Chennaiyin FC, hailing from the southern region, is currently engaged in extensive negotiations with 22-year-old midfielder Jitendra Singh, according to confirmed reports.
Despite attracting attention from various Indian Super League clubs, the adaptable player has reached an agreement with the team led by Owen Coyle.
Jitendra Singh: From Emerging Talent to Seasoned Performer
Jitendra’s journey in football so far has been notable. A product of the AIFF Elite Academy and originating from West Bengal, he gained prominence during the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 held in India. He made appearances in two matches and was substituted into another during the tournament, marking his entry into the footballing spotlight.
Primarily recognized as a defensive midfielder, Jitendra demonstrates versatility by excelling in both central midfield and center-back roles. His impressive passing accuracy and strong tackling abilities underscore his defensive capabilities, while his skill in delivering precise long balls showcases his attacking prowess.
Starting his professional career with the Indian Arrows, where he played for two seasons across the I-League and Super Cup, Jitendra’s potential caught the attention of Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League. Under the guidance of coach Antonio Iriondo, he made his ISL debut against FC Goa in 2019. Since then, he has been a consistent performer for Jamshedpur FC, participating in four seasons and clinching the Indian Super League shield in 2022 under Owen Coyle’s management.
With 68 appearances, including one goal and an assist, for The Red Miners, Jitendra’s return to Chennaiyin FC under Owen Coyle’s leadership signals a potentially transformative phase in his career. As a young talent with promising prospects, this move provides an opportunity for him to embark on a new journey and further refine his skills in the realm of football.
Chennaiyin FC Makes History with Third Consecutive Comeback Win in ISL
Chennaiyin FC’s head coach, Owen Coyle, expressed satisfaction as his team clinched another comeback victory in the Indian Super League (ISL) against NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.
With both teams vying to remain in the playoff contention, the match started with positive intent from both ends, resulting in an intense first half where neither team managed to score.
In the 49th minute, the visitors surprised the Chennaiyin FC defense by netting the opening goal through Jithin MS. Undeterred, Chennaiyin FC persevered in the second half and eventually leveled the score with a remarkable goal from full-back Aakash Sangwan, securing a draw through a set-piece.
As everyone anticipated a draw at the Marina Arena, Ankit Mukherjee, a full-back, shattered expectations by scoring the winning goal from the edge of the box during injury time, propelling Chennaiyin FC into the lead. Coyle expressed his delight at his team’s second-half comeback and provided insights from the game. The outcome propelled Chennaiyin FC to sixth place after securing their third consecutive victory.
“I knew it would be obviously a tough game. Both teams I knew would go all out to win the game. Both teams had some good chances, but we had some chances to get in front,” Coyle stated at the post-match press conference.
“Vishal (Kaith) had an unbelievable save from Jordan (Murray) in Kolkata. But that save tonight by Gurmeet Singh from Ryan Edwards in the first half with the header was probably one of the candidates for save of the season. So we certainly felt we should be in front, but we never. And then, we made a horrendous mistake (at the beginning of the second half), which can happen,” he added.
Both teams had their fair share of opportunities during the match. Chennaiyin FC managed to put seven shots on target out of a total of 17 attempts, while the Highlanders took 16 shots, with four of them finding the target.
Chennaiyin FC’s triumph marks them as the first team in the ISL to secure three consecutive comeback victories. Now, they only need to secure a point against FC Goa in their final match to solidify their spot in the playoffs.
