Jamshedpur FC completed the signing of a seasoned campaigner, star midfielder CK Vineeth for the Indian Super League first team squad. CK Vineeth joins Antonio Iriondo’s side as the club’s 11th signing for the 2019-20 season . Here are some excerpts from his first Interview as he begins his journey with his new club:
On what convinced him to sign for Jamshedpur FC…
Part of being a footballer involves traveling to new places and experiencing new things. After spending a majority of my career in the South, I felt it was time for a change and it feels great to have signed with a club like Jamshedpur FC. The team has been doing really well and every season, there has been a marked improvement in the performances. I hope that I can contribute to the efforts here, because the fans of this club deserve it.
On his thoughts on what makes a champion…
The most important thing, I would say, is the mentality. Sometimes, as a footballer, you will find yourself struggling for fitness, for game time, and sometimes there may be things outside the pitch that will look to affect you. You have to make sure that your aim is in focus always and not let these things distract you.
Again, football is a team sport, so it’s obvious that you need to have a good group of individuals who are willing to work and fight for each other, and I believe we have that here in Jamshedpur. I’m really looking forward to the season.
On his aims and ambitions for the upcoming season…
In terms of numbers, I like to keep my targets to myself. But I believe that this group of players can fight for a place in the play-off, which will be our initial ambition. Every team wants to make sure that they have a place in the semifinal, and it will be really tough to do that, because the level of competition in the League is so high, but like I said, I believe we can do it if we all pull together.
On the squad assembled by the club and his new team-mates…
It’s always important to have players who are young and willing to push themselves. I was that player not too long ago, waiting for my chance and working hard in training. In a squad, the players who don’t get a lot of game time have as much a part to play as anyone else because they keep the other players on their toes all the time.
I know that there have been a few new signings at the club and there are a few players I have played with before, and I am really looking forward to joining them in training soon.
His thoughts on experienced coach Antonio Iriondo…
I’ve worked under several coaches in my career, and I’ve learned a lot from each one of them. With Coach Antonio, I believe I stand to learn a lot more because he comes with almost three decades of managerial experience. He has worked across youth and senior teams in Spain and I am looking forward to joining forces with him and the rest of the squad soon.
