As Delhi football strives to return to its fold after a few high profile tournaments, clubs and local players are finding it difficult to find out the reason of the delay in the inter-club transfers that is otherwise completed by the month of August.

Joint champions Indian Nationals, after a first-round exit in the Durand Cup, are still struggling to form the core, which joint coach Tarun Roy feels is incomplete without a few Delhi players, especially for the city league.

“Our show in the Durand Cup exposed our weaknesses. But we need to plug the holes now and we need local players for the DSA League. This delay in the transfer window is not going to give the boys enough time to prepare for bigger tournaments like the Federation Cup and the I-league qualifiers,” Roy says.

Another problem, Roy feels, will be the lack of match practice for those who have already committed, but awaiting the window to complete the formalities.

“A major problem this delay has resulted in is uncertainty. The clubs and players aren’t sure about their commitments. Without a complete team we can’t participate and the boys will lose motivation if they keep on practicing for long without any competition. We had to give the Bardeoly Trophy in Assam a miss due to this,” Roy adds.

A senior player waiting for the inter-club transfer window, on conditions of anonymity, says: “I’m not getting the money I’m supposed to get. The club isn’t sure whether I’ll stay because I’m still open to get a better deal. The situation has left both us and the players confused,” he says.

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