Mohammed Azhar’s journey from the fringes to the center of the ISL

Indian football has no dearth of players trying to make a career out of the game. They often lack a clear path to get there. For every youngster who breaks into the senior team, there are many others waiting for their chance, moving between academies, midfield and clubs in the hope of being snapped up.

Mohammed Azhar knows the wait. Born in Lakshadweep and brought up in Kochi, he is now central to SC Delhi’s ISL campaign. His journey to the top flight took him through the Kerala Blasters academy, a tough spell with injuries and an unexpected opportunity to train in Poland. There were times when progress stopped, but he continued. Photo: Special arrangement

His role at SC Delhi marks a significant change. The midfielder is now a regular part of Tomasz Tchörz’s plans, a far cry from the early years when he struggled to break out of the midfield. Azhar and his brother Aimen also took a chance when they left Kerala Blasters for SC Delhi, a relatively new project in the capital that was still building its identity.

In return, the club backed two young Indian players with room to grow. Under Tchörz, SC Delhi has shown a willingness to give youngsters meaningful roles rather than waiting for them to arrive as finished products. Azhar has made the most of that belief, even as he knows that establishing himself in the ISL is just the beginning.

“I am very proud as I have dreamed of playing in the ISL since my youth. Now this dream has come true and it is a proud moment for me and my family.”

“I’m happy and proud, but it also brings responsibility. I wouldn’t exactly call it pressure, but I know I have to keep my rhythm and perform every day.”

Aimen and Azhar join the Red Brigade! Do it brother. To destroy. . #SportingClubDelhi #SCDelhi #AbDillikiBaari #Aimen #Azhar { Sporting Club Delhi, Aimen, Azhar } Sporting Club Delhi (@OfficialSCDelhi) January 28, 2026

THE PEOPLE WHO LET HIM GO

At Kerala Blasters, Azhar and Aimen went through the academy together before moving to the reserves. They had hoped that their performances in the Reliance Foundation Development League would earn them an opportunity in the first team, but the invitation did not come when they expected. Watching other youngsters move to bigger clubs while they waited was tough, especially when playing for the seniors was a childhood dream. Azhar and Aimen left Kerala Blasters and shifted bases to New Delhi. (Courtesy: Kerala Blasters)

However, Azhar is careful not to look back on that period with resentment. He remains grateful to Kerala Blasters for giving the brothers their start and supporting their development.

“For a Kerala boy, Kerala Blasters means everything. I have said in interviews that without Kerala Blasters we would have nothing. They have helped us a lot and have always been there for us.”

His progress was further hampered by injuries. He struggled to get on the field regularly for one season, a frustrating experience given the expectations around him in Kerala. When he later found himself out of the starting XI, he questioned his own performances and decided to work harder rather than delay selection.

His parents helped him with those spells. They never made football a source of pressure, although progress was slow and the brothers were frustrated by the wait.

“I’m really proud to have them as parents. They never put unnecessary pressure on us. Instead, they loved watching our journey and seeing us play and enjoying the game.”

Aimen was another constant. The brothers talk to each other every day, discuss football on and off the pitch and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They are quick to point out mistakes and push each other to improve.

BECOME A MIDWIFE, THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Azhar’s choice of position was one of his first decisions. The coaches suggested that he play as a striker, but he wanted to operate in midfield, where he could influence the game on both sides. Xavi Hernandez was a big influence, while Joshua Kimmich and Thiago Alcntara remain players he studies for their technique, discipline and understanding of the game.

“I wanted to prove that even midfielders can become stars.”

That ambition has shaped the way he sees his role at SC Delhi. Tchörz expects him to help the team in difficult phases, connect defense with attack, find attackers and contribute without the ball. It’s a demanding brief, but one Azhar wants to embrace.

They are not content to merely hold a seat. He is focused on becoming more influential over 90 minutes and approaches training with that in mind.

“I always tell myself that every practice and every match could be my last. Even during the warm-up I try to give my all.”

“Whatever you do in practice will eventually show in the game. So I always tell myself to push and push and push. I just want to do my best every time.”

A TRIP TO POLAND THAT CHANGED HIS OUTLOOK

The breakthrough came thanks to an opportunity that Azhar did not expect. Tchörz, who worked with the brothers in the Kerala Blasters reserves, offered to help them experience football in Poland. The coach had a contact there and believed the trip could broaden their understanding of the game.

Azhar and Aimen had been talking about playing in Europe long before the offer came. They had only known Tchörz for a short time when he offered the opportunity to hold trials. With the help of coach and sporting director Carr, the brothers traveled to Poland and trained alongside the players in Raków Czestochowa, including members of the first team. The three-week internship came in November 2022.

This experience exposed them to a different standard of training and competition. For Azhar, it was both a reality check and an opportunity.

“If we hadn’t gone there, maybe our level would have stayed the same. But this experience made us realize how much more we have to work and eventually earned a call-up to the first team.” The brothers grew up as Manchester United fans. (Photo: Special arrangement)

Tchörz’s decision to host the occasion reflected his wider belief that young Indian players need the right environment to develop. He argued that age alone should not determine a player’s worth, but that talent needs a platform to flourish.

“Obviously the most important thing for me is the quality of the player. I’m not necessarily talking about a player just because he’s young, but I see that especially in India there are a lot of young players with quality.”

“I think talent needs a platform if you want it to grow, and we understand that we have to provide that platform.”

The trip didn’t change Azhar overnight, but it gave him a clearer idea of ​​the level he wanted to reach. Back in India, he and Aimen worked harder and eventually earned a call-up to the first team at Kerala Blasters.

THE GAP IS STILL THERE

Azhar from Poland was left with not only the quality of football, but also the background for young players. He recalls youth teams that train on pitches and use facilities comparable to senior teams. In India, he found a big difference between the environments available to first-team players and youth players, with some training grounds not even safe.

He believes that the standard should be consistent throughout the club so that promotion to the senior team does not mean adapting to a completely different environment.

“I feel that the facilities should be at the same level for the first team, reserve team, youth teams and even junior teams. That way the players can experience the same standards during their development. When you go to the first team, you don’t feel like you’re entering a completely different environment or suddenly facing a lot more pressure to change facilities.”

Another gap he feels is the number of competitive games young players are getting. Much of his early experience came from friendly games, with the Reliance Foundation Development League being one of the few competitions to offer a regular Test.

“We need more games because training alone is not enough. When you play games, you understand your mistakes and realize what you need to improve. That’s how you develop as a player.”

Azhar has experienced the difference the right opportunity can make. His other goals are bigger. He wants to play for India and still dreams of a career in Europe.

When asked what he would say to his younger self, he answers simply.

“I would say thank you. If I had given up, I wouldn’t be here today.”

– The end