Know your PIO/OCI Footballer: Dilan Markanday

Dilan Markanday has played for Tottenham Hotspur.

All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey has recently claimed that the country’s football governing body is actively trying to get Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) players to play for the national team. A change in the country’s sports laws will, however, be mandatory to bring in these players.

Dilan Markanday is one name that has been brought up in these “OCI player” conversations over the years. In this article, we will understand the player’s roots, have a look at his career, and see if he is actually eligible to play for the Indian football team.

Also Read: Know your PIO/OCI Footballer: Yan Dhanda

Dilan Markanday’s roots

Dilan Markanday was born on 20th August 2001 in Barnet, England. He spent his youth in the suburbs of London. The footballer took his first steps in the sport in England’s capital city and eventually became a professional in 2021.

Arun Markanday and Deepa Markanday, the footballer’s parents, were both born in India before they settled in England. Since he was born there, Dilan is a citizen of England. However, he also holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

Dilan Markanday’s club career so far

The 23-year-old is a product of Tottenham Hotspur’s academy. Dilan Markanday made his professional debut for the Spurs on 21st October 2021 as a substitute in a UEFA Conference League match against Vitesse. His side lost the game, and this turned out to be the only match he played for the English club.

Blackburn Rovers signed Dilan Markanday in January 2022. The player scored 2 goals in 8 appearances before being sent to Aberdeen for a six-month loan deal in January 2023. The winger returned to the Rovers for the 2023-24 season and scored 3 goals in 27 appearances for the club.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Markanday joined English League Two (fourth division) club Chesterfield on a six month loan deal before playing the second half of the season on loan with English League One club Leyton Orient, with whom he lost the promotion playoff at the Wembley Stadium.

After an impressive showing in League Two, Chesterfield signed Dilan Markanday permanently on 19th May 2025. The player is under contract with the club for the next three seasons.

Has he played for England?

Dilan Markanday has not played for the England national football team and neither has he played for the Three Lions at the youth level.

Can Dilan play for the Indian football team?

Both of Dilan’s parents were born in India, and hence, the footballer is of Indian descent. To add to this, the former Tottenham Hotspur player has not played for England’s national football team at any level.

While Dilan Markanday is an English citizen as he was born there, he does hold an OCI card. The FIFA eligibility rule also dictates that a player can only play for one national team at the senior level unless there are any special cases. Hence as per FIFA norms, the winger is eligible to play for the Blue Tigers.

Even if Markanday is interested in wearing the Indian jersey, the country’s laws currently do not allow OCI players to play for the national team unless the player denounces their dual nationality. While talks are said to be ongoing, currently, there are no updates from the AIFF or the Indian government.

Also Read: Know your PIO/OCI Footballer: Danny Batth

What does he bring to the table?

Dilan Markanday against Premier league side Newcastle United in the FA Cup 2024.Blud was literally tearing apart 💀 $21m(168 crore) worth defence. #IndianFootball #WEWANTOCIPIO@IndianFootball @gameonbysodhi @IFTWC @indianballerz @playmakerind @AllIndiaFtbl @90ndstoppage pic.twitter.com/cTFtt4zIEW

— Goodbye (@Goodbye48308) June 23, 2025

The Indian football team currently has Lallianzuala Chhangte and Manvir Singh as options in the right wing. While both players have proven their worth in the ISL, they are yet to bring out their A-game in the national team jersey.

Dilan will be an improvement in the position as his xG and progressive short passing has been better than both Chhangte and Manvir over the last two years. To add to this, the Chesterfield player has supplied more balls into the box than his possible competitors.

Being a left-footer, Markanday also has the option to cut in and take shots on the goal apart from playing in passes or sending crosses from the right wing.

Dilan Markanday: Profile

• Full Name: Dilan Kumar Markanday
• Place of Birth: Barnet, England
• Age: 23 years (20-08-2001)
• Current Citizenship: English
• Height: 1.67m (5ft 6in)
• Position: Winger
• Preferred Foot: Left-footed player
• Current Club: Chesterfield (EFL League 2)
• Contract Expires: 30th June 2028

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