Kuldeep Yadav’s football dreams: ‘In future, I would like to get into something related to it’

He knows the finer details of the teams he follows, which are not limited to the ones fighting for the English Premier League crown, but also clubs fighting the relegation battle.

A team like Brighton and Hove Albion may not be a much-followed side outside England, but they have caught Kuldeep’s eye.

“I like them, and their coach Roberto de Zerbi. He is one of the best going around at this moment. There are talks that he is in line to manage Barcelona, my favourite club. That would be exciting. When they have all the players fit, Brighton are better than Manchester City when building up from the back. There are other teams, too, like Newcastle United, who are tactically strong when competing against the big teams,” he told The Indian Express.

The ongoing EPL season is witnessing one of the closest title races and has Kuldeep hooked. The way he talks about the strengths and weaknesses of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool will make many a football analyst proud.

“Really enjoying this season. Arsenal looks like a better team (than last season); Liverpool is the most competitive side. They have a good team, but many are injured and some just returning from injuries. City has the best core team in the league, and of course, you know how Pep guides them with his philosophy. He has a group of players that fits into his tactics. The season is headed for an exciting climax,” he feels.

“Although Arsenal don’t have a striker, they have Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, who sometimes plays in the middle, or as a false nine. They have got two good leaders in Declan Rice, who is very good defensively, and Martin Odegaard, who gives a lot of attacking options. Their next game against City is vital.”

As far as players go, Kuldeep is a big Neymar fan but doesn’t watch him in the Saudi league, as “I prefer watching competitive football.”
Kuldeep met former England football captain David Beckham during the Cricket World Cup last year, and claims ‘in five seconds he realised that I have decent knowledge about the game.’

“I spoke to him for five minutes. I told him that I used to play football when I was young and then I broke my feet. Tactically, I have good knowledge. I understand the game very well. In future, I would like to get into something related to football.”