Chetri, on Friday, signed a four-year deal with USA’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team Kansas City Wizards.
After rewriting history by becoming the third-ever Indian footballer to sign up for an international club, Sunil Chetri has thanked national coach Bob Houghton for being one of the most important influences in his career.
Chetri, on Friday, signed a four-year deal with USA’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team Kansas City Wizards. The 25-year-old striker is yet to get his work permit and the transfer certificate, a formality which Wizards officials believe will be completed in four or five days time.
Chetri, meanwhile, acknowledged Houghton’s role in instilling self-belief in him to make it big. “Lots of people have played important roles. But the main person is Bob. He has given us hope and confidence to do well.
“He always says that we are better than what we think. He has made a lot of difference. Also Yogesh (Joshee, his agent) has played an important role,” Chetri told DNA via email. “I ought to thank all the people at Dempo. They are eying the title this year so to release me at this stage is really nice of them.”
The former Dempo striker trained with his teammates on Thursday but will be unavailable for Wizards’s season-opening match against DC United on Saturday.
Wizards coach Peter Vermes is optimistic that Chetri will be able to settle down for their next game against Colorado on April 10. “It is difficult for players to just come in and fit into the team. But it was great to see Chetri settling down with the team during trial. He also played a practice match,” Vermes said.
The Delhi lad, however, is hoping to make the most of this experience. “It is an important period for us as we will be playing the Asian Cup in January next year. My main aim is to learn as much as I can and give my best,” said Chetri.
He realises that this move has brought Indian football on the world map and hopes he will be able to justify it. “I know it’s a responsibility. But I want to take it easy. I don’t want to pressurise myself. I just want to enjoy, do what I know best. That is football…or soccer as they say here,” he said.
Happy with the facilities at the club, Chetri is trying to get used to the pace of the game. “I come from a league that is 132nd in the world and now I am playing in a league that is within the top 20. It’s speedie... better than India in all departments,” he said.
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