The post-Sunil Chhetri era: What would happen to the Indian setup after Chhetri retires?

The post-Sunil Chhetri era: What would happen to the Indian setup after Chhetri retires?

In the Indian National football team setup, one of the recurring problems has been the lack of typical target-man-like strikers who can get goals every other match. Despite their being legends like I.M. Vijayan, Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri, India have always missed a catalogue to choose players from.

Bhutia and Chhetri have bailed India a lot by carrying the team by creating and scoring themselves, and it was their partnership that was somewhat fearsome from the Indian side. After Bhutia’s retirement, it was all down to Sunil Chhetri, and not only he filled the boots, but has raised the bar to a level where it seems no Indian will be able to reach.

Chhetri, who is 36, is currently third in the list of active goal-scorers, trailing just behind the two greatest players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. But Chhetri’s retirement is inevitable and fast approaching, and it will leave such a void that would not be filled if the new crop doesn’t turn up the game.

FS Video

Baichung Bhutia’s take on Indian team after Sunil Chhetri

https://youtu.be/PTGatwk2s-w

The former Indian captain said that it is a big worry as there is nobody after Sunil Chhetri that can make such an impact. Bhutia said, “Lack of strikers is a problem. It depends on the clubs because everyone is facing this problem. Yes, there will be (a dearth post Chhetri). It is a big worry because after Chhetri there is nobody else. We need to focus more on the strikers from the grassroot level. Special training program for strong attacking technic from the grassroot.”, talking about this situation last year.

Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh are among players that spring to mind as players who might have established a solid front-half combination with current skipper Chhetri. However, both failed to make the effect that was anticipated of them, and Bhutia believes injuries played a part.

How will India tackle the Chhetri-less situation?

Indian head coach heaped praise on Sunil Chhetri few days back and said, “What are we going to do then if he retires? By far, in every training session, he (Chhetri) is our best player.” It is definitely a problematic situation to be in as a legend would leave but when no one is capable to fill those boots.

Jeje Lalpekhlua was tipped to be the successor a couple of years ago, but his terrible form and injury concerns have him out of favor in the national team. Moreover, his age does not help him in taking the tag of the replacement.

Players like Anirudh Thapa, Udanta Singh, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary and Manvir Singh are tipped to be the void fillers and if any one of them can carry on from where Chhetri will leave, India will have a comparatively more comfortable transition in the future. But the reality has been negative and none of them have been able to show any spark as all of them have scored only 6 goals combined for the senior team, which leaves India worrying in a bad situation.

Also read: FIFA 22: Top 5 highest rated Indian players in the game