Dubai Sunil Chhetri may be small in stature but his deeds are as large as they come in Indian football. The 27-year-old has been shouldering a lot of responsibility of late, what with the spate of retirements, not the least that of talismanic Bhaichung Bhutia. And speaking to XPRESS, the India skipper, who had to sit out the friendly against Azerbaijan this week due to an ankle injury said that he misses the senior players a lot."We won two Nehru Cups and one AFC Challenge Cup with those guys. It's sad that all of them had to retire so close to each other," he said, referring particularly to the retirements of Mahesh Gawali and Climax Lawrence closely on the heels of Bhutia.
"Personally, I miss all the senior guys with whom I have played for seven years. I wouldn't say the team misses them, for that would be unfair," he added.
Chhetri, who has scored 33 goals in 55 appearances for his country, also believes he can guide the new lot of youngsters. "I will do all I can to fill the void. I am trying the same with the juniors what the seniors did with us. They are all talented but tend to get nervous on big occasions.
potential is there
"Our next tournament is the AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal, with the winner qualifying for the Asian Cup. I can't say whether we can win the AFC Challenge Cup again with this new-look team but we have the potential and under coach Savio Madeira we have been making progress," he said.
The Indian footballer of the year, however wouldn't be drawn into comparing previous coach Bob Houghton with Madeira. "I have already been in trouble for supporting Bob after he was accused of racism. But I'd say that I do miss him a lot. Of course Savio, having been his assistant, is carrying on the good work," he said.
The striker also ruled out return to Major League Soccer, having had an unfinished season with the Kansas City Wizards. "I will try my luck again with Glasgow Rangers in the summer. The December trials didn't work out but I intend to play abroad in Europe, it doesn't matter where," he said.
roll of honour
Chhetri has won the Nehru Cup twice, in 2007 and 2009, the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 and the SAFF Championship in 2011
He was the AIFF Player of the Year twice in 2007 and 2011, AFC Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player in 2008, SAFF Championship Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament in 2011
