I-LEAGUE Media Team

NEW DELHI: According to Dempo SC gaffer Arthur Papas, the success of a Club depends upon how well the youngsters mix with the experienced players. If the blending happens successfully, the team chemistry improves as a whole, and the morale stays high.

The key is always how these youngsters perform and contribute for the team as a whole.

The upcoming I-League season 2014/15 will see the following young guns ply their trade for Dempo, and Arthur personally have comments reserved for each of them.

Uttam Rai

Position - Forward

Date of birth - December 20, 1996

Place of birth - Sikkim, India

Overview - Uttam was a part of the AIFF U-19 Elite Academy based in Goa. He recently returned from an impressive stint with English Championship side Reading Football Club, wherein he scored four goals for Reading FC’s development side during a series of friendly matches.

Prior to his time in England, Uttam spent six months with the Colorado Rush Academy in the USA and also trained with MLS side, Chicago Fire. A product of the Namchi Football Academy in Sikkim, Uttam trained at the IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Florida between 2010 and 2012.

Coach speak - “Uttam is a new addition to our senior squad this season and is very versatile attacking player. Although small in stature, he has great strength in the air as well as blistering speed combined with poise in and around the box.

"Uttam still need to improve on his overall game insight and positional play but comes with a strong work ethic, humility and desire to improve. So, he should develop nicely over the next couple of seasons.”

Pronay Halder

Position - Midfielder

Date of birth - February 25, 1993

Place of birth - West Bengal, India

Overview - Regarded as one of India’s upcoming midfielders, Pronay's primary position is of a defensive midfielder but he can also play as a playmaker.

Coach speak - “Pronay is a player that has matured tremendously since I began coaching him over two years ago. He has a great desire, immense physical capabilities and is now more and more understanding the tactical nature of his game and how to use his particular characteristics to influence matches.

‘If he continues on this trajectory I expect him to be a Senior National Team midfielder in the not too distant future.”

Deryl Endro

Position - Midfielder

Age - 19

Place of birth - Goa, India

Overview - Son of a former footballer from Margao, Deryl has stood up a
nd showed that he has the technical quality and tactical insight to develop into a very good holding midfielder.

Coach speak - “His main strength lies in the way he utilises the ball and rarely gives it away as well as his ability to read the game.

“He is a very aggressive player once he crosses the white line and he becomes a different proposition all together. We are so happy with the progress of Deryl in the past 12 months and expect him to establish a long career for Dempo SC."

Sahil Tavora 

Position - Midfielder
 

Age - 18

Place of birth - Goa, India

Overview - The Panjim-based player is one of the upcoming talents in the Dempo Squad. Arthur Papas spotted Sahil last season after watching him playing in the Goa League. According to Papas, he is a technically proficient footballer who operates as a box to box midfielder with an ability to score goals when arriving late into the box.

Coach speak - “Sahil needs a consistent period of training with the first team without interruption to begin to push for a starting position, providing this happens I am very confident in his abilities to break into the team in the not too distant future.

Another great character in our group and shows a real desire to forge a successful career.”

Vinit Rai Chamling

Position - Midfielder

Age - 17

Place of birth - Assam, India

Overview - Arthur Papas signed Vinit Rai from Tata Football Academy after watching him in a trial match last season in Goa. He is the youngest first team squad member but has already shown that he possesses a big personality.

Coach speak - “Vinit is a very cultured midfielder with a great range of passing. He has a willingness to always want the ball and link the play between the defensive and forward lines.

There are many areas to his game which will improve now that he is involved in our first team squad and with the correct attitude and dedication his potential is very high."