ISL 2022-23: Want to help Odisha FC reach new heights: New signing Raynier Fernandes

Odisha FC new recruit Raynier Fernandes has said that he wants to help the club reach new heights in the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League. Fernandes had become Odisha’s sixth signing of the summer and the club will look to build a new team under the tutelage of new head coach Josep Gombau.

Meanwhile, Raynier Fernandes played 76 matches for Mumbai City FC and he also played an instrumental role in taking the Islanders to glory in the 2020-21 season. Furthermore, the midfielder has made five appearances for the Blue Tigers in his career.

Fernandes started off his football career with Air India before playing for Maharashtra in Santosh Trophy. The 26-year-old had also impressed while playing for Mohun Bagan in the 2017-18 season.

Subsequently, he made a move to Mumbai City FC and impressed with his game in the midfield.

On his decision to make a move to Odisha FC, Fernandes said while talking to the official website of Hero ISL, “There are two-three decisions that helped me in this move. Firstly, there is a new challenge for me at Odisha FC and I’m really excited for this challenge. I had a word with the coach, he told me about the plan, a plan in which both of us were involved. For me, it seemed a bit comfortable and it was kind of an easy decision because the way in which he explained his project with the team made it easier for me to make my decision.”

Fernandes also shed light on his conversation with head coach Josep Gombau, who convinced him to make a move to Odisha FC for the upcoming season.

He added, “Before signing for Odisha FC, two weeks back, he told me about the project. He explained to me the way the team is going to play, the manner in which I was involved in the plan, and the way he was going to consider me around the team. In the previous season, I was not getting much game time and I was playing most of my games in an unfamiliar position.”

He continued, “It was difficult but it’s football, at the end of it, you have to do what the coach tells you to do. I felt that I didn’t fit into the coach’s plan during the last season. When I made the decision to come here, I had a word with the coach, and he told me that I would fit into the plan here. I will try my best to help the team, the coach, and everyone at Odisha FC to succeed and make some good memories.”

Fernandes will look to be at his best for Odisha FC and deliver the goods for the team. On the other hand, Odisha FC finished at seventh position in Hero ISL 2021-22 standings with six wins and a total of 23 points in their 20 league stage matches. Thus, they failed to qualify for the semifinal stages and they will be determined to turn the tables in the next season.