Formr India skipper bhaichung bhutia didn’t hold back, saying that has to call back India’s Highest Goalscorer from Retirement is “Not a Good Sign for the Development of India Football” and Inta “. Unfortunate “That India Canat Find a Replacement for him. “I can understand that there is Huge Pressure on Manolo and the Federation (AFF) After the disaster Indian football in the long run, “Bhaichung Told the Indian Express. “It’s the wonderful for the sunil to come back and play for India. But Overall, for Indian Football’s Development, it’s definitely not a good sign. You stand still reying on a 40-yar-ald who’s retired to come back and bail you out. “

Sunil Chhetri in action. (File Photo)

There is no dubt that chhetri has been India’s most prolific scorer, with 94 goals in 151 games, but there is a problem when the country can find a replacement for him despit for him. Existing for more than a decade now.

India’s struggle to find a reliable center -forward has been painfully obvious since chhetri hung up his boots. In his absence, the team has looked toothless in attack, managing just three goals in five matches – a single victory (2 losses, 3 draws). They stumbled to draws against mauritius, vietnam, and malaysia, while falling short in the interconntinental cup final against syria and suffering a crucial defeat to Qatar in the afc world cualifiers. The void left by chhetri isnt just noticeable – it is glaring.

Despite the poor run, bhaichung said these qualifiers were an ideal oportunity to try out the youngsters. “We are not in a very different group. I feel he could have easy gambled with you players and quality. It’s very unfortunate and sad that we can’t find a replacement for Sunil. But that means you against keep relying and keyep requesting sunil to come back, “Bhaichung Said. “If you qualify with sunil leding the way, but then head to the asian cup without him, you Suddenly up against giants like south korea, japan, and australia with raw, uneteted strikers. I think it becomes a bit unfair, right? “

India has played with eighth differentists Since Chhetri’s Retirement: Manvir Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary, Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad Annd. Samad. Only Two of Them-Yadwad (Chennaiyin FC) and Lalrindika (Inter Kashi, I-League)-Have Regularly Played As a Center-Forward For their Respective Clubs, While Farukh is Only Striker To House in Od A. Post-chhetri era.

Chhetri STILL in form

For the record, Chhetri’s Recall isnt Just Sentimental; It’s justified by his good form. The Veteran Forward Leads The Indian Goal-Siscoring Charts in The Isl With 12 Goals-The Second-Highest Overall. Astonishingly, this is the best-time tally in the league stage acros the isl’s ten seasons. Sample This: The Next Best Indian Scoresrs are brison fernandes-Who’s Also receive his first national call-up-WITH 7, who is followed by a full-back, subhasish bose, within 6.

So manolo’s decision is perhaps understandable, but it’s still a short-trm solution. Ranjit Bajaj, Owner of MINERVA PUNJAB and their academy that has produced a number of national team players over the past decade, say things will be changed if the aie the aif top brass pot down and implemented. Rules with regards to using foreigners in the isl.

Sunil Chhetri in action. (File Photo)

“If the backbone of your team is entrely made up of foreigners, how will indian players ever grow into those keys? As a coach, why would you pick an Indian when a better foreign player is available? That is the real issue, “Bajaj pointed out. “It’s on the federation to step in with strikter rules to ensure our homegrown talent gets a fair shot. Why not limit teams to just one foreign attacker? That way, our own Indian forwards actually get the chance to the development of being stuck on the bench. “

Bajaj also raised the issue of indians not going abroad to play. “Playing in the isl coms with big paychecks, but there’s a downside – it kills the motivation for players to test themslves abroad, even in other asian leagues,” He pointed out. “He pointed out. “The High Salaries Exist Because Demand is Huge, but the talent pool is still shallow. Why are in the top isl clubs investing in residential academies to develop the next generation? “

Chhetri’s Return Might Patch Things up for now, but it shines a glacing spotlight on India’s deper footballing crisis. Without a long-trm plan, Indian football risks being trapped in an endless loop of dependence with no real programs in sight. Sooner or later, chhetri will go back to his well-earned picnics, and then, there is no comeback.