Kerala Blasters FC Captain Jessel Carneiro Joins Arch-Rivals Bengaluru FC on a Two-Year Contract

Indian Super League (ISL) fans were taken aback by the news of Kerala Blasters FC captain Jessel Carneiro‘s departure to arch-rivals Bengaluru FC on a two-year contract with the possibility of extension. The left-back had been with Kerala Blasters since 2019, where he made an immediate impact by playing every minute of his debut season and was eventually promoted to vice-captain.

He went on to captain the team in the 2020-2021 season and was appointed permanent captain before the 2021-2022 season. However, Carneiro’s contract with Kerala Blasters ends next month, and he opted to join Bengaluru FC instead of extending his stay with the Blasters.

Here are some key details to know about Jessel Carneiro’s move to Bengaluru FC:

Reason for the Move

According to sources, Kerala Blasters FC were interested in extending Jessel Carneiro’s contract, but the club offered only a one-year deal. On the other hand, Bengaluru FC coach Simon Grayson was keen on signing the experienced defender and offered him a two-year contract with the possibility of extension. Given the length of the contract and Bengaluru’s interest in him, Carneiro chose to move to the Blues.

Carneiro’s Experience

Jessel Carneiro has played for various football clubs in India, including Dempo Sports Club and Pune FC, before joining Kerala Blasters FC in 2019. He was a reliable player for the team, making 63 appearances in total. He also captained the Goan football team to a semi-final finish in the 2018-2019 Santosh Trophy.

Bengaluru’s Need for Full-Back Options

Bengaluru FC has been looking to strengthen their defensive options, particularly in the full-back position. Namgyal Bhutia is still relatively young, while Parag Shrivas has yet to make a significant impact in guarding the flanks. With Carneiro’s arrival, the Blues now have a steady fallback option if Naorem Roshan Singh is not at his best or is nursing an injury.

Carneiro’s Final Game for Kerala Blasters

Jessel Carneiro’s final game for Kerala Blasters FC was against Bengaluru FC in the controversial ISL 2022-2023 Eliminator. Kerala Blasters walked off in protest following an early free-kick that led to them conceding. The left-back played 76 minutes during the game and was replaced by Ayush Adhikari.

Jessel Carneiro’s move to Bengaluru FC marks a significant transfer between two of the Indian Super League’s most prominent clubs. Kerala Blasters FC will need to find a replacement for their former captain, while Bengaluru FC’s defensive system has now been bolstered with the addition of an experienced full-back.

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