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| Edited By: Taus Rizvi |Source: DNA |Updated: Sep 30, 2017, 10:13 AM IST
A lot of stuff has been happening since I arrived from England. I went to the hotel, took rest and then went to the mall, which was a great experience. Met some of the fans, spoke with Robin Singh, one of the young football talents. Then went straight to stadium. It was a different type of atmosphere. As the World Cup is going to happen here, the U-17 one, some of the stadiums were not available because they are preparing for it. It is an amazing thing for you guys. The buzz is good for the youngsters, U-17 is going to be a good tournament. I was happy to meet old guys yesterday (Tuesday) whom I used to play with – Diego Forlan. He scored the winner for Mumbai. Everything has gone too quick and then came to Mumbai. I also got a chance to meet the owner of the league (Nita Ambani). Amazing woman. What she is doing now for the sport in your country is amazing.
These are one of the games where you don't need any type of special preparation. Everybody lets you know about Clasico, whether it's Spain or England when El Classico is on. That is one of the games which defy logic because it's 'I don't care what you do, you know that the El Clasico is on'. You know exactly what you are going to do. So, we were aware of that. You also know that most of the time when you win that game, you end up winning that title. You stop their momentum or they are going to stop our momentum. It is a particular game. Prepare tactically, but that extra part you said is because of the magnitude of the game.
Grassroot is, for me, the most important thing. I mean don't get me wrong. It is important to raise awareness by bringing some international players and international coaches. I think it is important for the youngsters to learn alongside those players, alongside those coaches, who are in this league. I think the future of this country, the league and the football is in this country's grassroots and youth. It is as simple as that. I understand raising around, you need that at the beginning of the league to make people talk about the league. But what is going to make this league big and successful is youth, a lot of youngsters coming through and learning the game the right way.
Oh! A lot of stuff. A lot. It is not so much about what you can do or not do. I won't point at a certain level. A lot of strikers can finish a certain way. The difference is how you see it. How you execute it or how calm can you be. What's difficult for the game is, it's never the same picture that you see. I look at you and if I turn, then the defender is not at the same position. What do I see, how can I analyse what's in for me very quickly. When the ball is travelling, can you already see what you are going to do? So can you already picture the goal that you are trying to score? That is, when the ball comes, you already know what you are going to do. You have a lot of strikers thinking about how they are going to go while they are trying to score. Most of the time, I used to try to see who is moving where and how to make sure I can plan my goal. Sometime, it's instinct, I am not going to lie. It's the instinct finish. But most of the times, you see a lot of strikers some times in that situation when the ball is travelling, losing their way in what they are trying to do because they are thinking about it while they are doing. So, you have to think about it before you do it. The ability to do it also comes in the equation. Most of the times, it is about how quick your brain can react. When you have risen to a certain level, quality is there. People can jump the same way. Speed, may be not. If you are a good striker, you should know how to turn yourself, it's about vision, it's about how quickly you react. And, how quick your brain can be in such a situation. That always sounds easy but it's not that easy unless you feel and manage to do that. Plan before, see before, then you will execute it better.
I never do that. I always tried to be the best that I could have been. People always talk (about rating) and that is ultimately up to them to think whatever they want to. One thing is when you play in the team, what you want is to make sure that you can help your team and try not to let them down. That is the most important thing.
Yeah. I think not only that (but also) the role of No. 9 has changed because if you see back in the 1980s and early 90s, where the striker wasn't really getting involved in the build up. The game is always evolving. It is good as it keeps us always on the toes. Strikers are different. Back in those days, strikers were playing under last man all the time, never coming short. Now, the striker wants to come short. Most of them, Suarez still goes behind. Back in those days, strikers would always be running behind, playing always off-side line. Ultimately, it's up to what the bosses are doing and changing the tactics. But the thing I have recently seen is a lot of teams are trying to go back to playing with two strikers.
Five teams have one point, if I am not mistaken. They are all in it somehow. It is very difficult. Manchester City looked good in the first games. Now, they are struggling a bit. Arsenal didn't look good in the first few games, now they look okay. Chelsea, they are starting to understand what Conte wants in terms of what assistant is asking to play. Hmmm, Liverpool has been consistent in the way especially they play games away from home at the very beginning over the Arsenal, winning at Chelsea, getting a draw at Tottenham. So, yeah, it's going to be a tricky one and as an Arsenal player would want it to win the title. It is going to be a proper battle and not between (just) one or two teams.
What the boss did for the club is just outstanding. Changing the way of playing. Arsenal is well synchronised now. You mentioned Arsenal, we think of playing football underground and good football. It did change the way the club is moving to the new stadium. A lot of stuff is turning around. When you think about Arsenal, you always think about Arsene. It will be great if he wins the title for club, fans and himself this season.
It's the massive work he has put in. His first season, he didn't really play with us. I think I was around with him for a year. He has been at the club for 10 seasons now. It's time for him to deliver a complete season. He was stopped because of injuries a couple of times. Good 36, 37, 38 games where he can be good for the club would be amazing. He is working well.
You try to eat well. Try to go to the gym whenever you can.
That's how my life has been for a long time. You need to make sure that you take care of yourself. Because, once you do it for so long, you take it for granted to exercise because it has been my life. It was always more difficult for an athlete to just stop totally like that. You see some of them losing shape and after that it's difficult to get it back. So you need not stop. It's not easy at times, I am not always free, I am actually busier now than during the time when I was a player. It is just you try to battle with your brain and tell it that you still can. Every human being should go to gym, try to take care of their body. We all do sports, some take it professionally, some don't. What I am saying is it's just normal process for any human being to exercise. I think it's healthy not only because of the way you can look but you need to exercise so that you not get any surprises along the way.
They are just special touches for me, private ones. Lots of stories to them, but they are mine.
That's something I always wanted to do. I am a second assistant. When I meet guys I have played with and who are now coaches, I ask them for tips. The boss (Wenger) himself. Talking about some stuff. Ask boss or Pep questions. I always ask for any tips and also remember what they did themselves.
Anything can happen now. Bengaluru are to play the finals of AFC. To get the need to be known is to be successful. I want to know what it is. France had their moment in 1984 (UEFA Cup winner, their first major championship) and it is their No. 1 sport. For you, cricket is the No. 1 sport. If the youngsters see the game is successful, future will get better in it. It's important that every game is on TV. For kids, it is important to do, to see what they can do or achieve. In terms of how they can improve if they have right coaches. 1.2 billion (phew). Again, you can mention Iceland or Holland. It has a population as much as your Mumbai. You see, Holland invented total football. If you put your mind into something, then it can happen. Everything will go well, if it is planned well.
