Young defender Nikhil Prabhu, who has been promoted to Hyderabad FC’s senior squad after a season with the reserves, is eager to impress head coach Manolo Marquez and break into their first team during Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21. The 19-year-old defender signed a three-year contract with the club ahead of Hero ISL 2020-21 and hopes to become one of India’s top centre-backs in the future.

“I had a great experience with coach Anshul (Katiyar) while playing for the Hyderabad FC Reserves. Later, I went on to train with the senior team too and that helped me grow and eventually earn a contract with them. As a young player, I am looking forward to making it to the first-team at Hyderabad FC. I am also looking to don the national team jersey one day and become one of the top centre-backs in India,” Prabhu shared in an interview with khelnow.com.

Hyderabad FC recently appointed Thangboi Singto as assistant coach and the club’s technical director for youth. Singto has worked with several budding talents in India in the past, and Prabhu is excited about working with the new Hyderabad coach. “As young players, we need coaches (like him) to guide us to the top level. He tells us about his experiences working with the other young players (who have achieved greater heights) and pushes us citing that we can reach those heights too,” he said.

Prabhu also shared his admiration for ATK Mohun Bagan FC’s Sandesh Jhingan, who has regularly been among the best defenders in the Hero ISL. “I watch him (Jhingan) a lot whenever he plays for the national team as well as for clubs. There are many similar qualities we have like height and build and I want to become like him. I want to play alongside him one day,” he shared.