Manvir Singh has made his presence felt in FC Goa’s successes over the last few seasons in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). He has gained a reputation for being the perfect super-sub and scored twice after coming off the bench last campaign. The versatile attacker already has 47 appearances in the Hero ISL and he feels that playing in different positions has helped his development as a player. 

“Playing in your natural position always gives you a lot of confidence. There is always match pressure, playing in one’s position makes you comfortable. But playing for the team helps a player to develop his composure. If anything, I think playing in different positions at Goa has helped me a lot because I can easily fit anywhere in any team, be in the national team or club,” Manvir said in an interview with thebridge.in.

That said, he made it clear that filling in at various positions for club and country isn’t always easy. “If you play in one particular position in the ISL for eight months straight and after that you come to the national team where you are made to play a different position, it will be hard for you to bring out your best. Because you have not played that position for the last eight months,” Manvir explained.

The 24-year-old also opened up on how he’s missed football during the COVID-19 pandemic enforced lockdown and is raring to return to training. “I have definitely missed football in this lockdown. The pre-season would have started by now if the situation was normal like every year. Nevertheless, I have continued with my normal basic training as the situation was never so bad in my village,” Manvir said.

“I did my practice sessions... now, I am eager to start with my pre-season training. Training with the club is completely different. I am hoping that things get back to normal soon and we can prepare for the upcoming season,” he added.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Manvir admitted that he hopes for more game time and will be striving to improve. “My priority at this moment is to do well in training sessions and grab as much game time as possible. I want to be better than last season and make a place for myself in the team and I am working towards that,” he said.