He left town and the membership after a triumphant season final yr. Even although many days have passed by, Fran Gonzalez’ coronary heart nonetheless beats for Kolkata and Mohun Bagan. The self-proclaimed Mariner that he’s, Gonzalez needed to proceed taking part in for his beloved membership, however future had different plans for him.
‘Refused’ and ‘betrayed’ as he feels typically at Gostha Pal Sarani, he lastly moved to Bengaluru. Now, on the eve of the ISL derby, he shared his ideas solely with the Indian Express. (Read in Bengali)
How has your life been since transferring to Bengaluru? Can we anticipate you to return to Kolkata if provided in future?
This season is one that’s being carried out in unusual circumstances with the bio-bubble and empty stadiums and it isn’t straightforward for anybody concerned. But it’s all a part of the expertise. My change to Bengaluru FC has been difficult but additionally fulfilling in so some ways. It would have been good to expertise town, its tradition, the followers that I’ve heard a lot about and to have the ability to play on the Kanteerava. But like I stated, it has been an odd time and season owing to the pandemic and we’ve got to take all of it in. I at all times love gathering experiences by soccer and this has been a particular one too.
About a return to Kolkata sooner or later, who is aware of? At this second, I’m dedicated to Bengaluru and to assist the membership end the season on the very best be aware. Once that’s executed, we’ll then see.
Do you miss Kolkata and it’s soccer? How is it completely different from the fashion at Bengaluru FC?
Definitely. I had a fantastic yr with Mohun Bagan final season the place we received the championship. I solely have fond recollections of town, the membership, its followers and all of the love and respect they confirmed me. Style-wise, each the golf equipment have their very own strategy to the sport and as professionals, you must adapt. So much will depend on the coach, the gamers round and the way in which the membership desires to play.
What does Mohun Bagan imply to you? You have been a passionate Mariner and a darling to Mohun Bagan followers. Have you shrugged off the tags bestowed on you or are you prepared to proceed to be a Mariner perpetually?
Like I stated earlier, I’ve solely fond recollections from my time at Mohun Bagan. The followers welcomed me and made my time on the membership and within the metropolis, particular. That season, all the things we achieved and the love of the followers will at all times keep in my coronary heart.
ATK-MB to play East Bengal within the second derby quickly. Who do you assume may have the final snicker? Will you miss taking part in derby and provides us a quick in your favorite derby expertise out of your complete profession?
The derby was a particular expertise for me and I really feel it’s the presence of the followers that contributes a lot to it. The final derby I used to be a part of, we ended up successful 2-1 and that was a improbable day. This season, ATK Mohun Bagan appear to be flying excessive with so many constant performances. They are a powerful unit and possess high quality in each space on the pitch and that’s the explanation why they’re on prime of the desk. East Bengal, like us, are going by a tricky season. However, they do have loads of high quality with their foreigners and if all of them flip up, it could possibly be a really powerful encounter.
ATK MB have been a dominant power this season. What has made them so sturdy?
As I discussed earlier, they’re a really compact and robust unit. They possess gamers with particular person brilliance and so they mix effectively as a crew. They have been churning out outcomes even whether it is late within the recreation, and all these facets come collectively to place them on prime of the desk.
What’s your tackle coach Robbie Fowler?
I don’t even know him
What went unsuitable for Bengaluru FC this season? Once a successful crew now stumbling on every match. How has the crew modified for the reason that departure of coach Carles Cuadrat?
It has been a tough season owing to so many elements. But that is soccer and it’s certain to occur even to the most effective groups. As a crew, we fell brief on many events. Then there have been accidents to so many key gamers all through that didn’t assist. However, on the time of doing this interview, we’re nonetheless inside a mathematical likelihood of constructing the play-off phases and we’ve got been displaying some good character in the previous couple of video games. Carles Cuadrat has been on the membership for 5 years, and perhaps the administration felt the membership wanted a brand new, contemporary perspective. The circumstances have meant that the children have needed to step up and I at all times take pleasure in attempting to assist them out, share my expertise with them, as a result of they’re the way forward for this membership. It’s been tough, however it has taught all of us a lot.
You have been supposed to affix Kerala Blasters reuniting with former coach Kibu Vicuna earlier than ISL. What led you to affix Bengaluru as an alternative of Kerala?
As everybody is aware of I had one other season contract with Mohun Bagan and I couldn’t signal with one other membership till October. It was a really lengthy switch window for me and my household with just a few choices to decide on. Anyway I’m comfortable to be right here with Bengaluru, I’ve discovered loads these few months, it made me even stronger.
How have you ever utilised lockdown final yr? What has been your pandemic expertise?
As an expert footballer, you’re at all times touring and also you don’t essentially do it together with your loved ones. So I made the a lot of the lockdown by spending sufficient time with my accomplice and my son. After a profitable final season, I felt I wanted a while off to calm down and take my thoughts away from soccer for a bit and that’s precisely what I did. I’m consistently attempting to be taught new issues, broaden my information on completely different topics and acquire new views. The lockdown helped achieve this a lot of that. Of course, it has been such a tough time for the world and it additionally makes you’re feeling grateful for good well being and a snug life.
