Kerala Blasters Sporting Director claims January transfer window was to remove bad players

Kerala Blasters Sporting Director Karolis Skinkys has implied that the club wanted to get rid of bad players rather than add fresh ones in the open winter transfer window.

The admission was made in the latest episode of 'The Yellow Wave' podcast published on the club's YouTube channel. "Surely, will be changes. Of course, still this window, I see it more for cleaning and fixing unhealthy parts, let's say, than adding new," Skinkys said in response to a question on the lack of signings.

The podcast was shot on January 15, and the same day, the Blasters announced their first signing of the transfer window by introducing Montenegrin midfielder Dusan Lagator. Four days later, the Blasters announced the signing of promising young Indian defender Bikash Yumnam. With the pair of fresh additions, the Blasters management has placated at least a section of the Manjappada that was on a protest path, alleging a lack of ambition.

However, in recent weeks, the club has either loaned out or let go, permanently, at least seven players who were part of the first team. Australian striker Jaushua Sotirio, whose two-year spell at the Blasters was disrupted by injuries, finally left the club in December. Fan favourite Rahul K P ended his eventful five years, making a permanent switch to Odisha FC, while Saurav Mandal, Bryce Miranda and Prabir Das left on loan.

Two days after the podcast was shot, the club parted ways with French midfielder Alexandre Coeff. Veteran defender Pritam Kotal left for Chennaiyin on the same day as the arrival of Bikash from the opposite direction. It is unclear if the management has fixed the 'unhealthy parts' yet or if it will need further 'cleaning' before the winter transfer window shuts on January 31.