In any case Bentley in I-League was a bit over the top..He was on a £50000 a week salary in his last club!! Just hope that Bengaluru remain ambitious next season when playing in AFC is a high possibility..With a solid fanbase and a bigger stadium next season, their's a lot to look forward to
I still feel Bengaluru FC can improve on the foreigners they have. If I was Westwood I would only have John Johnson as my "safe guy". The other 3 can be improved on. Menyongar is now 33 and will be 34 during the 2014-15 season. Perhaps Bengaluru FC would like to improve in the midfield position. Sean Rooney may be doing well in a more supporting role but why not look for a more potent foreign striker who could complement Chhetri better?
Also Osano, while being solid, could also be improved on with guys from League One and League Two being acceptable to coming to India.
I really do wonder what Westwood could do with just his mouth in terms of player signings (no, you dirty bastards). I mean, he is not a massive infludence but he can still convince some players to make the move to India and really, to go from League One/Two to the I-League would not be a bad move for any player in these leagues. Almost guarenteed playing time, possible bigger salary, contribute to a growing footballing country, and also, YOU LIVE IN BANGALORE! Bangalore is not a bad city to live in and it is a massive market for India. I would love to live there rather than a place like Northampton.
It wont be bad or difficult in getting players from such leagues but there is huge love and passion for african players and nowadays random aussies. Even regular conference players can do solid job. And they wont be that expensive..
As well as some regular big names the teams can attract.. bit of contract stability will ensure better players come to india.
That is how the MLS is getting better players from Argentina, Spain, and somewhat France. The fact is that in the MLS players are 100% guarenteed to be payed on time, play in a pretty decent league, and have a nice life.
Can India provide that? If you are Bengaluru FC can you offer a player from the Ligue 2 a 100% chance of getting their salary on time, a decent or growing level of play, and a nice life (housing, minimal/medium crime etc)? I think we could.
That is also why I like corporates coming in as these companies are more likely to be able to pay players on time all the time instead of the usual "maybe" payments.
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Just hope that Bengaluru remain ambitious next season when playing in AFC is a high possibility..With a solid fanbase and a bigger stadium next season, their's a lot to look forward to