Bengaluru FC’s head coach, Gerard Zaragoza, has expressed apprehensions regarding Sunil Chhetri’s role in the Indian national team after India’s elimination from the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The team’s journey ended with a 1-2 loss to Singapore, following their previous failure to advance to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This string of setbacks has intensified scrutiny on the strategic decisions made by the national team’s coaching staff.
Sunil Chhetri, who made a comeback to international football in March after previously retiring, delivered an exceptional performance for Bengaluru FC in the domestic season. With 17 goals and four assists in 34 matches, Chhetri earned a call-up to the national squad under former coach Manolo Marquez and continued under Khalid Jamil. Despite his stellar showings in the Indian Super League, Chhetri faced challenges in replicating his club form during recent international fixtures for India.
Zaragoza raised doubts about Chhetri’s effectiveness as a central striker for the national team, questioning whether this position aligns with Chhetri’s strengths. The coach emphasized that Chhetri’s prowess lies elsewhere and remarked, “Did he play as the first striker for BFC last season? Is Sunil Chhetri a striker? I’m asking because he’s chosen as the sole striker for the national team, hindering his performance.”
Expanding on Chhetri’s achievements in the ISL, Zaragoza pondered whether Chhetri had primarily functioned as a Number 9. He pointed out, “Sunil Chhetri scored 14 goals in the ISL last season, 14! Can anyone confirm if any of those goals were scored as a first striker (No. 9)?” This statement reinforced Zaragoza’s belief that Chhetri excels more as a poacher than a conventional center-forward.
Although Chhetri managed to score against Maldives in a recent international friendly, the 41-year-old veteran, India’s leading goal-scorer, faced goal droughts in subsequent competitive matches for the national team. This scoring inconsistency in crucial games has raised questions about Chhetri’s role and position within the squad during significant tournaments.
Zaragoza’s remarks have reignited discussions on player selection and tactical strategies employed in India’s recent matches. With India missing out on World Cup and Asian Cup qualifications, the discourse surrounding the optimal utilization of seasoned players like Chhetri persists among coaches and fans alike.