5 U-19 players who deserve a national call-up

This was a fantastic season for the fans. For the first time, they saw I-League clubs facing ISL clubs in the Super Cup.

However, Club Football Season is almost over for the fans. Now, it's time for India's national team to step-up and take the baton and excite the football fans across the globe.

As India heads towards a busy fixture, the fans, if not Constantine, are desperately shouting for changes in the national squad.

The vulnerabilities and loopholes in India's current squad were visible when India took Kyrgyzstan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier.

While the changes are necessary, in this article we will list 5 U-19 players who deserve a call-up to the national team.

#5 Sanjeev Stalin

The AIFF Elite Academy product has done a wonderful job for both India U-17 and Indian Arrows this season.

The Left-Back was one of India's best players in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and at Indian Arrows. The Freekick expert plied his trade at the left-back position and stood solid, even while others didn't. He featured in 17 games for the Arrows' this season.

His ability to go up and attack the oppositions makes him apt to get the nod at the national team. His Freekick deliveries are World-Class and inch-perfect. The dead-ball specialist can pull off tracer bullets.

However, he has competitions from Jerry Lalrinzuala, Lalruatthara, who've already established their presence at the national stage.

As he's already proved his mettle by playing all the three games for India in the FIFA U-17 Cup, he rightly deserves to get a national call-up.

#4 Anwar Ali

Another defender in the list, Anwar Ali marshalling India's defence in the FIFA U-17 World Cup was a treat to watch.

The lanky defender stood out, intercepted the balls away and saved India, many times, from suffering wreck.

The Minerva Academy product was fantastic this season. He organised the defence for Matos at both India U-17 and Indian Arrows.

His consistency is one of his key elements. In the FIFA U-17 World Cup, it was crystal clear. While others struggled to match up the opponents, Ali did it with calm and composure and forced the opponents to bring more players into the attack

At Indian Arrows, it was not a different tale. They had to fight against India's senior players, who're physically robust, and are more experienced than the young colts.

However, Ali managed to dismantle them. He made 15 appearances for Indian Arrows' this season.

India's defensive duo of Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika looked uncomfortable against Krygyztan.

As tough matches await India ahead of the road, and Constantine should consider Anwar Ali Jr, at least as a backup option.

He deserves to get the call-up and he's matured enough to wear the Blue Tigers' jersey at the senior level.

#3 Boris Singh

Boris Singh Thangjam is an absolute class. The flashy right-back is one of the best talents the country have. Boy, he plays like Marcelo does. The only difference is Marcelo plies his trade as a left-back.

His ability to apply well-executed tackles to put the opponents out of the puzzle, his capability to run the midfield and supply the balls relentlessly to the attackers, are second to none. His quality to inject inescapable menace for the oppositions makes him the futuristic player.

The pacey, versatile defender featured in 12 games for Indian Arrows and managed to score a goal. His performance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup is simply adequate to explain the quality he possesses.

Against Kyrgyzstan, Stephen Constantine employed Lalruatthara at the right-back position. In future, India will want a more specialized right-back and Boris Singh is a reliable option.

#2 Dheeraj Singh

Dheeraj Singh is Indian Football's latest finding. The AIFF academy product impressed the world with his incredible form in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Since then, the Manipuri boy has been climbing the ladders of success.

Singh is currently in trials with Scottish top-tier club Motherwell FC and Sportskeeda had earlier reported that getting a national call-up would help him seal the Motherwell deal.

Dheeraj Singh has all the quality needed to get the national call-up. He reflex skills were visible in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and in the I-League.

His dare to come out of the box and intercepts the ball before others do are clear evidence of the world-class talent he has.

As India is already blessed with shot-stoppers like Gurpreet Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith and Subrata Paul, it's hard for Dheeraj to get the nod.

But, he has all the abilities required to rise above them, and cement his place in the national team.

#1 Rahul KP

Rahul KP versatility makes him stand-out

Versatility is what it defines Rahul KP. The Kerala-born player is capable of plying his trade anywhere on the pitch.

In the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Matos' employed the player at the defence, then in the midfield, and then in the attack and he did those with perfection.

While Dheeraj Singh hogged the limelight, many were unaware of the unique ability Rahul KP had. Currently, he's one of the key players in the Indian Arrows' squad.

He's among the few players, who had represented India throughout all the three games in the World Cup.

His goal against Mumbai City FC in the Super Cup, outclassing one of ISLs best defender Lucian Goian was a treat to watch. Rahul outran Goian to score a Bergkamp-esque goal. Class, isn't?

As India's frailties are visible, Rahul KP deserves to get a call-up and Constantine could use him as a backup option at multiple positions.

Edited by Alan John