Trevor Morgan: "ISL is not just a vanity"

Kerala Blasters Assistant manager Trevor Morgan criticizes Zico

In a recent interview, FC Goa manager Zico said that "The AIFF should not focus on the vanity of the game,but on Grassroot level skills". He also said that "Playing just 5 Indian Players in the team will not be helpful".

To his contrary, Kerala Blasters Assistant Coach Trevor Morgan thinks that Zico has mis-understood the rules properly. Trevor says, "The rule is to use a minimum of 5 Indians in the match at everytime. But you can use more than 5 Indians, or even 11 Indian Players. It's the manager's wish. For us, we are ready to use 6 or even 7 Indians if we think the player will be good for the team."

Trevor also says that Zico should focus himself on Indian players rather wait for a system. "I think if you want Indian football to grow, then you should put Indian players in important positions and roles yourself rather waiting for rules to be made for the same. All teams should focus on training young Indian players as part of the objectives the team wants to achieve".

Trevor also feels that for the first time in India there is real focus on Grasroot development, "With the ISL and the U-17 World Cup, India is focusing more on grassroot level than it ever did before. Now we have 8 teams with good amount of money to spend, focusing on Grassroot level skills, so there is no reason why the ISL is not good for Indian Football".

Morgan also feels that vanity is a much needed part of football nowadays and the ISL has to follow the system. "Vantiy is needed. We all knew India has millions of fans but they are not watching I-league clubs. Now we have around 300 milliom fans domestically because of the bit of glitz and glamour that has been added".

With the ISL being watched in different parts of the World, there are many rumours about Indian players being contracted by foreign clubs and Trevor feels that was ought to happen. "Just like we get to know players when we watch them on television, the same happens elsewhere. Europe is watching the ISL and surely scouts and agenst of different teams will be impressed with the players. The players now have more visibility and it won't be suprising to see some of them playing outside India if they get good offers" says Morgan.

Morgan also feels that support is needed to the league right now if you want it to grow. "I feel if you want the league to get better through the years then you should support it in every way from the very beginning. Being pessimistic is easy but being optimisitc  supportive is difficult. In just a month's time ISL is making big waves in Europe and South America. Just think about the impact it will create in 10 years time. Not only will it be beneficial for the players but it will also put India on the World map of football", says Trevor Morgan.