Kerala Blasters head coach Peter Taylor has showered praise on Indian defensive rock Sandesh Jhingan and has suggested that the 22-year-old should consider plying his trade in Europe, as the former Crystal Palace manager feels that Jhingan's attitude can take him a long way.
The Chandigarh lad was one of the shining stars for Kerala Blasters in the first edition of the Indian Super League, and was adjudged as the ISL Emerging Player of the league.
Jhingan, who also earned his maiden Indian senior national team cap this year under Stephen Constantine, appeared in all 14 games for Blasters last year, and played a key role in helping the side reach the finals.
"Jhingan, I must say, had a very good last season in the ISL. And in the three weeks I've been in the camp, I've been very impressed," Taylor, who was appointed as the Kerala Blasters head coach in summer, told the official website of ISL.
"I keep talking to him that maybe one day, he should go to Europe because I think it would be a fantastic experience and he's got such a good attitude that he would indeed do very well."
The former England U21 international coach also explained why he preferred to stay put in India (Thiruvananthapuram) to have their pre-season preparations, when most of the other franchisees travelled to Europe and South Africa.
"This is my first time with Kerala Blasters FC. I decided to stay in India for our pre-season [training]. I felt that I wanted a lot of foreign players to get used to India, playing in India with the heat and humidity," the Englishman said.
The experienced coach also reasoned that the team needed a bit more pace on the attacking front this season, and the additions of English forward Chris Dagnall and former Arsenal striker Sanchez Watt can fill that requirement.
"Chris and Sanchez are lively forwards and [can] score a goal. I looked at Kerala Blasters' last season where they scored only nine goals and I felt it needed a bit more pace, a bit more movement upfront. So I'm expecting them to do well," Taylor said.
Kerala Blasters take on NorthEast United FC on 6 October in the inaugural game of the ISL season 2.
