Should Indian players grasp at the first opportunity to play abroad?

Romeo Fernandes played only 22 minutes in Brazil

Since India’s 2-1 loss to Guam in the second match of the World Cup Qualifiers, every football fan in the country has had their say on the result. With social networks going into meltdown, supporters of Indian Football used every possible phrase and adjective to voice their frustration about the result.

One of the biggest talking points after the game was the Persons of Indian Origin debate, with fans even starting an online petition in an attempt to force the government’s hand. Indian manager Stephen Constantine advocated the issue stating, “Guam used and quite rightly so 11 players who have had some experience in the US professional game, you can talk about what levels they were at but your average American see's his first coach at the many summer soccer camps around the country from the ages of 4-6.”

Indian origin player, Michael Chopra, had his say on Twitter where he urged the AIFF to push the issue for the players involved. Everything that can be said on the topic has already been said in every possible way.

However, in the last few days the same two people have talked about a different issue as well, with contrasting views.

Was Romeo’s transfer a waste of time?

Chopra in a recent interview was asked for his opinion on what Indian players should do if an offer came from abroad, he replied, “I think if they get an offer they should accept it as they might not get it again. That’s when they will test themselves to see how good they are.” Constantine, on the other hand, talking about Romeo Fernandes’ stint at Atletico Paranaense said that “the player has wasted 5 months of his football career for nothing.”

Chopra is correct in his own right as the exposure to a different league would definitely help the individual grow as an overall footballer. If a player gets an option to play in a league which has a better standard than the I-League he will benefit from going and playing for them. A new environment, new coaching methods, the pace of the game and an entirely different playing style could be instrumental in the growth of a footballer.

Romeo was scouted by Dempo at the age of 17 and at the Goan club he transformed into one of the best young talents in the country. He came into the limelight in last season’s Indian Super League (ISL), where he scored 3 goals in 11 matches for FC Goa. Brazilian Serie A side Atletico Paranaense came calling on Zico’s recommendation offering him an opportunity to become the first Indian to play in a top division Brazillian club.

However, he returned to India 3 months later as he wanted to play in the second edition of the ISL.

Transfers can have different impact on different players

A player can learn a lot in training, but if he doesn't actually apply things he has learned in a competitive match it does not mean anything. Take India’s two best players in the last two decades, Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri. Both had spells away from the Indian League at a better level. Both returned to play in India in their prime. But both reacted to the spells differently.

Bhutia returned to India after a 3-year spell with Bury where he played 37 times in the league scoring 3 goals. On his return to the national side following the transfer, he made 47 more appearances for the national team. He scored a further 16 goals at a rate of 0.34 goals-a-game.

Chhetri, on the other hand, did not play a single game in the league for Kansas City Wizards. On his return however he was a completely different player. He looked hungrier and was getting into better goal-scoring positions. After his return from America, Chhetri scored an incredible 28 goals in just 39 matches at a rate of 0.71 goals per game. Both players had spells abroad but Chhetri returned a better player than he was before even though he played for a shorter period of time.

Even in European football there are cases where a transfer has resulted in a player’s regression rather than his progression. Fernando Torres, for instance, was one of the deadliest strikers in the world when at Liverpool but following his £50-million move to Chelsea he became the laughing stock on the internet. Diego Forlan, on the other hand, had indifferent performances for Manchester United scoring is only 10 goals in 63 league appearances. On moving to Villarreal, he scored a massive 25 goals in his very first season.

Players need to think about all the factors involved in the transfer

When a player moves to a different club, there are a few details he must keep in mind before signing the dotted line.

Playing on a regular basis should be the first priority for a player. If he doesn't play regularly, he might as well stay in India because no matter much you train it doesn't really help you in a match situation. Fitness and Match fitness are two completely different entities with the latter being important in the sense that if he has to turn up for an important game for his country there must not be any rustiness.

The new club should be playing football at a decent level (at least a level above which Indian Football functions). Leaving Indian Football for a stint in the Malaysian second division club makes no sense. Even though he might learn a new system of play, it would not help his development to the extent that he might like.

Coming back to Romeo, it is too early to say whether his spell at Atletico Paranaense actually benefitted him in any way. He was at a club who are playing football in the top division of the Brazillian League, as such it was a very lucrative offer he received. Now following his return to India, it will be interesting to see his performances in this season’s ISL.