Sunil Chhetri greatest Indian striker now: Manolo Marquez
Kolkata: Within the lifeless of the evening and earlier than the warmth from an edgy encounter had dissipated, Manolo Marquez made an exception: converse concerning the nationwide crew as FC Goa coach. It could even be his first feedback explaining Sunil Chhetri’s inclusion within the India squad for the pleasant towards Maldives and the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier towards Bangladesh later this month.
In the mean time, Chhetri, 40, is the most effective Indian striker and he was included as a result of it offers India the most effective probability in a contest they should win to remain among the many Asian elite, stated Marquez. Which is why the 56-year-old Spaniard, who gained the ISL cup with Hyderabad FC in 2021-22, stated he spoke to Chhetri who had retired from worldwide soccer final June.
“Often when I’m in ISL, I don’t reply to questions on the nationwide crew. However, okay, it’s the finish of the common season,” he stated on Saturday evening after FC Goa’s 0-2 defeat to Mohun Bagan Tremendous Large at Salt Lake stadium right here.
“I do know that if the outcomes have been good for me in India it’s due to quite a lot of younger gamers. It’s not me, it’s we, the workers, at Hyderabad FC (his first task in India) after which FC Goa. However on this competitors, you have to win,” stated Marquez, referring to the Asian Cup qualifiers.
“We have to rating objectives. In my 4 video games with the nationwide crew, we scored two objectives: one from set-piece and one from open play. And you’ll see who the highest Indian scorer in ISL is: Sunil Chhetri. Who’s the second? Bryson Fernandes. Who’s the third? Subhasish Bose.
“I do know he introduced his retirement. Which is why I spoke to him personally. I do know it’s a troublesome state of affairs for him and a troublesome state of affairs for me,” stated Marquez.
Chhetri has 12 objectives and two assists going into Bengaluru FC’s final league match, at dwelling to Mumbai Metropolis FC on Tuesday, in ISL11. He’s second on the record of high scorers behind NorthEast United’s Alaaeddine Ajaraie who has 23 objectives and 7 assists and is the one Indian within the high 10. With seven objectives in 22 matches, Fernandes, used as a large participant by Marquez at FC Goa, is subsequent, adopted by Bose, Mohun Bagan’s skipper and left-back who has six objectives.
All three have been included within the squad for the 2 matches. India play Maldives on March 19 and Bangladesh on March 25. Each matches will likely be in Shillong.
“It’s true that there are some superb gamers, however they’re taking part in as wingers,” stated Marquez. “There are others who rating objectives coming from the bench. We want gamers who play commonly. Is Sunil good for India? One participant who’s 40 years previous. Let’ see. However in the intervening time he’s the most effective Indian striker. I believe there isn’t any doubt about this,” stated Marquez.
The qualifiers should not about trying out gamers after they’ve scored a couple of objectives, he stated. That may occur in competitions such because the SAFF Cup the place Marquez stated he wished to play an under-23 aspect. Whereas growing gamers, like he has at ISL golf equipment, for the nationwide crew is vital, Marquez stated, “we additionally want quick outcomes”.
India completed 2024 and not using a win from 11 matches, the final 4 of which got here beneath Marquez. He took over from Igor Stimac, who was sacked final June after failing to take the crew to the third spherical of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which might have ensured an automated berth within the subsequent Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
