Ashley Westwood believes the Indian Super League will not adversely affect Bengaluru FC’s plans for the new I-League season. BFC will be represented by at least 10 players in the ISL this year, a change in stance from the inaugural edition when there had been no participation.
“You can’t deprive your players of anything,” said Westwood, who oversaw the first session of pre-season training here on Monday. “They like playing football and we know how attractive ISL is. The decision was made by the coaches and the management to allow them to go and play and hopefully return stronger.”
Among those who trained on Monday were Robin Singh and Sunil Chhetri, both of whom are contracted to the ISL but will be loaned back to BFC at the end of the tournament.
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“They’re professionals and know what needs to be done to look after themselves,” said Westwood. “They’ll be training with us until they’re required for their ISL commitments.”
Fatigue would not be an issue with the ISL-bound players, the Englishman felt. “They’re elite players and are prepared to withstand a 40-50-game season. We played 35-36 competitive games last season, plus a few friendlies, and almost had no injuries. There are only 14 games in the ISL and 20 in the I-League. So they will be well-prepared and it won’t affect us,” he said.
Playing under different coaches would not present a problem either, Westwood added. “If they get to the final of the ISL, it finishes on December 20. If the I-League starts, roughly, by January 15, we’ve got three or four weeks. It’s more than enough time to put your systems in place. Footballers are adaptable and intelligent. If they go and experience other systems, it will only make them evolve into players with more strings to their bow.”
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Bengaluru FC has already signed the North Korean Kim Seng-Yong — who has had visa issues and is expected later this week — and Seiminlen Doungel in the summer. Westwood did not rule out further additions to the squad.
“We’ve left ourselves three-four slots to fill. We’re talking to somebody who may come in tomorrow or Wednesday. We’re looking at elite players who need to come in and affect an AFC Cup game,” he said.
Having advanced to the last 16 of the AFC Cup last season, BFC has set its sights further this time.
“We want to win the I-League,” Westwood stated, “and cement ourselves in Asia.”