© Star SportsThe charismatic David James, a man of many talents, will now be seen plying his trade in India as a marquee player and manager of Kerala Blasters FC. We caught up with the former England and Liverpool goalkeeper during the international player draft in Mumbai for a short interview. Here are some excerpts:What motivated you to become a part of the Hero Indian Super League? Many things actually. Firstly, the opportunity to experience a different culture outside my comfort zone in England and secondly, the chance to work with a dedicated and talented group of players who are not here for the financial gain, but for the intent of improving themselves as footballers. My previous experience will always help and along with Trevor Morgan, I believe we will be able create a positive impact.How will you and Trevor Morgan work together in tandem and what do you expect to bring to Kerala Blasters through this partnership?I will ultimately be managing the team because that is my position but I shall always seek his advice and tap his vast experience. As far as coaching goes, both of us will be doing so, along with other qualified professionals at the club. We want to develop young grassroots talent and we also want to develop the players who have come in through the drafts. We want to give the players a facility and a framework to develop and enhance their skills.Goalkeepers usually have long careers in football. Are you looking forward to showcasing your goalkeeping skills here?Absolutely! It is one of the primary reasons for my being here, because I felt that it will provide me with an opportunity to play.What are your plans for the grassroots development?I will be touring Kerala to familiarise myself with the district before we commence our training sessions. I have talked to Sachin Tendulkar extensively about his vision for this club and development of grassroots football in Kerala and I can tell you that the future for both is looking extremely positive.What prompted you to choose Kerala Blasters?The meeting with Sachin Tendulkar. I met up with him in London and it wasn’t just a meeting between an ex-international cricketer who wanted an ex-Premier League footballer to come and play for his team. Sachin is a man with a vision and possesses a passion that I buy into. No other club was able to offer me what Sachin offered me with regard to developing football here in India.We have picked players who complement the other players we have in our team, through nationality, through experience and through talent.David James, Marquee player and manager, Kerala Blasters FCIn the international drafts, you have mainly gone for defenders and forwards. Are you happy with the midfielders on board?The draft has been absolutely fantastic to us. We have picked players who complement the other players we have in our team, through nationality, through experience and through talent. We have identified positions where we need youth…or maybe a little experience and tried to cover it via the draft. We are presently very happy with what we have.What message would you like to convey to the fans of the ISL?The ISL has been talked about for many months and now we are finally on the verge of something special. If Sachin’s dream can come true then the dreams of all the fans will come true. How can a country with almost one seventh of the world’s population not be competing in the qualification for the World Cup? Hopefully, the ISL shall be the answer to some of your questions. All you fans have a reason to be optimistic.