Exclusive: India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua- 'Dempo will be a new challenge'

Jeje Lalpekhlua (Image Credit: AIFF Media)

In recent times, Jeje Lalpehlua has been the only Indian striker who has looked like matching the standards of Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri.

The Mizoram lad has represented the national team at various age-group levels, and made a superb start to his international career with four goals in three matches at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers two years ago.

However, following a knee injury in the 2011-12 season, Jeje missed out on the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup final rounds and hasn’t been at his best ever since his recovery. His final two seasons at Pune FC didn’t go according to plan and the 22-year-old needed a fresh start in his career.

As a result, Jeje accepted the offer from five-time record I-League champions Dempo, where he will be reunited with Australian coach Arthur Papas, who made him the captain of the India U-22 side last year.

“I had a memorable spell with Pune FC and will never forget their contribution in my career but I needed a new challenge. So I accepted the opportunity to join Dempo and it will be great to play under a great coach like Arthur Papas again. It hasn’t been easy after coming back from the injury but I have put all that behind me now and looking forward to have a good season with Dempo,” Jeje told Sportskeeda in an exclusive chat.

Jeje was Pune FC’s first-ever signing and the striker spent five years at the club over two spells. In between, he spent one season on loan at AIFF’s developmental team Indian Arrows and he believes that stint was one of the most important stagesof his career.

“The one season I spent with Arrows was a massive part of my development. After playing well for Arrows, I got selected to play for the senior national side and I would say it was an important period for my teammates also as even the likes of Jewel Raja, Raju Gaikwad got noticed while representing the Arrows,” he stated.

While playing for Arrows, Jeje scored 13 goals in the 2010-11 season and remains the last Indian to reach double figures in the I-League. The former India youth international reckons the new rule of allowing four foreigners in the starting eleven will make it even more difficult for Indian strikers to get regular first-team action.

“It is always good to have competition with foreigners but the new rule makes it even more difficult for Indian forwards. Most clubs would now prefer having two foreign strikers and that is why I feel Arrows was very important for so many of us as we got to play regularly in the I-League,” he added.

Dempo, though, are unlikely to sign a fourth foreigner any time soon as they want Papas to get the best out of several highly talented Indians that they have in their roster.

“It’s great that the club are having this approach and I believe we have the right balance of foreign and Indian players. My aim and dream now is to win the I-League with Dempo,” Jeje commented.

Reunited with Arthur Papas (Image Credit: AIFF Media)

The Cristiano Ronaldo fan also revealed that he had an offer to play in IMG-Reliance’s IPL-style proposed tournament. But being in the I-League was always his priority.

“Yes I had an offer to play in the new tournament but for me the most important thing was to play in the I-League and have a good season so that I can maintain my place in the national team. Hence there were no second thoughts when Dempo approached me,” said the player who has signed a two-year deal with the Goan giants.

‘Must win SAFF Cup’

At international level, Jeje has an excellent return of eight goals in 16 appearances but all those appearances came in 2011. He hasn’t played for the national team for 18 months now although he was in the squad for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers.

Even after recovering from the knee injury, he had another minor setback before the 2012 Nehru Cup and missed that tournament. But Jeje is back in Wim Koevermans’ plans and following the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2014 Challenge Cup, the Mizoram lad is eyeing SAFF Cup success in Nepal in September.

Jeje hasn’t had an international cap since December 2011

“Every coach has their own style and strategy but the important thing for the players is to adapt quickly and achieve the desired results. It was disappointing for all of us to lose that game against Myanmar but it is never easy in international football because every team is improving and that applies for the SAFF region also.

“But we must win the SAFF Cup this time. We are the defending champions and have the quality but there are good teams as well. So, it will be a big challenge (to lift the cup). As for me, I haven’t been able to play for the national team due to injuries so I will be focusing on having a good season and regain my best form for both club and country,” he opined.

Jeje recently played for a FPAI (Football Players’ Association of India) XI against a Manipur select in an exhibition match in Imphal, which was witnessed by a crowd of more than 20,000. It was another proof of the passion that the north-east of the country has for the beautiful game.

Jeje is hoping to see more north-east clubs emulate Shillong Lajong and Rangdajied United.

“It is fantastic for the north-east to have two clubs in the I-League. Both are from Shillong and I am hope other clubs from the region including Mizoram also qualify for the top flight. It is always very difficult initially but like Lajong have shown with the right approach it is possible to play in the I-League consistently,” the 2011 FPAI Young Player of the Year stated.

Jeje with Sunil Chhetri (Image credit: AIFF Media)

Jeje along with India skipper Sunil Chhetri had a trial at Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers in 2011 and the former Arrows player remains optimistic of another such opportunity in future. But Jeje also admitted that Sunil Chhetri’s frustrating spell at Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ is proof of the fact that joining a foreign club is overcoming one hurdle but getting regular action is another massive test.

“Playing abroad professionally is the ultimate dream but it is very tough to achieve that. Even if you get a contract, playing regularly is another challenge. For now I am completely focused on Dempo and I have to repay the faith that they have shown in me by having a strong first season,” he concluded.