Subrata Bhattacharya tasted immediate chemistry with Chirag United when he took over the reins as coach last season. Last year his task was limited to the extent of ensuring that the team hung on to the top tier of the I-League. This time, however, things have changed for the better.

Bhattacharya still doesn’t want to call his team a force in Indian football but admits that Chirag United have an “outside chance” to win the title this time.

“Considering the low quality of Indian football at present, I think we have a chance to win the league. But Chirag is still not a big team and is unlikely to be one in the long run. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal still are the two powerhouses in Bengal. Even if we get there this time, it would be hard to stay on top,” Bhattacharya told The Indian Express.

With a team as balanced as his, shouldn’t he be more gung-ho? The former India defender doesn’t agree. “My aim is to win matches. I know how to approach a complex task. I don’t want to put my players under unnecessary pressure. Last year we scored more goals than East Bengal in the I-League, and you are accusing me of being ultra-defensive?” Bhattacharya argued.

Bhattacharya has been there and done that. As player and coach, he has won everything Indian football has to offer. He knows, with the likes of Edmilson Marques, Edmar Joshimar, Eduardo Chacon, Sandip Nandy, Shylo Malswamtlunga and Jayanta Sen in the ranks, he has the ammunition to challenge the best in the business. Australian Keegan Nash — who signed up with Chirag on Wednesday and will play in the team’s next game on Friday — is expected to give more solidity to defence.

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