Mahindra146;s problems are off the field

It is perhaps because Steven Dias spends so much of his time taking those solo curling corner-kicks that this present...

It is perhaps because Steven Dias spends so much of his time taking those solo curling corner-kicks that this present off-the-field goal-mouth melee he finds himself in has left him confounded. At the centre of the transfer season8217;s most bitter confrontation the attacking midfielder would like to move to East Bengal from Mahindra United, or at least demands a hike from his present club comparable to that Kolkatan offer, the 24-year-old is frankly in the midst of a major emotional muddle. Transfer sagas always unfold with nervous undertones, but this one has left the Mumbai-born player heart-broken.

Uncertainty can reduce the strongest to tears; Dias simply talks of his sweeping trust gone sour in a sinking tone.

8220;I trusted Mahindra,8221; he says, 8220;club president Alan Durante used to always say I8217;m a very good player, then why can8217;t I be valued at a price I deserve?8221; Dias demands to know.

Mahindra have insisted from the start of the saga that Dias and NP Pradeep, the other player involved in negotiations with EB, were Mahindra players and would remain so until their contracts ran out. Dias, on his part, says it was the exit clause on which his employers pulled back, flouting a gentleman8217;s agreement.

Evasive officials

8220;The new law made it mandatory for a 2-3 years contract, I agree. But they had promised I could go anywhere if a better offer came my way,8221; Dias says on the eve of his scheduled meeting with Durante on Friday.

8220;Even when I got the offer from EB, my first preference was Mahindras, and I went straight to Mr Durante,8221; he says. But the impression he got was that the club president was evasive when it came to discussions. 8220;You know, I had a good time with the club, no problem with officials for four years. But it hurt when I went and talked to them about this offer and they avoided saying they were busy and in meetings,8221; he says.

In a spot

The two clubs involved have been asked to arrive at a settlement, and at a five-member hearing of the Player8217;s Committee, Dias says, the manager even agreed that they had promised releasing him, irrespective of the expected three-year tenure. 8220;Mahindra need to agree to the value I deserve,8221; he repeats, 8220;I won8217;t bring that down. I8217;d rather stop playing football,8221; he says out of desperation.

Story continues below this ad

8220;Ultimately it is about whether Mahindra value their players,8221; he says.

In case of a stalemate on Friday, he8217;ll have to go to the Football Players8217; Association with his grievances, but for now, he8217;s in a spot. He might fancy that part of the field the best, but presently there8217;s no joy for Dias in being cornered.