There is no better defender than Rahul Bheke in India: Erik Paartalu

 

Former Bengaluru FC player Erik Paartalu reckons there is no better defender in India than Rahul Bheke. The 31-year-old Bheke has impressed while playing for Mumbai City FC and had played an instrumental role in the success of the team during their campaign in the 2020-21 season.

Bheke has impressed while playing in the AFC Champions League and he has been a standout player for the Islanders. Meanwhile, Erik Paartalu shared the pitch with Bheke when both of them played for the Blues.

While speaking to Injury Time India, the Australian said, “For me, Bheke is the best Indian I’ve played with, and you only got to look at his record. What he’s done at the AFC Champions League game. He scored in the Super Cup final and scored a goal in the ISL final too. Also, the first Indian to score in the Champions League. When you watch him play, he looks very graceful.”

Bheke has been magnificent for Mumbai Indians and he has delivered the goods in the crunch situations of the big matches.

Meanwhile, Bheke had scored for Bengaluru FC in the ISL final of 2019 against FC Goa as he found the back of the net in the extra time.

The Australian added that Bheke is built differently from other Indian players as he has a lot of muscle.

“He’s got a body that it looks as though it hasn’t been built here. And that’s not been disrespectful. But you can see, he has a lot of muscle and the way he controls and glides with the ball. It’s something you can’t even be taught. He just has an ability and confidence that you don’t expect when you see him receive the ball. You’re gonna go and close him down. I’m going to get the ball and he just somehow gets the ball. So as a defender, I don’t think there’s better than him in the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC couldn’t qualify for the semifinal stages as they finished in fifth place in the standings. On the other hand, the club registered two wins in the AFC Champions League.