Two EPL clubs and Leicester City to monitor Brandon Fernandes’ progress

Although Brandon Fernandes couldn’t earn a contract at Leicester City following a three-week trial, the youngster’s progress will be monitored by the English Championship outfit along with two other English Premier League (EPL) clubs.

One of the two EPL clubs is Reading FC, where the India youth international had a two-week trial, with club director Nick Hammond praising him and promising to monitor his progress.

ASD marketing director Susanna Steptoe informed Sportskeeda that the other EPL team wishes to remain unnamed for now but will watch Brandon at the end of this month in Cape Town.

“The other club from the English Premier League wishes to remain unnamed at present, and is sending a member of their technical team to Cape Town at the end of the month,” Susanna told Sportskeeda.

Brandon, whose playing style is believed to like Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez, has returned to Cape Town and will be resuming training with ASD’s SAFA 2 squad.

“Brandon’s stay in the UK has attracted global attention. The feedback from both clubs has been fantastic, and the Development Coach at Leicester in particular couldn’t speak more highly of Brandon’s technical ability, saying he is one of the strongest trialists they have ever had from a technical perspective.

“He only turned 18 a few weeks ago, and given that we aren’t even in the official football shop window yet, he has time on his side. Leicester City believed this to be the best course of action, and they, along with two other English clubs, will be monitoring his progress. A professional contract in Europe remains a very realistic target. This is only the beginning for Brandon,” ASD director Mike Steptoe was quoted saying in their official press release.

Mike added that the former Salgaocar youngster’s trials in England have shown that there is no dearth of talent in Indian football.

“Brandon has excelled. He has shown Europe that India most certainly does have talent, and the next 12 months are likely to be very exciting for him, and indeed Indian soccer,” he said.

Indian football followers would be hoping that young Brandon eventually follows in the footsteps of Mohammed Salim, Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri by earning a move abroad.