Reports : Kerala Blasters sign Mario Arques to shore up midfield

After a promising start in the den of two-time ISL champions ATK, Kerala Blasters had a massive meltdown as they ended with nine draws and seven losses in 18 matches to end their season at the bottom half of the table. 

David James was consequently replaced mid-season with Nelo Vingada and although it has hardly changed Kerala’s form, they are looking proactive in the transfer market now. According to Goal, Kerala have signed the highly prized Mario Arques, who made a significant mark with Jamshedpur FC last season.

The 27-year-old midfielder has had a brilliant season with the Men of Steel, where he scored three goals and two assists to help Cesar Ferrando’s side finish fifth on the table. Brought to India by Ferrando from third-tier Spanish side Alcoyano, Arques took little time to become a regular in the side and was a solid presence throughout the season alongside Memo.

Playing most of his career in Spain, Arques has had a brief stint in Ukranian Premier League club Karpaty in 2017 before he had returned to Spain and then come to India. Kerala have seen talents like Abdul Samad, and Kizito Keziron coming up this season and Arques joining them could see them having one of the best midfields in the league.

A clean passer of the ball and intelligent at game reading, Arques didn’t pick a single yellow or red card last season. Apart from his inch-perfect long balls and incisive through balls, the midfielder has also been seen making intelligent late runs into the box. He could also be a good leader for the side in the long run.