The biggest thing for me is implementing a positive team spirit, asserts Chennaiyin captain Jordan Murray

Murray praised the signing of Farukh Choudhary

For the past few years, things haven’t been easy for Chennaiyin FC. It was way back in season 2019-20 when the two-time ISL champions last qualified for the league’s playoffs. Since then, success has become a distant dream for the side. Looking to change the club’s fate, the management have made some big changes this time around. 

Besides the entry of former coach Owen Coyle, they have looked to strengthen the squad to the fullest. Among the big names, a notable mention would be of their new captain Jordan David Murray. Murray’s entry into the squad will surely look to solve Chennaiyin FC’s attacking woes. 

Having prior experience of playing in the league besides being a popular name among the followers of the ISL, the signing of the new captain has boosted the morale of the Chennaiyin FC officials, squad and fans. Khel Now had the privilege to get an exclusive interview with the 27-year-old prolific attacker. Excerpts are given below.

On returning to India

Q: Last season you were in Thailand, before that you played for Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC. This will be your third season in the ISL, how does it feel to be back in India? 

A: It’s fantastic, being in the ISL before is a positive. I wanted to experience a different culture, otherwise I call India my second home. I had the opportunity to be back at the ISL. It’s great to be back. I’m looking forward to playing for this club, representing this club and bringing back joy for these fans. 

On being Chennaiyin FC captain

Q: How does it feel to captain Chennaiyin FC?

A: So far it’s been great. I received this kind of honor to represent Chennaiyin as a captain, it’s extremely honorable for me. It’s about bringing in a team spirit, bringing in a family environment for us to succeed. It will be one of my goals to implement these to make sure everyone’s on board to working hard together, to achieve the same results. 

On upcoming season

Q: For quite some time now Chennaiyin FC has performed well in the ISL. How do you see your side in the upcoming ISL?

A: We have got plenty of things to work on. Like I said before, the biggest thing for me is implementing a really really positive team spirit because, no matter what, in every team in the world there’s ups and downs. Personally, I want to bring that family vibe, a really close together team environment. I have been in plenty of teams where you have this kind of environment, in these teams you have nothing but success. Knowing that you fight for the man on your left, you fight for the man on your right.

It’s about being in a team sport, we are not in a single man sport. There’s no “I” in the team, if we can stick together we can bring in positive results. We have a fantastic gaffer in Owen Coyle, his record speaks for himself, in the ISL and UK football, so, for us being led by him and having some fantastic foreign and Indian players, I’m sure we can really achieve some good success if we stick together and play positive football.

On areas Chennaiyin FC needs to improve  

Q: Any areas you think that the club should specifically improve in?

A: Well, it’s about the club improving and wanting to turn things around. The players the club has signed, not only the foreign players, the Indian players have been fantastic. They did bring in players like Farukh Chowdhury, who have played for the national team. The club has a player like Rafael, and everyone knows the quality he has, The club also bought in Christian and Conor Sheilds.

I think the signings the club has had is very positive, that’s a round of applause for the club and everyone behind the scene, the staff has been fantastic. Knowing that we will be going through thick and thin, win loss or draw, we will have everyone’s back together, this is the thing that counts and I want to be a part of that. 

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