Should ISL 2023-24's breakout star Jay Gupta be included in the Indian national team setup soon?

In recent times, there wouldn't have been any player crowned as the "breakout star of the ISL season" just five matches deep. But Jay Gupta, with some resounding performances in the early part of the 2023-24 season, has captured the imagination of Indian football aficionados already.

Gupta has been adjudged the Hero of the Match thrice this season, for his performances against Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC, and Chennaiyin FC. Is there an argument to be made that the 22-year-old also deserves to capture the attention of the national team head coach?

Gupta's rise over the past few months has been meteoric. As recently as last season, the full-back was operating at an amateur club in the Spanish sixth tier. Ahead of the pre-season, he returned to India and started training with FC Goa under Manolo Marquez.

While his Durand Cup stint was promising, the string of performances in the ISL hasn't been anything short of miraculous.

In their opening match of the league against Punjab FC, Gupta put up a tidy performance and helped the Gaurs to a clean sheet. But it was from the Odisha FC match that the left-back completely started hogging the limelight.

He scored a 96th-minute winner against the Juggernauts, and followed it up with a comprehensive all-round showing against Bengaluru FC a game later.

Gupta registered four shots on goal and made four successful tackles against Bengaluru, becoming the first Indian player in ISL history to achieve such a feat in a single match.

Chennaiyin FC were up next, and neither Jay Gupta nor Goa faltered against the Marina Machans. The explosive defender racked up the assist for Boris Singh's open goal and also came away with a clean sheet.

While his list of accolades is still slim, the progression has been undeniable. Stimac might be forced to take notice of the youngster soon.

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What can Jay Gupta offer to the Indian national team?

A quick look at the highlights from Jay Gupta's matches reveal the pure intensity at which the guy operates.

Maybe it's the age or the enthusiasm to make an impact, but the 22-year-old grafts along the pitch for the entirety of his stay on it. Armed with exemplary discipline and positional awareness, he possesses the crucial skillset to operate as a full-back.

Then there's the attacking output that's difficult to overlook, even if it isn't the most important quality for a defender. Gupta has already registered a goal and an assist this season, and come agonizingly close to making plenty more goal contributions. For someone who has a knack for adventuring into the attacking half, Gupta has also maintained a healthy pass completion rate of 78 percent.

While there are a few attacking full-backs at Stimac's disposal, Jay Gupta seems like a complete package that's waiting to be nurtured in the coming seasons. His ability to progress the ball might be crucial in renovating India's arsenal against low-block teams.

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How can Jay Gupta fit into the Indian national team?

While not exactly spoilt for choice, Igor Stimac does have a few quality options at his disposal when it comes to defenders, particularly left-backs. Akash Mishra has been one of the leading options in the position for a while now. Without an iota of a doubt, the Mumbai City full-back will continue to remain one of the first choices.

Then there's also the explosive Naorem Roshan Singh, who broke into the national team setup a few years back courtesy his performances in the ISL. The final left-back option is veteran Subhasish Bose who, due to his defensive solidity, still makes a strong case for inclusion.

Jay Gupta might have an edge over both the latter mentioned candidates, as he provides a more well-rounded skillset. He has operated as a center-back and could slot into the spot if Stimac decides to opt for a three-back system. When it comes to pure quality as a full-back, the Pune-born might be the most potent option, alongside Mishra.

The Croatian gaffer might be interested in observing Gupta's growth for a while before offering him the national team jersey. But given that the youngster is brimming with confidence, this might be the perfect opportunity to inculcate him into the system - just ahead of the all-important AFC Asian Cup.