Young Indian players have a lot of potential: Mumbai City FC midfielder Alberto Noguera

Mumbai City FC midfielder Alberto Noguera reckons young Indian players have a lot of potential and they have shown the ability and the skills to go a long way in their careers. The young players are getting good exposure and they are gaining confidence by rubbing shoulders while playing with the best in the business.

Noguera scored four goals for the Islanders in ISL 2022-23 season and played a key role in helping his team clinch the League Shield trophy by topping the points table. Mumbai City FC’s created a new record as they remained unbeaten in the first 18 matches of the tournament.

The Spaniard played for 903 minutes for Mumbai City FC in ISL 2022-23 season and he was able to deliver the goods for the club.

“The Hero ISL is doing well. They have a lot of room to grow and they’re doing it,” Noguera stated in an interview with myKhel.

Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC’s season came to a halt when they lost to eventual runners-up Bengaluru FC in the semifinals of Hero ISL 2022-23. However, they sealed their place in the AFC Champions League 2023-24 group stage with a 3-1 win against Jamshedpur FC in the Hero Club Playoffs.

The 33-year-old from Madrid added that the expectations will be the same and they will try to win everything in the next season.

“The expectations will be the same. We’re here to try to win everything. We will try to do better than this year. Sometimes you can’t get success every day, next year (we will) play in the AFC Champions League and I think we’re ready,” Noguera said.

Meanwhile, many ISL clubs have made a partnership with the European clubs in order to improve the playing standards at the grassroot level and Noguera feels the ISL is taking steps in the right direction.

“I think they (Indian clubs) are trying to grow and they have to keep doing it. India needs a lot of change at the grassroots and academy levels. They need more places where kids can play. They are putting in a lot of effort and I am sure they will do it,” he opined.

The Spaniard added that the young players should have the hunger in them to keep improving at the top level in order to reap rewards.

“Every year I try to speak with young players. Sometimes I feel they get lazy because they think they have reached their top level. They feel that’s enough, but that shouldn’t be. They should try to be the best players every day, in every training (session). If the youngsters try to push themselves, India has a lot of potential,” Noguera concluded.