India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua feels the Indian and overseas players’ combination worked well for Mohun Bagan and that is one of the main reasons behind their I-League triumph.
“First, I would like to congratulate Bagan players for their success in the I-League. They had a very strong side this season and they deserved to win the title.
“The players gelled well among themselves, that is one of the reasons of the team’s success. The same thing happened in the 2014-15 season too when Bagan had last won the I-League,” Jeje, a vital cog of Bagan’s I-League winning side five seasons back, told The Telegraph from Durtlang near Aizawl on Monday.
“In our team that time, we had good foreign players like Katsumi Yusa, Sony Norde, Pierre Boya and Bello Rassaq. This season also, they had quality foreign players — Baba Diawara, Fran Morante, Fran Gonzalez, Joseba Beitia and Daneil Cyrus.
“I watched almost 90 per cent of the matches in this I-League and I must say Bagan played a game that soothed the eyes,” he said.
Jeje, who is currently with Chennaiyin FC, couldn’t play a single game this season as he was on rehab since May 2019. “It would have been better had we won the ISL title this season. But losing the final against ATK was like heartbreak for me,” he said.
“It was an excellent season for Chennaiyin FC. Nobody thought we would play the final. It looked difficult to even the reach the semis, but the guys showed tremendous character to reach the final,” he emphasised.
Jeje was expecting a comeback as he has already completed his rehab, but his plan suffered a jolt as the as Fifa World Cup qualifiers got postponed due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
With the matches postponed and the camp also called off, it was like a setback for the striker who can’t wait to be back in India colours. “I was really looking forward to the camp in Bhubaneswar. The postponement has come as a big setback. But there’s no room to complain and I fully stand by the decision taken,” he said.
Speaking of his recovery, Jeje added: “I had a knee injury last season and then surgery in May. My rehab has been complete. I realise that I’m gradually reaching the optimum fitness level,” he said.
The striker started his rehab in Chennai but then got training facilities in Italy arranged, which helped him a lot. “Initially, I started my rehab in Chennai. Then I went to Italy and the sessions were excellent,” he said.
Given the current scenario, it’s difficult to continue training, but Jeje doesn’t want to waste any time. “I am at home now and I am continuing individual sessions in consultation with the doctor and physios.”