ISL 2017/18: "I will force the NEUFC management into building a youth academy" Avram Grant
Avram Grant feels that this ISL season has indeed been a strange one for NorthEast United FC, as they have been playing good football but have not been able to score goals and finish off games and he feels it is strange of sorts especially the second half of the season, where they faced the top sides and failed to capitalize their chances.
“Well, the Indian Super League has a lot of positives in terms of organization and potential, I have seen some good players and it's a positive sign, of course. There are things that require improvement on and off the pitch. I am preparing a report and will submit it to the Team Management, If the ISL authorities want it, I can share it with them too, but to sum it up I will say the base is good now you need to build the next level of floors above it.” the former Chelsea man stated.
The ISL this season apart from two new teams saw a change in the rules regarding the number of foreign players that can play in the starting eleven.
“I prefer the six foreigner rule in the starting eleven as it will only make the competition stronger, and help the Indian players learn more, I feel 8 foreigners should be allowed to be registered and 6 should be allowed to play, that way the Indian players can also see and learn new things which they haven’t seen”
Avram also voiced his opinion on the new set of rules and what he feels.
“I have seen a lot of good Indian players, even though I can only speak about the players and people from the Northeast. The people from this region are very good and are always willing to learn and get better, I have seen players who can put in a good cross and make some good runs, but I feel academies could have helped them a lot. I know the owners will be angry with me but I will force them to make an academy even if it is only for U16 but it has to be a w quality academy with knowledgeable people from abroad working in it. It will help the team only get better, sometimes even big players need to be taught how to pass the ball, but the very basic things need to be taught in the academies and that is one factor I feel we can improve on”
Avram Grant voiced his views regarding the young Indian players and what is needed to improve the quality of football.
He also went on to add that the quality of the league has increased from what he saw on TV a few years ago and also mentioned that “The level of talent that the Indian players have has impressed me, It is way above the level that I had expected from them.”
He also asked the fans to come out and support the team like previous season’s as it is their last home game tomorrow against Kerala Blasters and would like to end their home leg of games on a high.
“Kerala’s coach David James was a student of mine in Portsmouth and we achieved a great feat thereby winning the FA cup with a team which was in a similar position that Northeast United is in, and he was brilliant, I wish him all the best, but I want to win the game tomorrow”
Avram Grant also shared an insight into what is billed as the master vs student tie by many.