Empty Bench: What Sunil Chhetri’s Return Reveals About Indian Football’s State

Sunil Chhetri’s return to the Indian football squad raises significant questions about the team’s player development and squad depth. While his comeback is a boost for the national team, it also highlights the lack of emerging talent to take his place. This article delves into what Chhetri’s continued presence means for Indian football, the challenges in finding his successor, and the urgent need for long-term planning.

Danish

Mar 8, 2025 - 15:01

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The Indian football team has long relied on Sunil Chhetri, the nation’s most decorated and consistent player.
His recent return to the squad, though welcomed, raises concerns about the lack of new, young talents ready to replace him.
The situation sheds light on the deeper issues within Indian football, including limited squad depth, talent pipeline challenges, and developmental gaps.
This article examines how Chhetri’s continued presence reflects the reality of Indian football and what needs to be done for future progress.

Chhetri has been the face of Indian football for over a decade.
He has scored more than 90 international goals, making him one of the top active goal scorers in world football.
His leadership on and off the field has been instrumental in guiding young players and inspiring generations.
Even at 39, Chhetri remains India’s most reliable goal-scoring option, which is both a testament to his fitness and a reflection of the lack of emerging strikers.

Lack of a Natural Successor: No young striker has stepped up to consistently fill Chhetri’s shoes.
Struggles in Domestic Leagues: Indian forwards in the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League rarely get regular playing time due to foreign strikers dominating attacking positions.
National Team’s Goal-Scoring Problems: Even in major tournaments, India struggles to find alternative goal-scoring options when Chhetri is absent.
Experience Gap: The younger players lack the experience to handle high-pressure international games.

Youth Academies Need Improvement: While academies like Bengaluru FC, Reliance Foundation, and AIFF Elite Academy have produced talents, the transition to the senior team is slow.
Limited Exposure to Competitive Football: Indian players need more exposure to high-level club football in competitive leagues outside India.
Coaching and Training Gaps: A shortage of top-quality coaches has hindered the proper development of young footballers.
Over-Reliance on Foreign Players in Domestic Leagues: Clubs prioritize signing foreign forwards over developing local goal-scorers.

Over the years, several young players have been considered as Chhetri’s potential successor, but none have consistently delivered.
Manvir Singh: A strong and physical forward, but lacks consistency in finishing.
Lallianzuala Chhangte: A talented winger, but not a direct replacement as a central striker.
Liston Colaco: Possesses skill and pace but needs more refinement in decision-making.
Ishan Pandita: Has shown glimpses of promise but needs regular game time.
Vikram Pratap Singh: A rising talent but yet to prove himself in senior international football.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has the responsibility to ensure a steady flow of young players into the national team.
Steps that AIFF must take:
- Implement a structured scouting system to identify young strikers early.
- Limit foreign player dependency in ISL to create more opportunities for Indian forwards.
- Encourage young players to play in foreign leagues to gain better exposure.
- Strengthen grassroots football programs across the country.

Invest in Grassroots Development: Strong grassroots programs help identify and nurture talents from a young age.
Enhance Coaching Standards: Better coaching leads to better players; AIFF must bring in foreign experts to train Indian coaches.
Provide International Exposure: Indian players need to play in competitive leagues abroad to improve their game.
Create a Competitive Domestic Structure: A stronger domestic league with fewer foreign players dominating attacking positions is essential.
Mentorship from Senior Players: Chhetri himself can play a key role in mentoring young strikers to take over in the coming years.

Chhetri’s return to the team is a reminder that India is still struggling to find a dependable goal scorer for the future.
While his presence is valuable, Indian football cannot afford to be over-reliant on a single player for success.
The longer India fails to produce new striking talents, the more difficult it will be to compete on the international stage.

Chhetri’s eventual retirement will leave a huge gap in the squad.
If AIFF and clubs don’t act now, India will face a major crisis when he steps away from the game.
This makes it urgent to accelerate talent development efforts so that the transition is smooth when he finally retires.

Sunil Chhetri’s continued dominance in Indian football at nearly 40 years old is both a blessing and a warning.
While fans are thrilled to see him lead the team, his return exposes the country’s lack of depth in the forward position.
The focus should now shift towards developing young strikers who can take over and ensure that Indian football remains competitive in the coming years.
The question remains – Will India find its next Chhetri in time, or will the team struggle when he finally steps away?

What do you think? Can Indian football find Chhetri’s successor soon? Share your thoughts in the comments!