Manager Constantine hails Chhetri's dazzling display of creative football in India's 4-1 win over hapless Puerto Rico, but says striker needs to stay in shape to continue playing at top level
Calling Sunil Chhetri the team's "talisman", national team manager Stephen Constantine said the poacher can play for 4-5 years at the top level provided he kept himself fit. Chhetri played a stellar role in India's 4-1 rout of higher-ranked Puerto Rico in the international friendly here on Saturday.
Stephen Constantine
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"Sunil Chhetri is the talisman of this team. He is a wonderful player. He has been scoring goals for the last 10 years. I keep teasing him, saying 'your time is almost done', but he's not having that. He says he has another 4-5 years in him," said Constantine after India's key player set up two goals and scored one in a dazzling display of creative football at Andheri Sports Complex that hosted its first major game.
Fitness matters
"But look, he keeps himself in great shape. He is one of the leaders of the team, the captain. And as long as he's fit, he plays," said the Englishman after India, ranked 152 on the FIFA table, humbled Puerto Rico, ranked 114, by coming back from a goal down.
Constantine also said that Chhetri, the regular captain who gave away his armband for the game in favour of Norway-based goalie Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, can play in multiple positions up front.
India's Sunil Chhetri (left) tries to dribble the ball past Puerto Rico's Juan Velez during the friendly at Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai on Saturday. Pic/AFP
"A player of his calibre, you have to find the space for him. For me, his place is behind the striker. He brings other people into the game. He has an eye for goals, he sees the pass, and he works. It's not like he's walking about. Personally, I like to play him behind the striker," said the coach.
No fixed slot for Chhetri
"However, there is no lock on his position. In some games, I like him on the left or the right, but at this point in his career, I see him playing behind the striker," he added in praise of the country's highest goal-scorer.
The Englishman said winning just one game against Puerto Rico wouldn't change India's FIFA rankings. "I hate losing. So, whenever we win, it's okay. Apart from the result, we got to play. We need to play internationals to climb up the rankings. Winning one game won't help. Beating Puerto Rico, who are above us in the rankings, would help but we need more. That's what I'm trying to do."
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