Bagan winger enjoys competition with Norde and Katsumi
Kolkata: Kean Lewis will be a much improved footballer as he turns up for Mohun Bagan in the forthcoming I League. The 24-year-old winger had an outstanding season in the ISL with Delhi Dynamos. Lewis etched his name on the record books by scoring the 400th goal in the Indian Super League (ISL). Playing in his debut season, Lewis netted four goals in the ISL.
The product of Leicester City’s youth academy, Lewis will be a key footballer for Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen. The 5 feet 7-inch tall forward had to fight for his place in the first XI and his job wasn’t made easy by the presence of Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde in the Mohun Bagan roster.
Kean joined the Mariners training on Monday, after enjoying a few days break with family.
“I was taking rest after ISL which finished on December 16. I was spending a few days time with my family. It feels great to be back training with Mohun Bagan,” said Lewis after the practice.
With Sony and Katsumi in both wings it will be really challenging for Lewis to make it to the first eleven. But Kean is not looking too far ahead.
“I faced the same challenges last year and this year it is not going to be any different. I have to play well to break into the playing eleven. It is challenging as I am an Indian player and I was fighting for a spot with two quality foreign players. So, it’s going to be the same story this year,” said a confident Kean.
He further added that it will augur well for the team to have a healthy competiton.
“Definitely it helps the coach to rotate the squad as we will be playing after every 3 -4 days. It is good to have a competition going in amongst ourselves to break into the first eleven.”
On being asked whether it will be more challenging for him personally to cement his place in the first team, Lewis said, “It was challenging last season as well. I am sure it is going to be the same this year. It’s good to have a healthy competition within the side. Mohun Bagan is a big club and everyone wants to play and make a name for them.”
Kean will be back with full confidence after a god stint in ISL with Delhi Dynaoms. The footballer from Maharshtra would like to transform his good form in ISL into the I League.