Javier Siverio Exclusive: JFC striker on East Bengal Exit, Kolkata Derby, Bengali Food and ISL Playoffs

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Javier Siverio started the season as a Torch Bearer at East Bengal, but now has shifted a bit to the Western side to be a Red Miner as he represents Jamshedpur FC for the remainder of the season.

The Spanish striker is currently on loan with JFC from East Bengal and as the two teams clash together on Thursday, the 26-year-old sat with MyKhel for an exclusive chat and opened up on various aspects.

Amid the glory of East Bengal winning the Kalinga Super Cup, it was gloom for Siverio as he got the exit verdict from the club. And the player says the transfer to Jamshedpur was a swift process.

"It was a fast move. After we won the Super Cup, I knew that I was not in the plans of East Bengal. Jamshedpur FC called me and I didn't have to think too much. JFC suits me perfectly and very comfortable here," Siverio says.

He has seen the upside of the loan move early. The player, who never scored an ISL goal this season for East Bengal, has already netted one goal for his new team.

Siverio comes from a footballing family. The player says that his brother and father used to play football and it all came from here. He started his journey as a four-year-old and says he knew that football would be his profession a long time ago.

Siverio's move to the Indian Super League was a fruitful one. The Spaniard played for Hyderabad FC in the first two seasons and played a huge part in the Nawab's ISL victory. He scored 12 goals in 45 matches for them before making a move to East Bengal.

But the much-anticipated transfer to the Kolkata giants didn't work for him. Siverio could only manage two Kalinga Super Cup goals and then was surplus to requirements. Although the ISL performance was underwhelming, the Spaniard says he is happy with his contribution as an East Bengal player.

"It wasn't too bad. I was the top contributor in Durand Cup and scored two goals. In the ISL, I didn't play too much and didn't even reach 300 minutes. Also, in the Super Cup, I scored two goals and we [East Bengal] won the tournament. I wasn't as bad as many people think and I am satisfied with my job there. We won a title after a long time, so I am happy," Siverio explains.

Siverio is not entirely out of focus here. The player only played 293 minutes with East Bengal in the ISL, which only included two starts. The Spaniard also confirms that it was the East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat who decided to move him on.

"He [Carles Cuadrat] told me after the Super Cup that East Bengal were searching for other options and I accepted it and I am really happy here," Siverio confirms with a grin on his face.

Jamshedpur FC has turned things around this season after the arrival of Khalid Jamil. Siverio says the Indian coach has an attacking style of football which suits him more, contrasting with the defensive football that East Bengal often plays.

"The style of play here is different. Coach [Khalid Jamil] likes to attack and press the opponent. In East Bengal, they like to defend and play in counterattacks. For Strikers like me, this style suits me better," the Spaniard comments.

Siverio had a troubled time in Kolkata, but has only good things to say about the East Bengal fans. He says often the fans wanted a picture with him and the love he received from the Red and Gold faithful will forever remain in his heart. He also says the Kolkata derby and its atmosphere is something which he can keep with him going forward.

He also is in love with Indian food. The Tandooris, Butter Naan and several other Indian delicacies are favourites for the Spaniard. But when asked about tasting Bengali food during his stay in Kolkata, Siverio says he had no opportunity to try Bengali cuisine.

But amid the love, his next objective is a date with East Bengal. Siverio is fit and ready to play the Kolkata giants and Jamshedpur FC welcome them on Thursday. The player is kind of unfazed by the occasion and only has three points in his mind.

"It is another game. It is important and will be special as I have a lot of friends there. But we will go for three points and if we win, we will be closer to our target [ISL Playoffs]. They are also fighting for the Top Six and let's see if we can win it," the Jamshedpur FC striker says.

The staying facility at Jamshedpur FC is at their Flatlets, where all the players stay together. The Spanish striker believes the environment at his new club is the best to optimize the potential of a footballer.

"This is the best way in terms of facilities. You have everything here - Gym, Training Pitch, Pool and Food. You can have rest. For a football player, it is the best thing. Sometimes you may have to forget the football and go out, but as of now, the Flatlets has been perfect for me."

Siverio grew up as an Atletico Madrid fan but says he enjoys watching football of all the clubs nowadays. When asked about the objectives of the season, the player says reaching playoffs will be the main aim but being a striker, he knows the importance of personal numbers. A section of East Bengal fans have been supportive of the player but Siverio has given his verdict on a potential return to the Kolkata club.

"The first objective is to reach the playoffs. I am a striker and I know that the numbers are important. You need to score goals, get assists as the stats play a big part. Hopefully, I can help the team with that. My contract with East Bengal finishes at the end of the season and I don't expect to go back there."