EXCLUSIVE: Alberto Noguera discusses ISL, Chennaiyin FC move, love for India, objectives & more

Alberto Noguera has made over 100 appearances in the Indian Super League.

When there was significant uncertainty about the future of the Indian Super League (ISL), many foreign players departed to join clubs elsewhere to pursue their careers.

However, Alberto Noguera is one of the few players who returned to the league once the start date was confirmed.

Alberto Noguera returned to India from Spanish club Rayo Majadahonda to join Chennaiyin FC for the 2025/26 Indian Super League season. And this season, the team has had a mixed start, losing the first two games, then going undefeated in the subsequent three. 

Khel Now had the opportunity to speak with the Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguera prior to the game against Inter Kashi, where he discussed his return, preferred position, season objectives, and areas for improvement. 

Alberto Noguera reveals why he joined Chennaiyin FC

When a player like Alberto Noguera becomes available in the market, several clubs will be interested in signing the Spanish midfielder.

However, Chennaiyin FC were able to persuade the midfielder to join their team. Noguera spoke about his decision to join Chennaiyin FC. 

“Clifford was the key role because I have known him for a long time. We were together in Goa, working there. The moment he became the head coach, he called me. For me it was an easy decision because I wanted to work with him. It was a good opportunity for him and for me as well. On the other hand, when I have an offer from another club, I always try to call some friends. I ask them about the club, the city, about everything.”

“When I told them that I had this offer, I called some friends that were here playing, like Gurkirat or some other players. All of them were saying good things about the city, about the club, about the people working around. For me, it was an important thing. When you have all these things together and they always say good things, it’s an easy decision.”, added Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on Clifford Miranda

Alberto Noguera has always stated that Clifford Miranda was the primary reason for joining the team owing to their prior relationships in Goa.

The Spanish midfielder explained what aspects of Clifford fascinated him and motivated him to join Marina Machans.

“We had the conversations about coming here. The first thing I wanted to know is how the team will play. There are certain ways of playing that maybe they don’t fit with me. I always want to kick the ball, try to do attractive football with the ball and everything. If the club and the coach want to do that, I’m happy. It’s the only way I like to play. I’ve been playing this way for many years. That’s one thing.”

“The other thing is that when I spoke to Clifford about becoming head coach, the side that he has to prove that he can do good, the team, the project, everything. It was the thing that made me think about it and take it as a good offer.”, insisted Alberto Noguera

Alberto Noguera on moving to direct rivals

Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC have a rich past of being fierce rivalries. Noguera made a direct swap from rivals Bengaluru FC to Marina Machans, and the Spanish midfielder discussed whether this rivalry played a role in the move. 

“I know about the rivalry that they had. Of course, you have to consider all these things. But wherever I go, I always try to do my best. In the end, we are professionals. And wherever we go, we try to give our best. Of course, I understand the fans. I understand some people don’t like that. But I’ve always been professional. I gave my best to BFC. And now I try to give my best to Chennai.”, told Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on his time in India

Alberto Noguera first arrived in India for the 2020-21 ISL season, when he was signed by FC Goa by Juan Ferrando. Since then, he has played five full seasons in India and is currently in his sixth.

He recently made his 100th appearance in the league against Mohun Bagan SG. Noguera talked about his time in the country and why he stayed for so long. 

“First of all, I’m very proud to reach this number of games. I’ve been very happy here in the country, in all the clubs I’ve played for. When you are coming from the other part of the world, and you are coming here to India, the first year is always difficult. Because it’s very different things around.”

“I’ve always felt that love. With the teammates, with the coaches, with the people working in the club. For me, it has always been very easy to make decisions. Because I’m happy here. As far as I’m happy, I will keep being around.”, commented Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on what it’s like to play for top clubs and mid-table sides

Since his arrival in India with Goa, Alberto Noguera has played for clubs that compete for the championship or shield every season. Despite being two-time winners, Chennaiyin FC has spent the previous five to six seasons in the middle of the table and has become a mid-table side.

Noguera spoke on the differences between playing for Chennaiyin FC compared to Mumbai City and Bengaluru FC.

“For me, it has been the same. The league is not finished. We don’t know how it will finish, but I’m always trying to compete. It doesn’t matter where I’m playing. I told the coach before coming here, if I’m coming here, it’s because I think we have a good project. Good players. And I want to be… I don’t know if I will be on top. But I will try to compete with the best clubs in India.”

