Evergreen man of Indian soccer

The very idea has a futile ring to it - a player, playing the best football of his career yet, and his club living through one of the worst seasons in its long history. But Mohun Bagan captain Renedy Singh is anything but resigned to the travails of his club.
But then, there's more. The midfield player scored the winner in India's home win over Singapore in the World Cup qualifiers last week. It was his fourth international goal, and even if it came off the spot, his usually solid show for the Indian team helps him retain that recall value. Only in this case, it works inversely in that his international showing keeps him in reckoning for a plum club deal, whenever it happens next.
"The deal between Bagan and East Bengal not to allow players to cross over is very wrong on the players," he says in a chat with TNN in the Capital on Monday, adding, "not only does it help officials keep player-rates at a near minimum, it also halts the progress of a player wanting to try out a new club."
Not all players have the good fortune and the implicit clout of a Bhutia, who moved to East Bengal , after a depressing spell with Bagan since his contract had this clause that he could join any club that he wished. Renedy too once did - move to Bagan from East Bengal, and that had caused him a four-month spell of inaction and uncertainty. He, like the quintessential footballer, waits for another season, another chance.
But what exactly is wrong with the country's oldest club? The captain knows the answers, but hesitates in spelling them out. "There are two major factions among the officials, and it has not helped anything." In Bagan, at present, you always have to give more than 100 per cent. And that is not always possible.
"It's like East Bengal ," he explains. The club and team is so organised that the players can afford to give even less than 100 per cent. In the end, the sum of their parts is greater than the whole. It's showing in their recent performances."
How does he, standing from the sidelines, and in the prime of his career, view East Bengal 's runaway success in the last season or so? "Of course, it hurts. It is not only the success, but the wonderful system that they have that makes me wish I was a part of things".
But then solace for Renedy comes in the form of National colours. "That's been going great, thankfully," he smiles.
There's the unwavering faith which National coaches have showed in him, and something's he repaid in full. "Even when I've been injured, I've been asked to report for national camps by the coaches."
Indeed, a regular for the Indian team since his senior debut in 1988 - even Baichung Bhutia cannot boast of this streak since he burst upon the scene in 1995 - Renedy appears the most settled player in an Indian side that has witnessed constant change in the last three years. Let's hope Mohun Bagan recognises this soon, or else the left winger would have flown.