with Amarjit set to ditch AIFF for the ISL club. The boy from northeast India led the side with authority in the U17 World Cup and is also said to be a dressing room favourite among his teammates.
#3 Komal Thatal
The golden-haired midfielder grabbed headlines during India's inaugural match against the United States of America. Thatal's mazy runs led the national team to score many crucial goals in the buildup to the competition. There were rumours that Manchester United had scouted Thatal along with some other foreign clubs.
Though a move to England might look far-fetched at the moment, Delhi Dynamos are also said to be interested in the attacking midfielder which seems to be a realistic option at the moment for Thatal.
#2 Jitendra Singh
India's trusted defender and senior member of the age-group in focus, Jitendra Singh was scouted intensively by a number of Indian clubs. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, the eternal rivals of Indian football are said to be at the forefront of signing Jitendra Singh.
Singh has been a crucial member of India's set up under De Matos and his progress will be closely monitored by AIFF and India's senior team coach, Stephen Constantine.
#1 Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem
Playing every minute for India at the U17 World Cup, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem was India's best player at the tournament, receiving a standing ovation from the Delhi crowd on one occasion. Making 16 saves in three games, Dheeraj has been linked with a number of clubs which include foreign clubs like Borussia Monchengladbach and Galatasaray.
But the most realistic option for Dheeraj at the moment is said to be with the AIFF's I-League XI or with Kerala Blasters. The Kochi based side have made an offer of ?18 lakh for the Indian U17 custodian, a deal which will see him become the highest paid teenager in the country.
