'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAmx3/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAEf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAADf/xAAgEAABAwQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEABESEwVRMUGB/9oACAEBAAE/ACiPC41tbrZ3Pu6bKAIxwyKhbx19pcCSFEBHvsV//8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECIf/aAAgBAgEBPwC8Z//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAf/aAAgBAwEBPwAnFf/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indian Super League, since it's inception in 2013, has witnessed some tremendous rise in football talent across the country with youngsters stepping up to the plate with one aim, to shape their fledgeling career and don the national colours one day.
Apart from the mix of national superstars and prodigious Indian talent, the league's flair has only increased with the infusion of foreign players who have brought their experience to the fore and helped influence the team's style of play, adding an exciting new dimension to each team.
One amongst the many imperative additions to the Kerala Blasters was ex-Manchester United legend Wes Brown, who arrived in India with buckets of experience under his belt. The 38-year-old defender represented the Blasters in 13 games until they missed out on the play-offs scenario.
Sportskeeda caught up with Wes Brown in a candid chat that encompasses the right back's journey in Manchester United colours and his opinion on the meteoric rise of Indian football. Here are some excerpts from the interview.
Q. How would you rate your first stint at the Indian Super League?
A. When we first came in, we knew that it was going to be a little bit different. We knew it would not be the Premier League standard because that is the elite stage. However, I'm very happy with what we played for in the previous season and I really loved representing the Blasters.
Q. What would you point out as the shortcomings in the Blasters' failure to qualify for the semi-finals?
A. In a game of football, it is obviously very important to score and clearly, we didn't score many goals throughout the season. Iain Hume getting injured in the midway stage did not help our cause either as he is our main striker and an excellent finisher. We did have our opportunities right through the league but we could not convert them and in that sense it was disappointing.
Q. Which ISL team has impressed you the most this season?
A. Bengaluru FC played an excellent brand of football right throughout the season and I guess they also were my favourite team in the tournament. Sunil Chhetri was undoubtedly the best player for me with his mix of experience and skill. You could see what he brought to the team and he really stood out for me.
Q. How would you compare the Manchester Derby to the Kerala Blasters v Bengaluru FC derby?
A. It was honestly brilliant. When both our teams locked horns, the stadium was absolutely jam-packed, which was brilliant to see. I loved the response of the crowd and when we played BFC, they were already on top of the league so it was quite tough! (Laughs).
Q. It isn't any closed secret that Sir Alex Ferguson was not the calmest of managers. How would you react to his sudden bouts of anger?
A. Everyone thinks he's always angry but that's not the case. He knew what he wanted out of us and so he got the best out of everyone by combining all of our skill sets. He wasn't necessarily shouting all the time but on the flipside, he was constantly advising us which translated to results on the field.
Q. Can you run us through the dressing room atmosphere during half-time of the 1999 Champions League final?
A. Yeah, I clearly remember we weren't playing very well. Bayern were 1-0 up and all the manager did was give us some pep talk and a certain amount of wisdom for each player on the team. The second half obviously went in our favour and I can tell you that before the second half started, we had the confidence that we were going to score.
Once we did score, we knew we were then going to win the game. I can't really give you a logical explanation why, but we knew we had it in us to go the distance.
Q. If you were to pick a five-a-side team comprising of the current crop of Manchester United players, which five would make your side?
A. I'd obviously pick David De Gea, Pogba and Bailly. I'd like to pick Valencia but I guess I would incline towards picking the nippy pair of Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez to combine to form a strong attack.
