Till the time I add value to the team, I will be at Bengaluru FC: Sunil Chhetri
Chhetri discussed his future plans and his goals with Bengaluru FC for the upcoming season.
Bengaluru FC forward and Indian football legend, Sunil Chhetri, is determined to prove his worth again in the upcoming season to help the Blues reach new heights.
The 2018-19 Indian Super League (ISL) Cup winners experienced a disappointing campaign in the previous season, as they finished tenth in the league standings. The Blues look to start afresh in the new season under Spanish head coach Gerard Zaragoza, who took charge of the team midway during last season.
Bengaluru FC have undergone numerous changes in their squad, especially with respect to their foreing players. The club has already roped in Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Alberto Noguera, and Edgar Mendez following the departure of Javi Hernandez, Slavko Damjanovic, and Oliver Drost. Australian defender Aleksandar Jovanovic and forward Ryan Williams are set to continue with the club for the forthcoming season.
The Blues have recently started their pre-season after revealing their new signings in an exciting fan event named BFC Open House on Sunday. Zaragoza is all set to kickstart his first full-season as head coach with the Blues, and the Spaniard expressed optimism about the team putting in their best performances and fighting for titles.
Sharing insights into the message that the head coach delivered to his squad on the very first training season, Chhetri remarked, “He (Gerard Zaragoza) said that we must work hard to get in the team. That creates a healthy atmosphere.”
“Generally, head coaches are nice with their words on day one, but he came in and told us about the competition (for places); that is the way he wanted it,” he was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Non-stop! 🔥
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) July 10, 2024
The Blues have put in a final shift at their training facilities in Bengaluru, before heading off to the state-of-the-art facilities of @IIS_Vijayanagar for a pre-season camp. #WeAreBFC pic.twitter.com/3eaxkeQN4G
The 39-year-old Indian international recently announced his retirement from international football in June. However, the forward will continue with Bengaluru FC for the coming season.
Chhetri, who achieved several glorious feats in national team colors, played his last game against Kuwait in Kolkata, where the Blue Tigers played out a goalless draw.
Speaking on his decision to hang up his boots for India, Chhetri said, “With the national team, I think I did it (retirement) at the right time. It has given me a lot of perspective. So, I just want to come and enjoy it.”
Now focusing solely on club football, Chhetri aims to be involved with the squad as long as he continues to make a difference.
“I have no idea as to how long I will play. Lot of it will depend on what value I bring to the team,” Chhetri explained.
“That is one of the most important criteria because of the kind of life I have lived in football, especially at this club. This is my club. I don’t want to be here if I don’t add value. Till the time I add value to the team, I will be here; that is one of the criteria; next is family…,” the veteran signed off.