Owen Coyle talks about Connor Shields’ future with Chennaiyin FC

Connor Shields and Chennaiyin FC will host Alaeddine Ajaraie’s NorthEast United on Monday

Two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC have officially been knocked out of the race for the playoffs this season. With two games to go in their league season, Owen Coyle and company are looking to gain some form ahead of the upcoming Super Cup next month.

NorthEast United on the other hand need a win in their remaining two games to confirm their berth in the top six. Chennaiyin FC manager Owen Coyle talked to the press ahead of the game, highlighting Alaeddine Ajaraie’s form and Connor Shields’ future with the Marina Machans.

Other clubs have shown interest in Connor Shields

There have been rumours floating over the past week that have linked Connor Shields to other ISL clubs. The Scotsman has enjoyed a wonderful season in the Chennaiyin Blue, creating the most chances in the league and also providing 8 assists to his teammates.

When asked about Connor Shields’ future, the Chennaiyin FC manager said, “Connor loves the club, he loves the fans. They hold him in high esteem and he loves that. He’s had a great relationship, and of course, given Connor’s had a good season, there will be interest, that’s the same as, that’s like somebody saying to me, oh, are you going to try and get Greg Stewart again? I mean, these things are all possible, these are all on the table for everybody, so yeah.”

“Well, it’s like all things, I mean, I had Greg Stewart, we won the ISL Shield at Jamshedpur FC. I brought Greg from Scotland and he did amazing. He had obviously huge interest from clubs and after I had left, Greg moved to Mumbai. Had I stayed, who knows. But what I do know is, Connor Shields is a wonderful player, a wonderful man, he loves being in Chennai.”

Owen Coyle added, “We’d love Connor to stay here, we know what he is as a man and as a player. But then there’s obviously other parties, there’s representatives, there’s different things. What I do know is Connor knows what he has here, he has a fan base and a club that thinks the world of him. There is a lot to be said for that, because of course, there will be financial gain for others, in different places, in different roles.”

“I always felt as a player, what you had to do was pick the place that’s best for your football development, of course finance plays a huge part, we understand that, but there’s got to be a balance in knowing, oh, this is a really good fit for me, this place, and they’re going to give me the very best what they can do, and I feel good about it. Many times I’ve seen players all over the world move to other clubs for huge finances, and they don’t play at those clubs, and then they’re unhappy, as people and as footballers, because the object of football is that you want to play all the time.”

Owen Coyle’s thoughts on Alaeddine Ajaraie

Another player that is expected to be on the hotlist of quite a few ISL clubs is Alaeddine Ajaraie. The Moroccan has enjoyed a stellar season with NorthEast United, scoring 20 league goals and also helping them win the Durand Cup this season.

When asked about Ajaraie, Owen Coyle said, “Yeah, I think first and foremost we have to recognise that he’s had an amazing season, I mean, Ajaraie is a wonderful player, he works hard, but he’s the same lad that played against us when we won 3-2 at North East, so we know what his capabilities are.”

“Ajaraie can play through the middle as well, he can play off to the left, he can pop up on the right. It’s important there’s focus and concentration, because he does find himself in good positions and he’s a wonderful finisher. To score 20 goals in the league in 22 games, I mean, that’s a goal a game. To add to that, he is strong and he always seems available for games, and that’s the type of players any coach would want in their team.”

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