Denzil Franco
Interview ~ IndianSuperLeague.com 2014/07/22
Playing in Kolkata will both be an opportunity and challenge for Denzil
Franco, who was picked by Atlético de Kolkata during the domestic player
draft held here in the city. The Goan international right-back, who has
plied his trade in his home state (Salgaocar, Sporting Clube de Goa,
Churchill Brothers) and Mumbai (Mahindra United) is excited about the
prospects of playing in the ‘city of joy’. Here are some excerpts from an
exclusive interview:
What are your reactions on learning that you have been picked by Atlético
de Kolkata?
Denzil Franco: They’ve always said that Kolkata is the Mecca of Indian
football, which I agree with. It has always been my dream to play in Kolkata for one of the big clubs. This did not happen till now because I used to get offers from Goa or Mumbai that kept me back, but now is the opportunity to come to this place. First of all, the crowd is awesome. I just love the atmosphere in the stands. Secondly, the Kolkata people are very passionate about football. I’ve played half my career in Goa so I want to experience something different.
Do you think you will be able to gel with your mates in the new set-up?
Denzil Franco: I’ve played with most of these players in the national team, Cavin (Lobo) was with me at Sporting Goa, so I’m quite used to these players. I’m looking forward to the arrival of Luis García and playing with the other foreigners and also under coach Antonio López Habas who has a lot of top-level experience, and under Jose Barreto, who has made a big name playing in India. He’s a great character!
How do you look back on your stint with Churchill Brothers?
Denzil Franco: That was my best phase of my career. That is where I started playing in the national team on a regular basis. The last four years have been very fruitful for me with the club and we’ve won a lot of trophies, and prestigious ones at that -- the I-League, Federation Cup, Durand Cup, Goa league and IFA Shield. I have some great experiences with the club but it’s time to move on now.
How do you view the national set-up?
Denzil Franco: I played under Stephen Constantine in India under-19 in 2003, Bob Houghton and now Wim Koevermans. They all had their own ways of putting things in front of players and I don’t have much to say about it. We’re doing well under Koevermans even though he is playing a different style, and the first tournament we won after he took over was the Nehru Cup in 2012.
We can do it like we did it in the Nehru Cup if we stay together for a long time. The players need to stay together for a longer time for the team to gel. Just getting together for five days before a match is not enough because we’re coming from different mindsets, different coaches, etc.
Your thoughts on the ISL…
Denzil Franco: I think it’s going to be big. I hope it becomes big. It will be good for Indian players to play with marquee names; it’s the first time something like this is happening in Indian football. Cricket is big here but now football will be big too, so I hope this really works.
