I want to change footballing scene in India: Michael Chopra

How does it feel to be the first person picked up at the international players draft of the Indian Super League (ISL)?
It felt amazing. When the draft was on, it was 5am in the UK and I was sitting and watching it live on TV. For me to be chosen first was special. There were many international players and really good ones and so to be picked first meant a lot to me. It showed that many people in India wanted me to come out there and play.

What made you want to come to India?
I've played football in England for 12-13 years and I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to go somewhere which was close to my heart and obviously, my dad being an Indian and having family there, was an opportunity to go to a country where I've never been and play football in a country where people want me to play. I Spoke to my dad and relatives about it, got a positive response and so I made up my mind to come to India.

What do you want to change about football in India?
I want to change the whole footballing scene. What's going on there, right from the youth to the national team. There are 1.2 billion people in India and the national team is ranked 150 in the world. That shouldn't be the case. We should be in top hundred. And I will do my best to improve all that. I will try setting up academies and grassroots programmes to help the young kids who want to play football. I want to give Indians the best opportunity to make it to international football. I hope my experience will help me do a good job.

What restricts footballers from coming to ply their trade here?
There's different culture and a lot more people in the city, things like that are going to be the challenge. It's a different lifestyle for me. I was planning to come here a year ago but it got cancelled in the last minute. For me, having my family in India, I'll be one step ahead.

How is the buzz about the ISL in footballing circles?
Well, you go back 3-4 months and nobody was talking about Indian football because there was only the I-League. I've been based in England and now everybody's talking about the ISL. They're talking about the players that are going there. People are also saying that this is the best thing that's ever going to happen to Indian football and it's a big thing for the future. It can only help India. It's going to be a delight for the fans. I mean, look at the players coming to play. You have David Trezeguet, Del Piero, Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, David James among others. These are real classy players and for fans to watch them play will be great for Indian football.

Apart from the extravaganza, do you think that two months are enough for the League?
It is enough. We talk about all the international players coming. The owners are mostly actors and businessmen so they know what's good for the League. And also, to set up a League in such a short time is great. I think it's going to work. We've seen short tournaments work, so why can't the Indian Super League work?

What quality does Indian football lack?
I don't think they lack quality. They're all pretty good players. I think what they need is to make football grow in India. I think that's the only thing lacking. They're not many people who want to join the I-League. Surely if international players like Ljungberg or Trezequet join the I-League, then others will follow suit. That's what the ISL is going to give the I-League. I've spoken to players in England and they're are asking me if they could join the I-league. So yeah, I think that the ISL will help the I-League and that will help football grow.

How does it feel to be in Sachin Tendulkar's team?
Sachin's a great ambassador for sport, not just in India but around the world. If anyone mentions cricket in England and they have to decide who's the best batsman, it's going to be Sachin Tendulkar. It'll only help football that a cricketer wants to help the sport and wants it to be on par with cricket. That'll be a great achievement if it happens.

Are you excited to team up with David James?
I've played against James a couple times. I've scored against him. It's going to be great. He's got a lot of experience. I'll be trying to learn with him because he's played with Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.

Know Chopra
Full name: Rocky Michael Chopra
Date of birth: December 23, 1983
Height: 5ft 9in

Teams played for
Newcastle United (2000-2006)
Cardiff City (2006-2007)
Sunderland (2007-2008)
Cardiff City (2009-2011)
Ipswich Town (2001-2013)
Blackpool (2013-2014)

Did you know?
In 2006, Chopra scored what was then the fastest goal by a substitute in Premier League history, scoring after being on the pitch for 15 seconds
With an Indian father, he was the first player of Indian parentage to play and score in the Premier League