Sunil Chhetri has to make a tough choice this year: Masefield

Noted football analyst and former Southampton youth team defender Paul Masefield feels that it's time that India captain Sunil Chhetri takes a "tough call" on whether he should continue his stint with Sporting Lisbon's 'B' team.
"I know he (Chhetri) had his share of problems for not getting enough game time. That's always frustrating for a footballer. It's a tough decision for him to make and I wish him all the best," Masefield, who has appointed the Technical Director of Kooh Sports Football Development Centre told PTI today.
Masefield, who has been a part of the Birmingham City squad in the late 80's and early 90's feels that Asian players have failed to measure up in terms of talent when it comes to plying their trade in the European circuit.

"Players need opportunity to play there but at present the talent is not good enough. I have lived in Asia half my life and know a lot of different players and coaches. Not many of the Asian players can mix well in European Leagues, which predominantly has the best leagues in the world it the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, the Dutch or the Serie A," Masefield told PTI.
On the ambitious Kooh Project that he is associated with, Masefield is confident that it might well prove to be a supply line for talent if India goes on to win the bid to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

"India's bid for 2017 under-17 FIFA World Cup could be a game changer for the sport in country. There's ability here that is for sure but it is untapped and now we look forward to focus on tapping that," Masefield stated.
The former English footballer also talked about Wayne Rooney's tryst moving out of Manchester United.
"I think he'll leave. He's not happy at the moment and also it's not good keeping an unhappy player in the team, and if he is not allowed to move, it will work as poison and effect other players in the dressing room," Masefield signed off.