Who is Som Kumar? Kerala Blasters’ Goalkeeping Sensation

Som Kumar, in pursuit of the European dream and establishing his reputation within the Slovenian youth leagues, has now experienced a significant shift in his career, leading him back to his homeland. The young goalkeeper hailing from Bengaluru has become a role model for aspiring Indian footballers eager to embark on their journey towards achieving success in Europe.

The 19-year-old has captivated European audiences, revealing flashes of his remarkable talent and astonishing them with the extraordinary potential that Indian football possesses.

Following his progression through the youth divisions of the Slovenian Junior League, Som Kumar is now pursuing an opportunity in Indian football with Kerala Blasters for the 2024-25 season of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Career and Performances

Som Kumar commenced his professional football career in 2018 by joining the Bengaluru FC U-13 team at the age of 13. He subsequently joined Boca Juniors, a franchise based in Bangalore, where he acquired significant international experience by participating in U-13 tournaments conducted in Dubai.

Following his tenure at Boca, Som transitioned to the BYFL academy, where he participated in the U-13 I-League. His steady performances in the league and the Karnataka State Championship led to his selection for the Indian National U-17 camp in 2020, when he was merely 14 years of age.

Som Kumar relocated to Europe in late 2020, where he joined the U-17 team of the Slovenian club NK Bravo. He traveled to Italy with the club to participate in a summer tournament for U-15 teams, which included several prestigious clubs from across Europe. Bravo encountered the youth team of the Italian Serie A club Bologna during the tournament, where the young goalkeeper delivered an outstanding performance, successfully saving three penalties and ensuring a win for his team.

Som was subsequently loaned to another NextGen Liga club, NK Krka, where he thrived with opportunities in the first team. He impressed during his time with the team, contributing to their third-place finish in the league, just four points shy of the champions, which ultimately secured him a permanent transfer to the club. He concurrently secured his position as a consistent participant at the youth levels of his national team.

In 2023, Som Kumar joined the U-19 squad of NK Olimpija Ljubljana, a distinguished and highly successful club in Slovenian football. He demonstrated exceptional skill in goal once more, achieving four clean sheets in six consecutive unbeaten matches, which led to his selection for training with the senior team during the pre-season.

Som Kumar, having completed a successful tenure in the youth divisions of Slovenian football, made the decision to return to India. He was acquired by Kerala Blasters prior to the season, making his competitive debut for the club under the management of Mikael Stahre in the Durand Cup.

He swiftly established himself as one of Stahre’s reliable options in goal, achieving two clean sheets in his initial three matches for the club. He was unfortunately sidelined by an injury just prior to the commencement of the league season. Som Kumar made his comeback and celebrated his ISL debut in a 2-1 victory on the road against Mohammedan SC.

Playing Style

Som Kumar can be characterized in two distinct ways, primarily reflecting his approach to goalkeeping. He is more of a blend between a traditional and a modern-day goalkeeper. Although his conventional shot-stopping skills are more evident than his contemporary technical abilities, it is reasonable to assert that he remains a developing talent.

The youngster relies on his reflexes, which have become the biggest strength in his portfolio, once again leaning toward the traditional style. He exhibits assertiveness within his area, moving forward at the appropriate time to apply pressure on the opposing team.

Som demonstrates commendable technical skills, exhibiting proficiency with the ball and showcasing a variety of passing options that contribute effectively to the build-up play. This aspect will enhance over time and with experience, and a goalkeeper who excels in ball play will be greatly esteemed by any club, particularly in India.

One of the most notable characteristics of Som Kumar is his impressive height. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, his slender physique creates a commanding presence in the goal, providing him with a significant advantage over many players in modern-day Indian football. This superiority in the air enables him to proficiently manage long passes and crosses into the penalty area.

An aspect in which Som Kumar has been struggling this season is his decision-making inside the box. His expectations are accurate; however, he frequently encounters circumstances in which indecision becomes detrimental.

He displayed confidence and assertiveness in his approach to the ball during the Durand Cup; however, it appears that the intensity of the league stage may have affected him.  Despite this, the courage shown by the young lad for charging in at the opposition attacker’s feet deserves appreciation.

Som Kumar is a well-rounded goalkeeper who can seamlessly integrate into any team structure when provided with appropriate guidance.

Future Potential

Kumar undoubtedly possesses immense potential, having excelled both physically and technically at such a young age across various continents. 

His continued status as a developing talent, despite possessing considerable experience, renders him adaptable to various environments, thereby creating numerous opportunities. However, there is certainly room for improvement in many aspects, especially now that he has had a rough start to his career in the ISL.

The errors observed in the league can largely be attributed to pressure and a lack of experience. It is also crucial to highlight that he was often let down by his defense on several occasions. Although he did not maintain a clean sheet, the young player has made remarkable saves at critical junctures for the Blasters.

Recovering from a setback after conceding a penalty during his debut, he demonstrated his elite mentality by making a crucial save against Mohammedan SC in the final moments of an away match, ultimately securing three points. This experience serves as a foundation upon which he can further develop his career.

Kochi presents a challenging environment for young individuals to excel amidst the constant pressure of fan expectations that loom heavily over them. However, if he is able to withstand the intense conditions of the Cochin furnace, Indian football will gain a formidable presence in goal with Som Kumar, serving both his club and the national team.

Cover Credits - ISL Official