Last year, in Bikash Yumnam, an Indian youngster was presented in the TM Talents Calendar for the first time. Twelve months later, the centre-back is followed by a former teammate: Himanshu Jangra. In 2016, the now 17-year-old centre-forward impressed on trial and was offered a place in the U16 team of Minerva Punjab in Chandigarh for the 2018/19 season, competing in the Hero Junior League. Just as for Yumnam, the path to a place on the Guardian list of the world’s 50 biggest talents began there.
Jangra made seven appearances for Punjab’s U16s in his first year and was instrumental in winning the title, scoring nine goals. The very next year, he moved on to the U18s and partly to the first team, which plays in the second-tier I-League. At the age of 15 years, five months and 20 days, he made his debut against Real Kashmir in a 1-1 draw – the youngest player in the club’s recent history. He was a regular until the Covid-related termination in March 2020, playing five matches for 287 minutes. Jangra also made a name for himself at national team level: In late 2019, he and his team won the gold medal at the U15 South Asian Championship and he was named the tournament’s best player.
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Via a comparatively uneventful stint at Mohammedan SC, Jangra’s path led to the newly formed Techtro Swades United FC at the end of 2020. In what was a short debut season due to Covid, the attacker immediately became top scorer with five goals in four matches. After another brief spell with the U21s of former club Minerva Academy FC, things really got underway for the talent.
Several clubs from the Indian Super League – the country’s top division – were in the running for Jangra’s services, but in the end none of them got the nod, mainly because of one person. Ranjit Baljit is the owner of both Minerva Academy (formerly Minerva Punjab and Punjab FC) and Delhi FC, and also a partner of Techtro Swades. According to a report by IFTWC, it was him who prohibited Jangra from moving to a different club and instead he went to Dehli FC.
Indian Super League All info in one place Click here for overview “Himanshu Jangra has offers of multiple years with a promise of being a regular starter in the later years. The clubs are interested for a long time, but an unusual stubbornness from the player’s parent club is blocking the deals, which, if otherwise, could turn out to be fruitful for the youngster. The clubs that have approached has high regards for the player’s talent but disappointed with the conduct of the parent club,” a named source from one of the clubs is quoted as saying in the report.
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That Kluiverth Aguilar would move to Europe was already certain last year. Signed by Manchester City, the right-back is currently under contract at Lommel SK, which also is part of the City Group.
For Xavi Simons the last season was a mixed back. First close to the first team, the talented attacking midfielder has been ignored by Mauricio Pochettino and is currently considering a transfer to another club.
Mexiko, Canada or England: For now Marcelo Flores the talented midfielder has opted for Mexico’s U20 but it is expected that Flores will await a final decision as Canada remains in the mix to secure the services of the 18-year-old.
Hannibal Mejbri is the third player in the calendar to switch national teams. Previously with France, the Man United talent has since made the switch to Tunisia.
Not surprising Caden Clark will join RB Leipzig this winter. This year the 18-year-old played his first full season with New York Red Bulls with whom he was eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
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Yusuf Demir has fulfilled his wish and joined FC Barcelona where he has already made his debut for the first team.
Although he has yet to make the step into the top division, Jangra is already being hailed as a potential successor to Sunil Chhetri, who was one of the few Indian footballers to take the step to Europe in 2012, but failed to make it there and remained without a first team appearance. Like Yumnam, the attacker is preparing to become the first Indian ever to play in one of Europe’s top leagues.
From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2004. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.
