Another season, another feather in the cap for Sunil Chhetri. The Bengaluru FC forward recently made history in September by surpassing Bartholomew Ogbeche as the Indian Super League’s (ISL) all-time top scorer. Chhetri scored his 64th league goal against Mohun Bagan Super Giant from the spot, which put him top of the goal standings in the league’s history.

Chhetri, who announced his international retirement in June, has been in sensational form for his club in the ongoing ISL season. He has four goal contributions in as many games this seasons, having chipped in with three goals and an assist. While Chhetri modestly downplayed his achievement, he expressed happiness about reaching this landmark.

“I'm happy and I celebrated because all those 64 goals are a product of a lot of people working hard. I genuinely mean it. A lot of team structure, different coaches and players have contributed to that number. So I'll take it on behalf of all of them,” he said to indiansuperleague.com after their away game against Mumbai City FC.

Chhetri has started all of his team’s matches this season and has contributed to four of Bengaluru FC’s goals, making him an important player. Currently Bengaluru FC top the standings, remaining unbeaten in their first four games and the Blues have had five different goalscorers contribute to their seven goals this season. Chhetri highlighted the competition for places within the team as a key factor behind their performances.

“You see Jorge Diaz coming on in the 60th minute or Ryan Williams nursing an injury but Sivasakthi (Narayanan) is coming in at the 70th minute and he is good. There’s a lot of competition in the attacking half of the pitch and it's always good. We have some really hungry players. The training is more often than not, feisty and it translates to a good, strong team on the pitch,” he said.

With three goals so far, Chhetri is just two shy of matching his tally from last season. He netted five goals in each of the past two seasons and four goals in the 2021-22 season, which has been below his usual standards. However, under head coach Gerard Zaragoza, the 40-year-old has found a new lease on life and is in excellent form.

Chhetri and Zaragoza previously worked together during the 2018-19 season when Bengaluru FC lifted the ISL Cup, with Zaragoza serving as the assistant coach. Chhetri is excited to work with the Spaniard again.

“He (Zaragoza) is good. Tactically, he is knowledgeable. We always knew that, even when he was here in the 2018-19 season, but now he has really matured as a head coach. His temperament, vision, the know-how of what he wants is very clear and the camaraderie he has with the players (makes him different). He looks 60 but is only 42. It’s a good atmosphere at the club,” Chhetri answered.

Zaragoza took charge of the team midway last season and led the club to some promising results at home, where they lost just one game at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium under his leadership. However, they couldn’t replicate the same results away from home which resulted in their exit from the playoff during the business end of the season as the Blues finished 10th in the standings.

After bolstering their squad during the summer, Bengaluru FC have emerged as one of the teams to beat this season. Not only have they scored goals and secured results, but they are yet to concede a goal. One of their key signings, Rahul Bheke, has rejoined the club and become a leader in defense, contributing a goal while helping the team maintain four clean sheets.

When asked about what’s different from last season, Chhetri responded: “We’ve got the players now. It’s one thing to have your way of playing, but this season, he (Zaragoza) had the time to build up the team and get the players he wanted. It’s never easy for a coach to come in between and work. No matter who you are as a coach, which team you take in, it’s never easy. But this year, he had the time and we got some champion players. How we got Rahul (Bheke) back is beyond me. (Alberto) Noguera, Diaz.. champion players from a champion team (Mumbai City FC), so we’re really thankful and we’re happy.”