New Delhi: Noted football analyst and former Southampton youth team defender Paul Masefield feels that it's time that India captain Sunil Chhetri takes a "tough call" on whether he should continue his stint with Sporting Lisbon's B team.
"I know he (Chhetri) had his share of problems for not getting enough game-time. That's always frustrating for a footballer. It's a tough decision for him to make and I wish him all the best," Masefield, who has been appointed the Technical Director of KOOH Sports Football Development Centre told PTI on Thursday.
Masefield, who has been a part of the Birmingham City squad in the late 80's and early 90's feels that Asian players have failed to measure up in terms of talent when it comes to plying their trade in the European circuit.
"Players need opportunities to play there but at present the talent is not good enough. I have lived in Asia half my life and know a lot of different players and coaches. Not many of the Asian players can mix well in European Leagues, which predominantly has the best leagues in the world - be it the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, the Dutch league or Serie A," Masefield said.
On the ambitious KOOH project that he is associated with, Masefield is confident that it might well prove to be a supply line for talent if India go on to win the bid to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
"India's bid for the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup could be a game-changer for the sport in the country. There's ability here that is for sure but it is untapped and now we look forward to focus on tapping that," Masefield stated.
The former English footballer also talked about Wayne Rooney's current situation at Manchester United.
"I think he'll leave. He's not happy at the moment and also it's not good keeping an unhappy player in the team, and if he is not allowed to move, it will work as poison and affect other players in the dressing room," Masefield signed off.
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