Panaji: At just 22, Ayush Chhetri is the ‘experienced’ player at FC Goa, at least in terms of appearances for the club.No current senior team player has had 78 appearances for Goa, like Chhetri, a remarkable feat for a player who was parachuted into the top tier from Shillong Lajong FC in the I-League, and one who seemed surplus to requirements after the club signed three midfielders, which comprised two India internationals and a foreigner with proven credentials in India.Despite the arrivals, Chhetri wasn’t easily deterred, not even coach Manolo Marquez relegated him to the bench, a season after his debut under Carlos Pena in 2022-23 fetched him 20 appearances in the Indian Super League (ISL) alone.“He played a lot of minutes in the first season under Carlos Pena,” Manolo told TOI on Wednesday. “The second season was difficult for him, but he kept working. I remember the club signed Rowllin (Borges) and Raynier (Fernandes), besides Carl McHugh, that’s a lot of players (in midfield). But he kept working, and now he’s a very important player.“He’s hardworking, humble. Everyone loves him in the squad. It’s easy to manage such players because of proper attitude. Not just Ayush, there are a lot of players who are like this. You enjoy training them so much.”Chhetri, too, has enjoyed the change in fortunes. From being a substitute, unused in most games, in Manolo’s first year at the club to now an important player under the Spanish coach. There’s no foreigner next to him this season; no experienced campaigners like Edu Bedia, Carl McHugh, David Timor, Borja Herrera like in the past. Infact, he’s now the experienced one, anchoring the midfield, alongside young Prachit Gaonkar in the season opener and Sahil Tavora against Mohammedan Sporting.“I think without foreign players (in midfield), we have to learn how to manage the game by ourselves. For the last two years, I played with foreigners and learnt a lot from them. Now, I’m using those lessons on the field,” said Chhetri.It’s not been easy. In the opener against Inter Kashi, Manolo was forced to make a change at half time, replacing Prachit. Against Mohammedan Sporting though things were better, it wasn’t exactly free flowing, particularly in the second half.“It takes time,” said Chhetri. “We will have to build it game by game. I have enjoyed playing under coach (Manolo). He always tells me that if I want to become better, I have to score goals. I’m trying.”
