Before the current Indian Super League (ISL) season, Mumbai City FC signed 19-year-old midfielder Supratim Das from Reliance Foundation Young Champs on a three-year deal. A pivotal player for the Young Champs, Supratim helped them clinch the Sub-Junior I-League title in 2018-19 and secure a runner-up finish in the MFA Super Division League in 2022-23. His development also included exposure trips with RFYC to Spain (2017-2019) and Japan (2024)
Although his opportunities with Mumbai City FC have been limited so far, Supratim shared his journey in an exclusive chat with RevSportz. He talked about his experiences, what he has learned, coach Petr Kratky, making his debut in front of Mumbai fans, favourite players, and Kolkata giants, among other topics.
Excerpts:
Q: How has been the experience so far to play for Mumbai City, limited but the experience of training regularly with top players, how is it?
A: It is like dream come true for me. Any 19-year-old player would have only dreamt like this. Having training sessions and sharing the same pitch with experienced players like Jon Toral, Brandon Fernandes is a big experience that I am getting. I always try to learn and enjoy the game as much as possible from them. It has been great so far.
Q: How has the transition been from RFYC to a senior team in ISL and how the professional methods at RFYC academy helped make the transition smooth?
A: The academy has played a huge role so far. I came to Mumbai when I was 11-year-old. I was too little to know anything, did not know how to speak Hindi and English, coming from a middle-class family. Then, here, they took care, got my schooling, training and all facilities under good quality foreign coaches and discipline also. I was for eight years at the academy. So, it helped me strengthen my base, both football-wise and as a human being also.
But when you talk about transition, obviously difference is there between an academy and a huge professional club like Mumbai City. However, football-wise, principles are quite similar and that has helped me get settled quickly. It has also helped me focus in more details and in strengthening my technical and tactical abilities. Honestly, there are many things I’m yet to learn but the academy has definitely helped in developing a strong base for me.
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Q: Can you elaborate on the experience of playing in Spain and Japan?
A: These opportunities are very important for young and grassroot-level players. I went to Spain four times and Japan once. There is a huge difference in the Indian and foreign culture. When I played against big clubs like Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, I got to know about their facilities, and how they train. They start from a very young age and that concept is yet to come in India.
Our academy has already started to follow that concept by strengthening basics from a young age. If you see the European Leagues like La Liga and the Premier League, there are so many young players. Even if you do not reach that level despite having potential, these learnings should help you here.
Q: Words on Petr Kratky, the one aspect of training at RFYC that helped you a lot to settle into Petr Kratky’s system at Mumbai City FC
A: For a young player, a coach’s role is very crucial and he (Kratky) has been very supportive, whether it is in the training or off the pitch. He makes me feel at home. He sometimes gives feedbacks and points out the areas where I need to improve more. For any young player to grow, a healthy relationship with your coach is really pivotal. So, it has helped me settle in and I enjoy trainings under him.
Q: How was the experience of making your ISL debut in front of the home crowd?
A: At a very young age when I decided to become a professional footballer, just like every other young player, I had the dream of playing at the highest level. It was a great experience and I was getting goosebumps. I think all young players should experience that feeling. The match (vs Odisha FC) was also very high intensity as we were tied at 1-1. Although, it was for a few minutes, but still, it motivates me and helps in boosting my confidence. I feel like that it has been a good start for me and motivates me to work even harder every day.
Q: Your roots are from West Bengal. So, you are aware of the craze for East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting. Your views on the craze for the Kolkata giants.
A: Obviously, Kolkata means East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting. My family loves football and that has helped me a lot in generating the love and passion for this sport. Whenever a derby was there, a fight used to occur between my mother and father because my mother is a Mohun Bagan fan while my father is an East Bengal fan. It was difficult for me to choose one because of that. I have watched a few derbies from the stands also. So many fans (almost one lakh back then) watching the game. It motivated me more to get that kind of experience one day.
Q: But still as a fan, any of those two clubs that you supported back then?
A: Then, I used to support my mother. I was inclined a bit towards Mohun Bagan.
Q: Favourite player or midfielder for you from India and overall? And why?
A: As I play as an attacking midfielder, I love Sahal Abdul Samad. He is very creative and calm on the ball. So, I like his playing style. I also like Brandon, my teammate also. He is a great individual to look up to, be it technical or tactical quality. So, I am very happy to share the pitch with him and observing him closely. One of my aspects has been being the set-piece specialist and if you see Brandon, he is the current set-piece specialist for India and Mumbai City. So, that has been a big learning for me in order to enhance that aspect.
Q: Words on Chhangte? His work ethics and all, inspirational?
A: When I was at the academy, my father always used to tell me to look up to Chhangte and now, after two years, I am in the same team with him. He is a top professional and there are many things that you can learn from him. See, behind a performance on the pitch, a lot of hard work and discipline are there, and Chhangte is the best example. A true inspiration for young players, especially like me. He is very disciplined, humble and helpful.
Q: The ultimate dream; donning that Indian jersey?
A: Absolutely. For any player, it is a dream to don that national team jersey, representing your country at the highest level. So, let us see.
Q: Final question. Any foreign club that you follow passionately?
A: Manchester City. Recently, it has been tough but they will come back.