Indian football’s Mission Impossible

Syed Rahim Nabi (left) & Mehtab Hossain (right) have been offered trials abroadPhoto Credit: AIFF Media

Opportunities to have trials abroad are rare for Indian footballers so the fact that two players have been offered such a chance within a week is a moment to savour for the Indian football fraternity.

Reigning AIFF player of the year Syed Rahim Nabi has been offered a trial by USA’s MLS outfit DC United while Spanish third tier outfit Real Aviles has offered to be the base for Mehtab Hossain’s trials in Spain, where he will be watched by La Liga and Segunda (second tier) clubs.

It is undoubtedly an opportunity of a lifetime for the two India internationals, who are also good friends. But as of now, the two are unsure of making the most of their respective chances mainly because of national team commitments.

Although Nabi, who is now contracted with IMG-Reliance for the proposed IPL-style tournament, could still go for the trials after the conclusion of the SAFF Cup in September, Mehtab faces a bigger dilemma as he is the captain of East Bengal and thus would have to convince the Kolkata club to allow him to leave for Spain.

Nabi has a better chance of going for the trials

However more importantly, the duo have possibly been discouraged by the two frustrating spells abroad of India captain and perhaps the country’s best player at present, Sunil Chhetri. The 28-year-old was unfortunate not to complete a move to Queens Park Rangers back in 2009 as despite agreeing personal terms, the transfer couldn’t be sealed as Sunil was denied a work permit due to India’s poor FIFA Ranking.

Sunil though didn’t give up and a year later realised his dream of playing professionally abroad as MLS outfit Kansas City Wizards signed him. However, as feared by many, it turned out to be a move for commercial purposes as Sunil didn’t get to make any appearance in the MLS and was hardly involved in any first team action with a substitute appearance in a friendly against Manchester United being the only highlight.

He was released by the MLS franchise after the 2011 Asian Cup but the Arjuna Awardee looked to have got a second chance abroad in July 2012, when Sporting Lisbon showed interest in him. But soon it was revealed that Sunil had joined their ‘B’ team and once again it turned out to be a move to break into the enormous football fanbase in India as the star striker spent a frustrating time on the bench, making only a few substitute appearances over seven months in a team that mostly comprises teenagers. His stint in Portugal was later described by AIFF technical director Rob Baan as ‘a big flop’.

Sunil Chhetri endured a frustrating time in Portugal

Sunil joined Churchill Brothers on loan in February 2013 and helped them win the I-League title. Despite having signed a two year contract with Sporting Lisbon ‘B’, Sunil sought a release as he needed to play regularly at this point of his career. The two-time AIFF Player of the Year officially ended his association with the Portuguese outfit by joining newly-formed I-League club Bengaluru FC on a two-year permanent deal.

It remains to be seen whether ever again Sunil gets to play abroad but there are plenty of lessons to be learnt from his two stints and even Bhaichung Bhutia’s spell in England. Firstly getting a contract in foreign shores is one highly difficult task for an Indian footballer considering the fact that since independence only two players (Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil) have managed to achieve that.

Bhaichung, who also had spells in Malaysia, only joined English third tier outfit Bury FC in 1999 after failed attempts at West Brom, Aston Villa and Fulham while Sunil too had an unsuccessful trial at Coventry City in January 2009. When two of the best players of the last two decades have struggled so much to get a permanent contract abroad, one can very well imagine how difficult it will be for Mehtab and Nabi.

Bhaichung Bhutia was troubled by injuries at Bury FC

Although Bhaichung’s spell at Bury FC was disrupted by injuries (he managed 46 appearances in 3 years), Sunil’s spells in USA and Portugal shows that foreign clubs are often looking to get Indian players for solely commercial purposes.

So no wonder, German football weekly Reviersport suggested that Borussia Dortmund should sign Sunil to boost their fanbase. That comment was made completely out of humour but it also revealed how Indian football and Indian footballers are rated worldwide.

Sunil’s stints also proved that if getting a contract abroad is difficult then becoming a regular is almost impossible. Hence, credit must be given to Melbourne Heart for being honest with Gouramangi Singh three years ago when the Australian club clearly told the defender that despite impressing in the trials, he would find it difficult to get into the first team.

Gouramangi, who was only 24 back then, was lucky to get a fair opinion and thus instead of sitting on the bench for months he played regularly for club and country and established himself as one of India’s best players.

Hence, Nabi and Mehtab have to careful with their expectations and decisions, and being highly experienced, they probably already are being realistic and thus are not getting carried away by the foreign offer. Mehtab had trials in England and Scotland last year but it wasn’t enough to get him a contract although work permit issues would have in any case blocked a potential move.

Mehtab Hossain had trials in UK last year

Having a trial offer and sealing a permanent move are two different things but even if either of them achieves that, eventually it may not turn out to be fruitful. In truth, they must have realised that at the age of 27-28, it won’t make much sense to join a club abroad and sit on the bench and eventually have a frustrating spell like Sunil.

Of course there would be plenty to learn as well by only training with clubs of countries whose standards are much higher than that of India. But both Nabi and Mehtab are at the peak of their careers now and still have plenty to offer to the national team so neither would be willing to experience the match fitness issues that Sunil faced during his Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ spell.

Seeing an Indian play regularly for a foreign club remains a dream for Indian football fans and probably the few ones who get to train or play abroad from an early age stand a better chance. So maybe the likes of Uttam Rai, Brandon Fernandes, Pratik Shinde etc. will achieve that in the future.

For now though it remains Indian football’s ‘Misssion Impossible’.