Neeraj Back
Days after passing up on Rupesh Sharma,
Djan Bacelar announced that he had brought another former academy alumnus back to the Birds.
Neeraj Muthyala's nineteenth birthday in Poland was marked by a call from Singapore, and he didn't take long to accept Bacelar's summons.
"We were heavy in midfield when Muthyala emerged, but that's changed now." Bacelar said, referencing the high-profile departures of Zhu Changchun and Woon Shun An. "That was not an environment in which a rookie could develop well, compared to today."
Neeraj's two-season stay at KS.Bratos ultimately cost Grilled S$1.3 million, but to Bacelar, it was money well spent. Ha_long_2010 (Vietnam Division Four) and Self_Control F.C. (Italy Division Six) would wind up disappointed by his choice of destination.
"That's thirty-over games he's gotten under his belt, and he's been coming along real fine. Bratos had brought in a former youth international in Bubiak as head coach, and you can sense the impact it has had on their trainees, even from here."
Bacelar refused to spell out his expectations for the returnee, however. "We're not about to pile on the pressure. I don't think Neeraj will be starting many competitive games for awhile, but it shouldn't take too long for him to get up to speed. I see him making real contributions, after a few more seasons."
