Chennaiyin FC’s latest signees from Tamil Nadu, N. Mohanraj and Dhanpal Ganesh, spoke to The Hindu here on Wednesday.
The 27-year old Mohanraj, who mostly plays at the left-back, said he is eager to learn from Chennaiyin manager Marco Materazzi.
“He’s a champion footballer and I’m looking forward to learn from him. I’m left-footed as he was and that will help me learn a great deal from him both in terms of tactics and technique. He’s the one who wanted me in the squad and I’m grateful for it.”
On having State-based Sabir Pasha as the assistant coach, Mohanraj said, “He, I think, will be more understanding of the local players in the squad and he can certainly communicate more effectively, and establish an emotional connect, with the local players. He can help them communicate as well.”
He said that in ISL’s Chennaiyin FC, the state-bred players now have a native club to aim at and work toward. The absence of such big opportunities to play in the state meant players of his time had to seek chances elsewhere, he added.
“My generation of players from the State, had to move out of the State in search of chances to play and develop. We didn’t have a high-profile professional state-based setup to aim at. This generation has that luxury in Chennaiyin FC. Most of the players from my time were inhibited to explore options, and rather wanted to get a well-paying job and settle down here. Raman Vijayan who has played for the National team was an inspiration for us.”
When he was young, Mohanraj didn’t make the cut in the State trials for the u-16 and u-19 teams, joined HAL, and went on to play for Mohun Bagan, and Tamil Nadu thereafter.
On how he kept himself motivated despite facing rejections, he said,
“There were times when I’ve felt that I was being denied chances well-deserved. But those rejections made me stronger and want to work hard. The intent to show that I’m not finished yet despite repeated failures kept me going.”
He is open to any role in the team. “I’m ready to do whatever the coach demands of me.”
Dhanpal Ganesh, who couldn’t play the last ISL due to an injury, said his immediate aim is “to get a place in the Playing XI”, and to eventually “win the title with team”.
On how ISL helps a player stabilise his career, he said, “It certainly helps to get to stick to the same setup annually for a long time. But playing for different clubs has its advantage in the sense there’s exposure to varied team cultures, philosophies and tactics.”
