Legendary Indian football player Bhaichung Bhutia made a strong declaration about the likelihood of young Indian players joining the Premier League scene outside. In an open conversation with NDTV at an event honoring the collaboration between Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) and Premier League powerhouse Southampton on the growth of grassroots football in India, Bhutia did not rule out the prospect of Indian players joining Southampton’s football ecosystem directly. Additionally, he repeated the remarks made by India’s head coach Manolo Marquez, stating that it is imperative to inculcate in young Indian football players the desire to travel outside.
“A remarkable skill must exist. We must begin using merit to qualify for the U17, U19, and U21 World Cups. The goal is to send a highly skilled player to the Premier League to play for a team like Southampton, Bhutia stated.
The first-ever football player to score 100 goals in the Premier League from midfield, Matt Le Tissier, of Southampton, said that the cooperation was intended to help Southampton as well.
This is among the partnership’s objectives. Long-term benefits for Southampton might also result from some of the gifted players we aim to develop,” Le Tissier stated.
“Hopefully this is a long-term partnership that helps both Indian football and Southampton,” Le Tisser stated.
Manolo Marquez, the head coach of India, has previously made it clear that he wants Indian football players to leave their comfort zone and play overseas, especially in the Indian Super League (ISL). Bhutia said the same ideas again.
“We must first acknowledge that Indian football is still in its infancy as a national sport. In order for any nation to prosper, we must ensure that athletes are participating outside of India.
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