Sunil Chhetri ready to play in top European Leagues: Oscar Bruzon

Chhetri has scored an impressive six goals in just four appearances for Mumbai City this season

Mumbai City FC sit third in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table thanks to a Sunil Chhetri powered 5-1 thrashing of NorthEast United on Wednesday. Chhetri created history as he became the first Indian player to score a hat-trick in the ISL so far.

Chhetri’s performance not just got him the match ball but also helped him earn the praise of assistant coach Oscar Bruzon who declared that Chhetri is good enough to play in the top European Leagues.

“Majority of the foreign players who play in the ISL come from the top leagues in Europe and I feel Sunil is one over them. So yes, Sunil is ready to play in a top European League,” proclaimed Bruzon after his side’s win over NorthEast United.

Bruzon hailed Chhetri’s understanding of the game and his hard work both on and off the pitch which according to the Spaniard has made him the player he is.

“Sunil is very hard working. He is also smart and exactly understands the role of a midfield player. He also understands how to play as a striker, but we consider him a very important player for us in the middle of the park,” Bruzon said.

However, the former Sporting Club de Goa coach conceded that the team management did not see him as a central player to start off and had planned to use him on the left.

“Sunil has exceeded our expectations. I won’t lie, but we had planned to use him on the left side with Fanai who he plays with in Bengaluru FC, but Sony prefers to play on the left with him facing the goal, while Chhetri is effective both ways. So we use him in the centre,” revealed Oscar Bruzon.

Defensive work rate pleases Oscar Bruzon

Along with praising the goalscoring exploits of Sunil Chhetri, Bruzon also hailed the work rate and the understanding among his attacking players.

“I feel the most important thing which has impressed me the most about our attacking players is their work rate when we don’t have the ball. The three attacking players have shown great understanding while coming back to defend and that was key in our win against the NorthEast United FC,” said Bruzon.

Mumbai City FC now face Champions Atletico de Kolkata in their next game at home and Sunil Chhetri will be hoping to reproduce his success from the previous games.