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ISL 2017-18: Delhi Dynamos' Shubham Sarangi Gets his call from Aspire Academy
The Indian Super League (ISL) outfit was in hopes to reap the benefits of the football know-how and management expertise the Qatar-based academy brings, when Delhi Dynamos FC signed a ground-breaking technical agreement in July last year with the famous Aspire Academy in Doha. Ever since its foundation in 2004, the predominantly shining Aspire Academy has played host to numerous top European clubs for its training facilities. It's highly sought after residential programme will now play host to a Dynamos starlet for the next four months. Shubham Sarangi who is Delhi's most recent acquisition will be making the trip to the Middle East. The 17-year-old forward was signed by the national capital-based outfit at the inception of the newly introduced January transfer window of the ISL. Shubham who is a native of Delhi, rose to prominence when he was selected to be a part of India's preparatory squad for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. 
Source: India Today The youngster ultimately did not make the cut for Luis Norton de Matos' final squad for the prestigious event. Shubham could only watch from far afield as his former teammates created history by becoming the first Indian side to play in any World Cup. The teenager has always dreamt about playing in Europe but when the chance came to sign for the ISL side, there was no way he could have turned it down. He told the press, 'I was approached by a few European clubs before signing for Delhi Dynamos. But I took advantage of the chance I was getting over here and realised how this would benefit me in the long run as Delhi Dynamos are providing me a huge platform and exposure second to none. From here I wish to gain more experience and become a better player and wait for better offers from Europe.' Missing out on the chance to play in a World Cup in front of his countrymen will always be a painful miss out for Shubham, but he has decided to let go off the missed chance and instead prove a better point for the chance he has been granted with. Shubham told the press, 'It was disappointing for me to not be a part of the World Cup squad but I have brushed aside the past and I am now focusing only on Delhi Dynamos and my future in ISL. I wanted to be a part of the U-17 World Cup but this is part of the game and I won't let such disappointments affect me in a negative way and instead I have only worked harder than what I did maybe three-to-four months back. I have a point to prove now.' In Miguel Angel Portugal, Shubham has a coach with a high pedigree when it comes to developing the stars of tomorrow. The former Real Madrid B team coach's possession-based brand of football is tailor-made for the young forward and he hopes to establish himself firmly in Delhi's squad by the time the next edition of the ISL comes knocking. When Shubham was asked about his experience so far with his new team-mates and coach, he told the press, 'It has been a good experience so far training under such a renowned coach who has worked with Real Madrid in the past and some experienced players like Pritam Kotal who plays in the Indian national team and captain Kalu Uche who has played the World Cup.' He continued, 'I enjoy coach Portugal's style of play which is more possession-based. I like to distribute the ball forward and even make runs into the box which is something coach Portugal also admires about my football and I am hopeful that by next season I can become a more regular name in the Delhi Dynamos team sheet." With a long-standing dream to play in Europe someday, Shubham does not have to look far for inspiration with Dynamos skipper Kalu Uche's presence in the squad. The confident forward player said, 'I really admire Kalu Uche. He has played in the senior World Cup, scored two goals as well for Nigeria. He has played in big La Liga clubs and it is my dream also to play in Europe so I get to learn a lot from him while training. We have all seen his quality on the field and off it as well he is a very humble person who is kind of enough to help others in training. It's always good to have someone with so much experience on the side.' Already been earmarked for a great future for the ISL side, the youngster is currently fully focused on his training stint with the Aspire Academy and hopes to use the experience to further his football development. Regarding his expectations from the short-span at the academy Shubham told the media, 'It's a great opportunity for me to go to Aspire and train there for four months. They have some of the best facilities in the world and are renowned for their coaching and training-centres. I have been working closely with coaches from Aspire who have come to Delhi Dynamos and I know the style of football that I will be taught in Qatar so I am hoping it will not be difficult for me to adjust there.' He added, 'It's a good learning opportunity and I want to make the most of this chance because not many Indian players get a chance to spend such long time in these facilities and under the guidance of such renowned coaches.' Now, let us all leave it to time to prove whether Shubham too has a star-lit future. For now, the signs are bright and the Aspire Academy period will only increase the abundant potential he has displayed until now.
Source: India Today The youngster ultimately did not make the cut for Luis Norton de Matos' final squad for the prestigious event. Shubham could only watch from far afield as his former teammates created history by becoming the first Indian side to play in any World Cup. The teenager has always dreamt about playing in Europe but when the chance came to sign for the ISL side, there was no way he could have turned it down. He told the press, 'I was approached by a few European clubs before signing for Delhi Dynamos. But I took advantage of the chance I was getting over here and realised how this would benefit me in the long run as Delhi Dynamos are providing me a huge platform and exposure second to none. From here I wish to gain more experience and become a better player and wait for better offers from Europe.' Missing out on the chance to play in a World Cup in front of his countrymen will always be a painful miss out for Shubham, but he has decided to let go off the missed chance and instead prove a better point for the chance he has been granted with. Shubham told the press, 'It was disappointing for me to not be a part of the World Cup squad but I have brushed aside the past and I am now focusing only on Delhi Dynamos and my future in ISL. I wanted to be a part of the U-17 World Cup but this is part of the game and I won't let such disappointments affect me in a negative way and instead I have only worked harder than what I did maybe three-to-four months back. I have a point to prove now.' In Miguel Angel Portugal, Shubham has a coach with a high pedigree when it comes to developing the stars of tomorrow. The former Real Madrid B team coach's possession-based brand of football is tailor-made for the young forward and he hopes to establish himself firmly in Delhi's squad by the time the next edition of the ISL comes knocking. When Shubham was asked about his experience so far with his new team-mates and coach, he told the press, 'It has been a good experience so far training under such a renowned coach who has worked with Real Madrid in the past and some experienced players like Pritam Kotal who plays in the Indian national team and captain Kalu Uche who has played the World Cup.' He continued, 'I enjoy coach Portugal's style of play which is more possession-based. I like to distribute the ball forward and even make runs into the box which is something coach Portugal also admires about my football and I am hopeful that by next season I can become a more regular name in the Delhi Dynamos team sheet." With a long-standing dream to play in Europe someday, Shubham does not have to look far for inspiration with Dynamos skipper Kalu Uche's presence in the squad. The confident forward player said, 'I really admire Kalu Uche. He has played in the senior World Cup, scored two goals as well for Nigeria. He has played in big La Liga clubs and it is my dream also to play in Europe so I get to learn a lot from him while training. We have all seen his quality on the field and off it as well he is a very humble person who is kind of enough to help others in training. It's always good to have someone with so much experience on the side.' Already been earmarked for a great future for the ISL side, the youngster is currently fully focused on his training stint with the Aspire Academy and hopes to use the experience to further his football development. Regarding his expectations from the short-span at the academy Shubham told the media, 'It's a great opportunity for me to go to Aspire and train there for four months. They have some of the best facilities in the world and are renowned for their coaching and training-centres. I have been working closely with coaches from Aspire who have come to Delhi Dynamos and I know the style of football that I will be taught in Qatar so I am hoping it will not be difficult for me to adjust there.' He added, 'It's a good learning opportunity and I want to make the most of this chance because not many Indian players get a chance to spend such long time in these facilities and under the guidance of such renowned coaches.' Now, let us all leave it to time to prove whether Shubham too has a star-lit future. For now, the signs are bright and the Aspire Academy period will only increase the abundant potential he has displayed until now.Next Story
