ISL 2022-23: Dimitrios Diamantakos can make a difference in the tournament: Tomislav Gabelic

Croatian journalist Tomislav Gabelic believes Greek forward Dimitrios Diamantakos can make a huge difference for the Kerala Blasters in the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League. The Tuskers finished the previous season as the runners-up and they have strengthened their squad by adding the services of the Diamantakos.

Diamantakos has the experience of representing his national team at all youth levels, scoring 19 goals in 46 appearances. As a youngster, he had finished as a runner-up at the European Under-19 championship and he was the second highest goal-scorer of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old has represented the senior national team of Greece on five occasions and had played under the tutelage of former Premier League winning coach Claudio Ranieri.

The Greek is excited to join hands with the Southerners and he will look to give his best to the club in the upcoming season. Diamantakos is the last overseas signing of the club.

Tomislav Gabelic said in an interview with Sportskeeda, “At his best time, he was a national team player. I believe that in Germany, they call him the Greek God. Here in Croatia, we call him Diamond. He is a good player. I can’t say how he will adjust to Indian football, how he will play there, but you’ve got a very nice player for your team. I believe he will be a good guy, a nice player and he can make a difference in your league.”

Meanwhile, Dimitrios Diamantakos also has the experience of playing in Croatia for top-tier club HNK Hadjuk Split.

Gabelic added, “He came to Hajduk from Germany during the difficult time of the pandemic. After his debut game, in which he scored a goal, he suffered some injuries. Then, there was the pausing of the game, and the league was paused several times. After that, he couldn’t find his form. The club sent him on loan to Israel [with FC Ashdod] and after that, he never played in an important game in the Croatian league. So, it would be fair to say that he came here with big expectations, but never got the chance to play at the biggest level.”

On the other hand, the Greek had expressed his excitement after signing up with Kerala Blasters FC.

“I’m so excited about the new chapter that opens in my career. It’s a big challenge for me. I heard a lot about the club, the amazing fans and the history of the team and I will do everything to achieve our goals” Diamantakos said after signing with the club.