Five Bengaluru FC youngsters to watch out for in ISL 2019-20 season

Some of these players have shone for the Blues in other top tournaments.

The youth development in India has improved tenfold in the last many years, with a larger emphasis now being placed on identifying potential talents at a young age.

This ensures that the player’s skill-set can be moulded as per the requirements of the team in question, opening up further opportunities for the youth of India.

Bengaluru FC are the reigning champions of the Indian Super League (ISL) and although they boast big names in their side like Udanta Singh and Sunil Chhetri, their willingness to give the club’s youngsters their deserved opportunities is an aspect that is truly looked up to.

Here are five Bengaluru FC youngsters who are ready for first-team action in the forthcoming season.

5. Leon Augustine

This 20-year-old winger originally hails from Kerala, but has been an important member of this side. He was one of the main contributors as the Blues cruised to first place in the 2nd Division I-League.

Often seen wearing #31, Leon Augustine is one of the players who could get drafted into the first-team in the near future, especially considering the consistent quality that he has provided going forward.

He boasts explosive pace as well as calmness in front of goal, which will certainly be a huge asset in pressure games.

4. Suresh Singh Wangjam

This 19-year-old midfielder was a revelation in the I-League last season and if his performances for former club Indian Arrows were anything to go by, then Bengaluru fans certainly have a lot to be excited about.

Suresh Singh was signed on a free transfer from the Arrows earlier in the summer and although he had joined the Blues’ reserve side, he has been also drafted into the first-team ahead of the new season.

He is one of the fittest young prospects Indian football has to offer and Bengaluru have done a good job in signing him up ahead of what could be a truly strenuous ISL campaign.

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3. Sairuat Kima

Sairuat Kima Zote is another Indian defender who has shown himself in an excellent light over the last few months. He made several appearances in Bengaluru’s Durand Cup campaign earlier this year and will be hoping to become a regular name in the first-team next season.

Formerly of Jamshedpur FC, the youngster is still only 21 and has a massive future ahead of him.

He stands at over 1.9 meters tall, making him one of the tallest defenders of his age in Indian football. He is more than capable of making his presence felt in either box, meaning that he could eventually turn out to be one of Bengaluru’s biggest assets.

2. Lalengzama Vangchhia

This Indian playmaker has been a member of the Bengaluru FC reserve side for a couple of seasons now and was a part of the Blues' 2nd Division I-League squad last season.

The youngster plied his trade for Indian Air Force until 2017, before he was scouted as a potential talent and signed by the Blues.

The 19-year-old made his way up the ranks and it didn’t take him long to catch the eyes of the coaching staff.

Last season, he played in nine fixtures for the Blues - a period during which he managed to notch up a goal as well.

Vangchhia’s talents could go a long way in Bengaluru’s hunt for the title again next term.

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1. Lalrinluanga Chawnglut

This 19-year-old striker has been a part of the Blues’ academy from a very young age and all the potential that he is currently portraying is down to the excellent coaching that he received at the youth level.

The youngster boasts supreme finishing abilities, while he is also a threat with his late runs into the opposition box.

The striker’s abilities earned him two goals from nice appearances in the 2nd Division I-League last season.

He will be hoping to make the step up into the first-team during the 2019-20 campaign and considering that skipper Sunil Chhetri isn’t getting any younger, moulding a player to take over the role must become a priority for the Blues.