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Transitioning from the I-League to the Indian Super League (ISL) has often presented numerous hurdles for young Indian talents. However, this hasn’t quite been the case for Chennaiyin FC’s dynamic midfielder Jiteshwor Singh.
In an exclusive conversation with Sportskeeda, the 22-year-old disclosed that he initially expected to be gradually integrated into the team.
However, his commitment and quality have been apparent throughout his first two seasons in the ISL, earning him regular game time under both Thomas Brdaric and Owen Coyle.
"It has been a really good journey so far," says Jiteshwor. "I’ve enjoyed the challenges. I joined from the I-League and thought that I would predominantly be used as a backup at the start. But I worked hard on the training pitch, which ultimately led to my consistent inclusion in the team last year.”
Jiteshwor had a relatively smooth first year; however, the trajectory took a slight downturn at the beginning of this season. He started just thrice in the first seven games and struggled to hit the performance levels displayed last season.
Nevertheless, he has shown the ability to take it on the chin and bounced back to become a crucial part of Coyle’s well-oiled machine during the latter half of the campaign.
Reflecting on those struggles, he said:
"It was a tough start to this season. If you remember, back in September, I joined very late due to my participation in the India under-23s AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. I didn’t have the proper time to prepare for the ISL. In our first match against Odisha FC away from home, the game was stopped for some time due to bad weather, and I struggled to perform at my best due to the conditions and my lack of preparation."
"The external circumstances didn’t help at times. Maybe at some level, the coach lost a bit of confidence at the start. But over the past two months, I believe I have gained a thorough understanding of my role, which is a factor that helped my confidence level," Jiteshwor added.
It’s certainly been a season to remember for Chennaiyin FC. For the first time in four years, they have set foot in the knockout rounds, although the journey wasn’t without its challenges. At one stage, they found themselves languishing 11th in the standings.
However, according to Jiteshwor, things changed after their defeat to Hyderabad FC. The subsequent three-week break allowed them to reflect on their performances, leading to a turnaround where they won their next three games and secured a spot in the top six.
"Overall, from the team’s perspective, it has been a testing season for all of us so far. We have had up-and-down moments throughout the season. But during the recent international break, it seemed like everything started to click, and then to win in Kolkata against Mohun Bagan gave us a massive boost. To achieve the playoff spot after all the work the team has put in is certainly quite rewarding," he stated.
Now, the focus shifts to the all-important playoffs, where they will face FC Goa. Historically, Chennaiyin have held an advantage over the Gaurs in knockout rounds, but this season has been one-sided.
FC Goa have emerged victorious in all three encounters, scoring 11 times, while conceding just twice. The most recent defeat happened just last week, where they halted CFC’s winning streak with a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
Quizzed about whether that defeat has affected the team’s morale, the midfielder responded:
"We had already qualified, which allowed us some freedom, knowing that the outcome wouldn’t change anything. We put in maximum effort during the last game, but the red card made it really tough. But the atmosphere in the dressing room has remained confident because we are aware of our strong performances in recent weeks and we know what to do. Now going into the playoffs, we maintain our confidence that we can win and play the semis in front of our supporters."
The ultimate dream is to lift the ISL trophy - Chennaiyin FC’s Jiteshwor Singh
Owen Coyle has undeniably played a significant role in Chennaiyin FC’s rise. More importantly, he has exhibited patience with the Indian talents, affording them the time and opportunity to develop. Jiteshwor is among those talents who have shone brightly, and he has certainly reserved plenty of praise for his head coach.
"He is a top coach both on and off the field. He gives individual attention to every player and is easily approachable not only to me but to all players. That has made life quite easy for all of us. There is also clarity in what every player is doing, which we can see on the pitch," Jiteshwor said.
That clarity in the role is something that Jiteshwor discussed previously as well, so when asked to expand further on his responsibilities, he took his time to provide a detailed explanation. He also identified the areas where he is striving for improvement.
"To go into detail, the coach has instructed me to position myself in front of the center-backs, with the aim of stopping counter-attacks. I’m also giving extra attention to improve my passing skills, particularly focusing on through passes and reverse passes to the forwards, which are important in breaking the lines and progressing the play. My major goal is to be more efficient in passing, reduce mistakes and focus on positioning without the ball," Jiteshwor explained.
It also appears that Jiteshwor has established a solid partnership with Connor Shields, which has undoubtedly been instrumental in Chennaiyin FC’s recent success.
When asked about Shields, the first word that came to Jiteshwor’s mind was ‘machine’, which is hardly surprising considering his performances. He further elaborated on how he has adjusted his game when playing alongside the Scotsman in a midfield pivot.
"Connor Shields is like a machine. He tirelessly runs and covers all the pitch, and his energy levels are unmatched. I’m similar to him in some ways, but the difference is I try to maintain my position on the pitch. I don’t move as much as him. For example, if he presses on the right side, I stay central to cover him and the back four. That is my role in this system," he said.
"There has always been quite a good understanding between us. That midfield balance is very important, so the communication between us in terms of when to press and when to stay plays a crucial role," Jiteshwor added.
His ultimate dream, he states when asked about his aspirations for the near future, is to lift the ISL trophy and nothing else. This sentiment certainly reflects the focus of the entire team at the moment.
However, for Jiteshwor, his rise into one of India’s most talented midfielders within a short period is remarkable, and there is undoubtedly more to come, given his talent and mentality.
