Cleiton Silva calls for increase in number of teams in ISL

The forward is leading the charts for ISL Golden Boot.

East Bengal might not lead the ISL 2022-23 table, but their Brazilian forward and captain, Cleiton Silva, is currently the joint top-scorer of the league with seven goals. Silva, who scored nine times in 19 matches last season for Bengaluru FC is already soaring high for the Red & Golds.

He spoke to the media on January 3rd. Here’s what the striker said.

Why did you come to India?

Some mysteries were revealed when Cleiton Silva spoke about why he came to India. Unlike other foreigners, his story was somewhat different.

He said, “In 2018, Bengaluru offered me. But I was in Thailand playing for a club. After I finished my tenure with Suphanburi, I wanted to try another place. I had nothing more to accomplish in Thailand. Then I accepted Bengaluru’s offer because I wanted to come here and be champions here. The videos of the games which I saw of the club made me very interested.”

His target for the season

Already leading the charts, Cleiton shared his goals, both individual and collective, for the season.

“Our target as a group is to be in the top six. We are still dreaming about this. The individual target will come after this. It feels good to score goals and help the team.”

Reaching the top six

As the forward mentioned earlier, the team still dreams for reaching the playoffs. Now, he shares what needs to be addressed for achieving the same.

“The team has many new players. Most of them are young and lack experience. It’s difficult to have this balance. It’s difficult to put eleven players together make it immediately work. We are still working hard for the best eleven to be more consistent in the games.”

He added, “The next two games will be very important. We must collect points from these matches. These two games will be important to see how realistic our chances for the top-six are.”

Beating ATK Mohun Bagan

27th January, 2019, was the last time East Bengal defeated their arch-rivals. The 35-year-old sheds light on how the Red & Golds can taste success in the Kolkata Derby.

“First thing is to believe that we can beat them. We cannot go to the game and think that they are unbeaten against us, one more loss won’t do more damage. We must make our mind to go and win against them. They have very good players. They sign any player they want.”

He added, “Everywhere I go, the fans say you must win the derby and you must score the goal. They don’t even say hi. We will try to win the game on 25th February.”

Need of the hour

In order to make a top-six finish, East Bengal get their issues sorted. Cleiton Silva however, focused more on the long-term. He said, “We have to work and practice. It’s not a fast process. Look at Arsenal. They are on the top of the table (Premier League). How long did they take? Last time they were on the top was when players like Thiery Henry and Robert Pires played for the club. It was around 15 years ago. They went through a long process.

“I hope we don’t take that long. Indian clubs who are on top now, have been there for two years. It’s a long process,” he mentioned.

Fitness an issue for the team?

When asked if the team not being able to collect points is due to the fitness condition of the side, the forward said, “No, it’s not. Every game we run for more than 10 or 11 kms. It’s more about concentration, focus and wish to win the game. It’s unacceptable to concede two goals in five minutes.”

ISL Trophy triumph possible?

The current position of East Bengal has already made everyone aware that the League Winners’ Shield is actually an impossible target to fulfil. However, can the club win the ISL Trophy?

Cleiton opined, “It’s difficult. For the next two or three years, the club is already talking to young players who are doing good (at the club). They can develop the club and help us to be on the top in the upcoming years. Our target is to be in the top six. People don’t believe that we can do it. If we can get some points in the next 2-3 games, we will be on track.”

Development in ISL

The Brazilian forward shed light on the development he has witnessed in the ISL.

“I saw a lot of development in the players. The Indian players like to learn and work. Even those players who are not playing the games, they are always trying to put in something extra, be it at the gym or the training pitch. It’s important to have more games. Only 11 clubs in the ISL are not enough. We should have 15 teams.”

Squad depth

Compared to the top clubs of the Indian Super League, East Bengal do not possess a squad full of top-notch players. Cleiton said, “The management is learning about these things. Th club needs to add players who can keep the same pace. In the following years, they will learn this. If they want to be on top, they have to do it.

He added, “This is the reason clubs like Mumbai City, Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan are on top. If there are injured players, the players from bench can pitch in and maintain the same level of the game.”

Combination with Naorem Mahesh Singh

After Tolgay Ozbey and Robin Singh, East Bengal have finally found a duo in Cleiton Silva and Naorem Mahesh Singh. The 35-year-old spoke about their combination.

“We try to be close to each other during training. Mahesh has good speed. I always give the ball in the space for him to run and he also has to ability to dribble. I try to use him the most. We talk during the games about things which he should do better. He listens and tries to understand and execute it.”