A few years ago, he was considered as one of Arsenal’s great English hopes. Even FC Barcelona had an eye on him. Sanchez Watt’s football journey may have lost much of its wind from those heady days but he is determined to spice up his CV with a strong Indian Super League show.
The winger-cum-striker, who got an impressive rating from the great Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger when he described the youngster as “a bit of a street player and an aggressive striker who always finds resources to be dangerous,” will be wearing the famed No. 10 jersey at Kerala Blasters FC, a shirt worn by ISL’s Most Valuable Player Iain Hume last year.
That could put some pressure but the 24-year-old is up to the task.
“I only have one pressure… I pressure myself to do well.”
The hardworking Hume was one of ISL’s most popular players in its first year and Watt is clear about what he needs to do.
“When you score goals, everyone loves you no matter which club you play for. All I’m here is to help my team win. If that means helping other players score goals, I’m going to put that ahead of me scoring goals,” said the former Arsenal winger who was released by Colchester United a few months ago.
He feels that the Indian journey would enrich his CV.
“To be in another country, you can learn a different culture. It’s good on my CV. I can go back to England or to another country or get back to the ISL, so it has opened up a lot of doors. It has opened up my mind about different football styles too.”
With youngsters in many teams this season, Watt feels the ISL would be a lot faster now.
“And yes, quickness and sharpness…that’s our key. We are ready.”
