Former Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia has admitted that he believes that the standards of the ISL have dropped this year. The 39-year-old was involved in a consultant’s role for Atletico de Kolkata till last year and openly commented on the decline in the quality of the football that is being played in the ISL this season.
"This year if you see the statistics, 37 lesser number of goals have come. At this stage goals scored were more last year," Bhutia said. "A lot of teams have been defensive in their approach. Also in terms of Indian players scoring goals, the number has been less which is not good news. There is not a single Indian scorer this year from ATK. Last year there were so many along with Chennaiyin (FC).
"I think more of the coaches this season have tried not to lose games. That's why there have been a lot of draws," Bhutia explained.
Bhutia also commented on the Goan clubs pulling out of the I-League as a protest to the AIFF’s plans to restructure the domestic league by merging the I-League and ISL. “It's sad that Dempo SC, Salgaocar, Sporting Clube de Goa have pulled out as they have been there since I made my debut especially Dempo.
“At the same time, if you look at the brighter side it's an opportunity for other teams to come in. Goan fans should have supported these teams like they support FC Goa,” he said.
The former Indian captain also said that he believes that every club deserves to play at the top level after there were rumours surrounding ISL being the first division while I-League was to be relegated as the second division of domestic football in India.
"Each and every club in India today has to have right to play the highest league. I think it's going to be a lot of give in the merger between all parties involved. Clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan has to be playing in the top division. How? It's for the ISL and I-League to decide," he said.
Bhutia hopes that India can pull off a good showing in the 2017 FIFA U-17 WC
Bhutia was all praise for the India U-16 team who are currently preparing for the U-17 WC to be held in India next year and said that the side is the most talented set of young players the nation has got.
“The preparation is great. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have provided great facilities. When Nicolai (Adam, head coach) took over, he did not feel the team is strong enough. I also felt the same. So he was sent scouting across the country,” he said.
"I am hopeful that we will give a good performance. This team is the best we got. The standards of the U-17 World Cup are very high. You see (Wayne) Rooney at 16 scored against Arsenal playing for Everton."
Bhutia finally said that coaching is a difficult job and that he was not currently looking at it as an option, clearing all the rumours surrounding his future involvement from the sidelines.
