ISL Standard Continues to Rise, Motivating Indian Football Talent: Sunil Chhetri
Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri applauds the growing quality of the Indian Super League (ISL), motivating aspiring players and drawing praise from fellow footballers.
Sunil Chhetri, the captain of Bengaluru FC, has lauded the increasing level of football in the Indian Super League (ISL), emphasizing its role as a source of motivation for aspiring young players looking to secure a spot in the Indian national team.
Chhetri, the highest-scoring Indian player in the history of the league, highlighted the development of young talents like Sandesh Jhingan, who have honed their skills by competing in the ISL.
Speaking to ISL, Chhetri stated, “Every year, as the league becomes more competitive, it benefits every player aspiring to represent the country.”
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He continued, “The standard of the league is steadily rising, with the arrival of better players each year. Sandesh (Jhingan) is a prime example. He improved as a young player competing against talents like Coro, (Barth) Ogbeche, and Miku. The comprehensive and scientific training methods are a significant boon for young players.”
Chinglensana Singh, a defender for Hyderabad FC, echoed Chhetri’s sentiments, highlighting the positive impact of training alongside foreign players on the development of Indian talents.
“I believe the ISL has done remarkable work over the last 10 years,” Singh commented. “When the ISL came into the picture, it led to significant development among Indian players. The quality of players we compete with greatly benefits domestic players, and you can witness the results in the performance of national team players.”
Singh, like Jhingan, entered the ISL as a young player and has since established himself as one of the premier center-backs in the country. In the upcoming season, he will assume the responsibility of leading the Hyderabad FC defense, further honing his organizational and leadership skills on the field.
Bengaluru FC’s head coach, Simon Grayson, who is entering his second season with the team after guiding them to the ISL final last campaign, anticipates a more challenging season ahead. With teams strengthening during the transfer window, those who missed the playoffs last season are eager to make amends in the 2023-24 season.
“With BFC, we have a history of winning titles. There’s no point in entering the tournament if you don’t believe you can win the title,” Grayson asserted. “This ISL season promises to be one of the most competitive. We have set our sights on the big trophy.”
He added, “Our talented youngsters will play a significant role in our success this year. It’s a testament to our academy system that Sivasakthi and Roshan Singh received emerging player awards.”
The tenth season of the ISL is scheduled to commence on September 21, with Bengaluru FC facing rivals Kerala Blasters FC in an eagerly anticipated match in Kochi.