Owen Coyle opens up about Lionel Messi led Argentina’s proposed friendlies in India

Chennaiyin FC will take on their Southern Rivals Kerala Blasters on Sunday.

Indian Super League sides Kerala Blasters and Owen Coyle’s Chennaiyin FC will be vying for bragging rights this Sunday in Kochi. Both sides are hungry and are contenders for the top six this season.

Kerala Blasters are coming into the game on the back of three consecutive losses. Chennaiyin FC on the other hand drew 1-1 against Mumbai City FC before the international break. A win for the Marina Machans will keep them in the top four of the ISL table.

Chennaiyin FC manager Owen Coyle addressed the press before the game against the Kerala Blasters. Here’s what the Scotsman said when quizzed about the Blasters’ attack and the Argentine football team’s rumored arrival in India next year.

Owen Coyle on Jesus Jimenez and Kerala Blasters’ Attack

KBFC’s Jesus Jimenez has been in form, scoring in each of their last five games. With Noah Sadaoi returning from injury as well, the Blasters will certainly have a massive boost before the game.

When Owen Coyle was quizzed about Kerala Blasters’ in-form attack line, the Chennaiyin FC manager said, “Jimenez is a wonderful player. Not only Jimenez but you’ve got Luna, Pepra, Noah. These are top, top players. Kerala have a wealth of attacking options. Ultimately, you can only play with four foreigners.”

Owen Coyle continued, “So if they play the four in attack then they don’t have anything further back. So that’s the problem we all have as head coaches when you have six very talented foreigners. But obviously, only four can start so it’s about getting that balance.”

Talking about how his side will have to neutralize KBFC’s attacking threat, Owen Coyle said, “We have to make sure we’re defending very, very well. Cut out the elementary mistakes, which we made earlier. If somebody gets something against you it has to be because it’s been some wonderful play, from top, top players. So we need to make sure we’re focused on that. If we do that, we know that we can hurt teams.”

Owen Coyle on Argentina’s arrival to India

FIFA World Cup 2022 winners Argentina are expected to play in Kerala in 2025. While it is not decided whom they will be playing against, rumors state that it won’t be the Indian football team.

When quizzed about this, Owen Coyle said, “When I worked in America as head coach of Houston Dynamo, Argentina had also come there. They came to Houston not to play the USA but they came in and they played against Bolivia.”

“I don’t know who the game will be against, here in Kerala. I mean, I’d love it if it was against India because I think that would certainly help everybody. Everyone wants to see good players and good teams and if you.”

Singing praises of the Argentine football team, Owen Coyle said, “Their professionalism, their attitude is outstanding and that’s why they’re top players. I don’t know how long Argentina’s coming for, I would hope they’re coming for a week at least. I certainly hope the local team or the Kerala U18s team gets to train with them. That will help the players.”

Owen Coyle concluded by saying, “Ultimately, if you’re a football lover, you want to see a good team. Now, there’s a financial cost to that and that’s where people will have their argument about. Can money be better spent on different things? All I can testify to is the quality of the football and they are outstanding players.”

“If we in India want to strive to get better and improve, and eventually, God willing, the national team reach a World Cup, then these are the kind of teams you will get to see up close. So the politics and the financial stuff, I’ll leave that to others. But from a footballing perspective, of course, anytime an Argentine or a Brazil or a top team comes, then you want to see that.”

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