Made in Mumbai, bred in Chennai, Chennaiyin FC's Jayesh Rane primed for an emotional roller-coaster

Youngster Jayesh Rane has made an impressive start for Chennaiyin FC(Picture courtesy ISL)

Jayesh Rane is a name which is slowly making its way into various households of the country as the Mumbai-born Chennaiyin FC forward is making his mark on Indian Football’s greatest footballing festival that the Hero Indian Super League is. Having earned the faith of his manager, Marco Materazzi, Rane impressed in his first start of the season for Chennaiyin, as they ripped apart FC Goa on their own patch.

Moving up the western coastline, Chennaiyin FC’s next test comes in Mumbai as they prepare to take on Nicolas Anelka’s Mumbai City FC. With Jayesh Rane set for another start in Chennaiyin colours, the youngster, who is fast earning a reputation for himself in the Indian footballing fraternity, is primed for an experience which has so far evaded him.

Jayesh Rane came through the ranks to play for Mumbai’s biggest club Mumbai FC and has been representing the club for the past three years. It will be fair to say that it’s the city of Mumbai that has made the footballer in Jayesh Rane, but today it’s the same city which might dread its own creation.

But off the field, Jayesh Rane is a huge fan favorite in these parts of the country and has attracted a large fan base in the city which flaunts Rane’s banners and sings his name with great pride every time he takes to the field playing for Mumbai FC.

Jayesh Rane who famously clicks a selfie with his fans after every game in Mumbai, might not get the opportunity this time around after being tasked with plotting the downfall of a team which is adored by the city. It promises to be an emotional roller-coaster for Jayesh Rane who will have to put all his wits to quieten that home crowd which otherwise fuelled him to greatness.

But the 22-year-old is confident that the crowd won’t turn on him and instead expects to slightly alter their loyalties towards him on the pitch.

“I’m looking forward to play as it is my hometown. So far in away matches the crowds have been against us, but today I know I will get plenty of support from the Mumbaikars,” revealed Jayesh Rane, who has spoken about his return to Mumbai at the pre-match press conference in Mumbai.

The Chennaiyin FC forward, who was awarded the emerging player of the match in Goa, isn’t letting emotion get in the way of his job and is completely focused on helping Chennaiyin FC get the three points from today’s encounter. “I am not thinking of anything else apart from getting the three points for my team. Personal awards don’t matter if we don’t win the game, so all my focus is on winning the game,” said Rane.

Manager Materazzi heaps praise on Rane

Jayesh was given a major boost prior to this emotional game in Mumbai, as coach Marco Materazzi heaped praise on him and termed his attitude as ‘European’ as he spoke at length about Jayesh Rane’s value to the team at the pre-match press conference in Mumbai.

“Jayesh was one of the first players we retained from season one and we are glad to have someone with such a great potential. His attitude is very European. He always works hard and wants to improve his game. From the mentality perspective, Jayesh is perfect and that will help him to become a top player and also make a great impact for the national team,” said the Italian.

The game against Mumbai City FC will be a testimony of Jayesh Rane’s temperament on the field and being an emerging player from Mumbai, the football lovers in the city will be hoping he comes good in the ISL and starts knocking on the doors of the Indian national team.

For all the talent this emerging player has at his disposal, it will be games like these that will truly determine his credentials as a player. So for Mumbai’s and India’s sake, the Mumbaikars could be excused to cheer for him and set aside their club loyalty for a game.