Nirmal Chettri during the ISL player drafts © ISLNirmal Chettri has travelled a long distance in his career as a professional footballer, both physically and metaphorically speaking, from the outbacks in Sikkim to Mumbai and then to Kolkata and now to ‘God’s own country’ to turn out for Kerala Blasters FC in the upcoming Hero Indian Super League. The 23-year-old ‘veteran’ has also reinvented himself from a central defender during his stint at Air-India, to a side-back for his Kolkata clubs and the national squad.Looking back on his long and eventful journey during a conversation on the sidelines of the domestic player draft of the ISL in Mumbai, the ruggedly-built international defender nostalgically recalled how he and Sanju Pradhan were brought to Mumbai by Bimal Ghosh and thrown into the deep end: “We came from nowhere to a big platform in Mumbai and I’m really grateful to Bimal Sir for that. So from Melli, my village in Sikkim, to the maidan, it was such a long journey with so many ups and downs. I’ve seen so many dressing rooms, worked with so many coaches, but it’s been an amazing experience!”Chettri will now be reunited with Trevor Morgan (assistant coach of Kerala Blasters), and looks forward to working with the genial gaffer again. “I worked with him for two years (at East Bengal) and last season for three-four weeks at the ISL camp in Mumbai and I’m looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge,” he averred. “I’ve also played together with almost 80-90 per cent of my teammates. I’m really grateful to Morgan for having chosen me for his team. Perhaps he feels I’m a utility player and will be useful to him.” I’m a versatile defender and can play in the centre or along the lines. I’ve played as stopper back under Morgan and he shifted me to the wings when a player got injured, so I’m really open to the challenge.Nirmal Chettri, Kerala Blasters FCChettri is open to the prospect of playing in the centre of the defence or along the wings, considering that he has essayed both roles with aplomb in the past. “I’m a versatile defender and can play in the centre or along the lines. I’ve played as stopper back under Morgan and he shifted me to the wings when a player got injured, so I’m really open to the challenge,” he stated.Looking back at his club career, Chettri does not regret leaving the relatively relaxed ambience in Mumbai for the turbulence of Kolkata. “I was really settled in Air India and the officials were good to me but I had to think ahead and switching from Air India to East Bengal was a good decision and a good turning point for me. I had a few offers but I thought that maybe East Bengal was the best,” he said, arguing that every footballer wants to play where the passion is the highest and the fan following is the greatest. His defection to Mohun Bagan too was a logical move: “The offer came along at the right time when I had to think of what next, and it proved to be a tough decision but I think I did the right thing. And then came the move to Mohammedan Sporting (on loan), so I have played with all the Big Three of Kolkata and I think I have given my best to all the clubs.”