“I always want to go to a place where they have this hunger to compete. To win titles, to win games. It was one of my conditions to come here. In football, you never know what is going to happen. But at least I want to feel that not just me, but the other players, the coaches, the people around, they want to compete. I know it’s going to be difficult. But we will try to compete at the end.”, insisted Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on his preferred position

Alberto Noguera has played both box-to-box and offensive midfield for Clifford Miranda this season. While Noguera is forced to play deep to recycle possession, he performs best when given the opportunity to stay forward and create chances.

When asked which position he prefers to play the most, Noguera added the following. 

“I have always been an attacking player, but I have to defend. When I have to help the team build up, I will do it. I am here to help the team and play wherever the coach decides. As a professional, we have to do what we can do the best to help the team and the club.”, added Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on leadership duties

At the start of the season, Clifford Miranda announced his five leaders for the season ahead, and Alberto Noguera was one of them alongside Elsinho, Pritam, Mandar, and Bemammer.

The Spanish midfielder talked about his role as a leader among the squad’s younger players. 

“I know I’m 36 now. And there are players, very young that are coming in the team. As always, I just like to help them and try to give them advice in all the things that I can, on and off the pitch. Because when I was a younger player, I wanted to listen to the senior players if they had any advice. So I’m just trying to do the same.”

“I know that they can do good things in football. I know that they have the ability. I just try to give them some experience from my side to try to make them improve. And they have many years in front of them. So they can prove that they can play in the ISL. That’s it. I try to help.”, answered Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on the performance so far this season

“After what happened in the summer, it was very difficult. Because we came here, we didn’t have much time to train. New coach, new philosophy, new players, new everything. So, in the beginning it was a bit difficult. But we need to settle. We need to compete with the others. I think we are getting better. It takes time. It will not be easy. But we want to go every game.”, added Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on improving from set-pieces

Marina Machans have struggled to score goals from set pieces this season. Noguera, one of the team’s major set-piece takers, discussed what steps are being taken to improve this concern. 

“Not only in set-pieces, we need to improve in other things. And we are working on it. We need to improve in set-pieces, we have to improve in defense and attack, in many things. If we want to compete with the best teams in India, we need to improve in many things. But we are trying to work in all these things. Day by day. in training.”, acknowledged Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on Chennaiyin’s youngsters

Noguera, a player who has spent five to six years in India and has worked with a couple of excellent Indian players, was asked about the present Chennaiyin youngsters.

The Spanish midfielder heaped praise on them while not mentioning any names. 

“Not only one. There are many. All these young players, they have the ability, they have the quality to play. It’s just that they have to learn some kind of things. Small details. Those details will make the difference. If they put all the things together. They can become very good players here in India. Maybe for the national team as well.”

“I have to tell everyone. We have many good youngsters here. I am sure that they will prove that in a couple of years, they will be fighting to play in the first eleven. And also, maybe in the national team.”, praised Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on ambitions for the season

The Marina Machans are currently in the bottom half of the ISL standings, with five points from five games. With only eight games remaining, Noguera was asked where the club will potentially finish at the end of the season, and this is what he said. 

“We will try to finish in the top position, in the first, second or third. But you never know what is going to happen if we start winning games. Maybe we will play game by game, and in the end we will see. We can’t say anything because we don’t know what is going to happen in football and every game is a battle. We will try to be on top for sure.”, insisted Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera’s advice to Indian players

Noguera, who has played in the ISL for a long time and made over 100 appearances, has worked with a large number of Indian players of various ages.

When asked if there was anything in particular that Indian players needed to work on, Noguera emphasized the necessity of players not becoming more comfortable.  

“If I have to be honest, the thing they have to improve is, they have to try to work day by day. Because they are Indian, they think they can play easy in ISL, it is not that right. Because the level is going higher and these young guys, they want to play in top division, in top leagues, in top level, here in India. They have to keep improving every day.”

“Also, for me, if I want to keep playing. I have to give my best. So, everything that I am doing, I am trying to give my best, trying to improve every day. Because they are pushing and they have to match that level. And this is my only advice. Keep working, work hard, and nothing else.”, advised Alberto Noguera.

Alberto Noguera on Chennaiyin fans

“We played the first four games away and it was difficult. But always playing at home is easy for us than playing away because we have the support of the fans. We told them a couple of days ago, they were here in our training, helping us, watching us. We were talking with them and we told them, we need them because they are part of the team. They are our 12th man. And I think with their support, with our hard work and everything, we can achieve good things this season.”, applauded Alberto Noguera.

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