Hero ISL: Foreign coaches laud decision to have more local players

Kolkata [West Bengal], November 12 (ANI): The fact that Hero Indian Super League (ISL) teams will have to field at least six Indian players has been lauded by foreign coaches, who feel that the tweak in the rule this season will help develop local players.

Until last season, Hero ISL teams could play a maximum of six foreigners, but the latest rule will, according to Jamshedpur FC head coach Steve Coppell, "add extra responsibility on Indian players to perform and develop".

Fellow English head coaches Teddy Sheringham (ATK) and John Gregory (Chennaiyin FC) echo the same point and believe that the rule will help the development of Indian players.

"I think it's a good decision to have six Indians on the pitch at all times and it means Indians getting more chances to play and show their skills," said Sheringham said during the Hero ISL Media Day at Kolkata.

"We don't have a marquee signing this year, but you will see that we have invested our money in young Indians who will not just come on for 10 minutes but will form an integral part of my squad this season," explained Gregory.

Northeast United's head coach Joao Carlos Pires de Deus was one among the many who were pleasantly surprised with the quality of Indian footballers they've worked with so far.

The Portuguese star has already done extensive research on Indian sides, having watched lot of matches as he prepares to step into the unknown.

"You ask me if the Brazilians in my team will produce magic... but what is magic? It's not limited to Brazilians. Even the Indian players in our team are very skilful and can produce a lot of magic. You see the kid with blonde hair in the U17 World Cup team (Komal Thatal) and he was producing magic. So it's not limited to a nationality," he said.

"Rubbing shoulders with top players has made a huge difference to Indian footballers. You see them play with marquee signings and come up against top class forwards and midfielders and it automatically builds their confidence and the game. You see these foreigners and how they carry themselves and take care of their body and the Indian players get inspired by that. The Hero ISL has played a huge role in this development," said Coppell, who is now into his second season of ISL.

Meanwhile, the players believe that it is the facilities and coaching style which has made all the difference.

"The facilities, the coaching style, the technicalities all play a role and have made me a better player. For example, our coach wants to see me come out of the box and play as a sweeper sometimes and keep the ball down," goalkeeper Albino Gomes said, speaking about how his team Delhi Dynamos' head coach Miguel Angel Portugal is bringing subtle changes to his game.

"The Hero ISL will eventually see a player emerge - someone like the Virat Kohli of Indian football - who will then carry the team in the future and inspire youngsters to play the sport. The development of youngsters is very important for any country's progress in a sport and this league will help in that," Portugal said.

The Hero ISL kicks off on November 17 with a high-profile clash between Kerala Blasters and ATK at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. (ANI)