Sunil Chettri to Lisbon 'B' side - a step up for Indian football?

Start of a successful European journey?

In what may prove to be a turning point for Indian football, Delhi lad Sunil Chettri has been signed up by Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon to play for its ‘B’ team. Chettri now becomes the second Indian player after Bhaichung Bhutia to play for a European club (Bhutia played for Bury Fc from 1999 to 2002).

The move to Lisbon will certainly be a dream move for Chettri as he had earlier failed trials at Glasgow Rangers and Coventry City and had also endured a disappointing season with MLS outfit Kansas City Wizards in 2010.

Though there was no doubt about Chettri’s talent, with the Delhi bomber’s  exceptional speed and finishing ability, the only cause of concern would have been whether he could have played for a club away from India for all his talents.

Chettri is by far the best Indian footballer after Bhutia and a move to a club like Lisbon will certainly do wonders to his career (He has signed a two year contract).

It now remains to be seen whether Chettri can adapt to a world class side like Lisbon (the I-league and the Portuguese league are both worlds apart!)  especially after his not so great spell in the MLS.

It’s also to be seen whether he will be a regular starter in the playing eleven or just be a part of the substitute’s bench (Even Bhutia was not a regular starter during his stint at Bury!).

Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Luis Figo all were part of Lisbon’s reserve side during the early part of their careers and playing for a side which boasted of such talents is definitely a high point for Chettri.

Rejected by Rangers for his apparent lack of physique, the Portuguese League though not as physical as the English and Scottish leagues will certainly prove to be a stern test for Chettri.  Scoring against European opponents will undoubtedly be a difficult task as he will be up against much faster and stronger opponents.

This move to Lisbon will now help Chettri put the Rangers disappointment behind him and will also give him the much needed experience of playing away from India.

The only time Chettri faced an European opposition in his career was during the exhibition match against Manchester United in the United States, where he came on as a second half sub for Kansas City.

Though, facing Portuguese defenders week in and week out will certainly not be an exhibition for Chettri, he will surely hope for regular playing time and will also look to take his game to the next level.

So, here’s hoping Sunil Chettri has a memorable European tryst with Sporting Lisbon ‘B’ and this move becomes the first of a probable European career for the Delhi lad.