Kerala Blasters bag a proven ‘hitman’

Kerala Blasters fans have been holding firm, their disagreement to the management’s ‘lack of ambition’, especially in the business of player signings could been seen on the stands since December last year.

The club finishing ninth despite changing their coach midseason, with the appointment of Nelo Vingada replacing David James, and the usual uncertainty over what could be in store, had not given much hope for the fans of the two-time Indian Super League finalists.

Eelco Schattorie’s arrival as the new head coach, fresh on the heels of his impressive debut ISL season, in which he guided the NorthEast United to their maiden semifinals, and the subsequent player arrivals have signalled an unprecedented change in mood that holds the possibility of luring the Blasters’ fans to the multi-coloured seats of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi when season-six begins later this year.

After making Spanish midfielder Mario Arques from Jamshedpur FC their first signing under Schattorie, the club has done something unprecedented – adding a striker with a proven history in the league – as they announced 34-year-old Bartholomew Ogbeche from the manager’s former side.

The Nigerian was tied second with Mumbai City’s Modou Sougou, behind golden-boot winner Ferran Corominas, in the leading goalscorer’s charts last year. He netted 12 goals from 18 appearances and has been referred to as “an extension for the coach into the field” by Schattorie.

“I would like to welcome Bart Ogbeche to our team,” Schattorie said in a video message from his vacation in the Netherlands.

“He was last year with me at NorthEast, the leader of our team.

“Hopefully he can do the same things for us because his qualities are fantastic; as a goalscorer there is huge pressure to bring us goals in Kerala but most importantly his qualities speak for itself, he is a great personality and I’m very very happy that we have him onboard because he is an extension for the coach into the field,” Schattorie said.

The well-travelled footballer who turned out for Paris Saint-Germain, Real Valladolid and Middlesbrough between stints in Abu Dhabi and Holland has shared his manager’s vision of a ‘fantastic season’. “I’m delighted to be part of the KBFC family and I’m positive we’ll achieve great things together with the massive support of our fans. Can’t wait to get started,” Ogbeche said.