We Need Players Who Can Score: Coach Marquez on Chhetri’s Return
The news of Sunil Chhetri returning from retirement has sent shockwaves across the Indian football fraternity, and the timing couldn’t be better with the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers opener against Bangladesh just around the corner. Chhetri’s return has raised hopes of a turnaround in India’s fortunes, and head coach Manolo Marquez has emphasized the importance of players who can score goals.
Speaking to the media, Marquez was straightforward in his assessment of India’s goal-scoring woes, stating that the team needs players who can find the back of the net consistently. “At this moment, the most important thing is to get results,” he said. India have managed to score just two goals in their last four games under Marquez, and the coach is well aware that the team needs to improve their goal-scoring record to compete with the best.
Chhetri’s return is a welcome boost for a team that has struggled to find the net. The 39-year-old veteran has been India’s all-time leading scorer with 84 goals in 125 appearances, and his experience and know-how could be the spark that India need to get their campaign off to a flying start. However, Marquez is under no illusions that Chhetri’s return alone will solve India’s goal-scoring problems.
“We need players who can score goals, not just one or two players,” Marquez emphasized. “We need a team that can score goals, not just rely on one or two players to score all the goals.” This is a crucial point, and one that Marquez has been working on with his squad. The coach has been trying to create a more balanced attack, with multiple players capable of scoring goals.
India’s recent performances have been plagued by a lack of clinical finishing, with many chances going begging. Marquez has been working on the team’s finishing skills, and the inclusion of Chhetri could help to bring a bit of much-needed experience and know-how to the attack. However, the coach is also aware that Chhetri’s return is not a guarantee of success, and that the team needs to work hard to get the best out of him.
“We need to work with Sunil, we need to work with the team, and we need to work together to get results,” Marquez said. “We can’t just rely on one or two players to score all the goals. We need a team that can score goals, and we need to work hard to get that.”
Chhetri’s return has also raised questions about his role in the team. Will he start games, or will he be used as a substitute? Marquez was coy on the subject, saying only that Chhetri would be an important part of the team’s plans. “We will see how we can use Sunil, but he will be an important part of the team,” he said.
India’s opener against Bangladesh is a crucial game, and one that the team needs to win to stay in contention for the Asian Cup. Marquez is aware of the importance of the game, and is urging his team to stay focused and work hard to get a positive result.
“We need to stay focused, we need to work hard, and we need to get a result,” he said. “We can’t afford to slack off, we can’t afford to make mistakes. We need to stay focused and get a result.”
In conclusion, Chhetri’s return is a welcome boost for India’s football team, but it’s not a guarantee of success. Marquez is aware that the team needs to work hard to get the best out of Chhetri, and that the inclusion of the veteran striker is just one part of the solution. India’s goal-scoring woes need to be addressed, and Marquez is working hard to create a more balanced attack that can score goals consistently.
