People in Greece expect bigger names in the ISL in future – NorthEast United keeper Alexandros Tzorvas

Alexandros Tzorvas

Each of the eight city franchises in the Indian Super League will have at least one World Cupper in their squad due to the presence of the marquee foreigners but NorthEast United will have two others besides their marquee player Joan Capdevila.

The other two are Cornell Glen (Trinidad & Tobago) and Alexandros Tzorvas (Greece). Glen has already played in India for Shillong Lajong in the I-League but Greek goalkeeper Tzorvas will be featuring in Indian football for the first time.

Tzorvas arrived in India on Saturday and comes to the league with the experience of having played in Greece Super League and Italian Serie A. Even last season he was playing for Greek top tier outfit Apollon Smyrni so it is a surprise that he is now joining India’s new league but the player explained that he always likes to try new experiences.

“Football for me is all about passion. I like exploring new things. This is an opportunity for me to gain more experience and help add value to young players on the team,” Tzorvas told Sportskeeda during an exclusive chat.

The former Palermo and Genoa custodian admitted that his countrymen were not aware of Indian football in the past but are taking an interest now following his move.

“The people in Greece were unaware of the Indian football scenario until I came on board with the NorthEast United Football Club. They now believe that this is a big championship and expect bigger names to come on board moving forward,” he added.

Tzorvas played every minute of Greece’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign and looking back on that experience, he recalled, “Well, apart from the fantastic organisation, I remember the stadiums being totally occupied and full of life. I definitely cannot forget the noise of the vuvuzelas in the stadium.”

He has won 16 caps at senior international level and is still only 32 but the question remains that whether playing in the ISL will be enough to see him return in the Greece national side under former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri.

“The coach is the main man of any team. So in this case, you would have to ask the national team coach for his opinion. Whether we are in Italy, India or Greece, his call is the final one,” he stated.

Tzorvas is well aware that his role in the ISL will be beyond football as he will be expected to be a role model for the Indian players and the keeper responded by saying that all that is in the DNA of Greek players.

“In Greece the footballers believe in giving it all that they have to the game. They play for the passion of the sport. That is something every footballer should follow and keep as their motivation,” he concluded.