KOCHI: Addressing the media for the first time after his arrival in India for the Indian Super League season, former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov on Tuesday urged Indian footballers to test themselves in more competitive leagues around Europe “without the fear of failing”.
“I see young players who have good potential to grow, but need someone to guide them in the right direction,” said the Kerala Blasters star in Kochi. “You need to have ambition. It’s easy to play in your home country, but you should get out of our comfort zone by playing outside,” he said.
“Hopefully one day, Indian players will go to Europe because that is where the best football is played. If you want to test yourself, you want to play against the best,” Berbatov said. “The ISL is in its fourth year and Indian football can only grow from here. And it will be great if someone makes it to a big club in Europe,” he added.
The Bulgarian hitman might be out of action as he has been nursing an injury he sustained against FC Goa and is only expected to return against Bengaluru FC on New Year’s Eve. But Berbatov feels he has a role to play in India even when he is sitting on the sidelines.
“I want to teach young players in the squad how football is played at the very top level. And it is not even with what I do on the pitch. It is the way I carry myself outside... like what I eat, how I prepare for training — small things like that which are very important to make a good footballer,” he said.
The No 9 will turn 37 in January, but his shirt number and his role in the team is a mismatch as we have seen him in a deeper midfield role in the Kochi side so far this season. “When you start to get older, you see football from a different angle. Even during training at United and Spurs, sometimes I played in midfield and defence to get a different perspective,” he said.
“At this age, I prefer a deeper role to control and make more touches on the ball. That doesn’t mean that if I have a chance, I am not going to try and score,” Berbatov noted. “My dad (Ivan who used to play for CSKA Sofia) was a forward who moved to midfield and defence as he got older. Maybe I will also do the same,” he said.
Having shared a dressing room with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in Manchester, Berbatov has had to adapt to the standards of the game in India. “I can see it’s different from what I used to play. But it is good. I don’t have anything to prove anymore. So, I just try to enjoy as much as I can,” said Berbatov who has not hidden his frustration during matches at times.
“It’s normal. When you are emotional and want to win, you show emotions. Sometimes, you over-dramatise. Sometimes, it might not be good for you or your teammates. But other times, it gives you the drive to win the matches,” the Bulgarian said.
adwaidh@newindianexpress.com