Bhaichung Bhutia is a changed man to what he was two years ago. His trip to England has not just made him more skillful on the field but he is a much matured man off it. The green-behind-the-ears amateur who left the land two years back has been transformed into a tough pro after the cut-throat competition of the English League. Following his back-to-back knee surgery, Bhutia is back in India and as ample time to dwell on the past and look at the future. In an exclusive chat with The Indian Express, Bhutia talks about his journey to the motherland of world football and his trip back to his own country.

On the future of Indian football
Pyschologically, the boys have become tougher unlike in the past. This is a good sign. For instance, we missed the second round (World Cup) berth by a whisker and the England tour too was quite fruitful. The British media had some nice things to say for our amateur side. Our performance against top teams like Walsall, Fulham and Brentford, who now leads the English second division, was really credit worthy. Players like Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Mondal, Roberto Fernandes, Sur Kumar Singh, Bijen Singh and Khaled Jameel form a talented bunch and all they need is guidance and loads of confidence.

On Indian team's failure in qualifiers
The truth is we lack aggression. Though we have shown a considerable improvement over the last one year, yet we are still way behind the top footballing nations. This is because our players doesn't get enough foreign exposures. But the root cause of Indian football is its flawed system which urgently needs a major over-hauling. Players are initiated into the game too late. We have talent but there are few who can iron out their technical flaws. Honestly, my two-year stint in England has been an eye-opener and now I can analyse Indian football in the right perspective.

On the role of Professional Footballers Association (PFA)
It is indeed great to have an association who will fight for the players. This is something which I never would have imagined playing in India. Being a member of the association, the PFA has promised to offer their legal advice in the contract controversy with Bury FC. Besides, the PFA is also going to offer me financial help. Contrast this with India, where the players are still a subject of negligence. There's no association or benevolent fund for them. Recently, former India captain Pem Dorjee's death clearly indicates the kind of treatment meted out to the former players. It is high time that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) should think about the players.

On his stint at Bury
It has tremendously boosted my confidence. After my two-year stint, I feel there has been an improvement in my fitness level. And after being exposed to the high level competition, I think I have matured a lot as a player.

On his decision to move to England
I always wanted to learn. Playing for the national team and the clubs in India helped me a lot. But I wanted to learn about international football. Playing in the English League has taught me a lot. Right from the club management and the role of the managers, everything has changed my notion about international football. Highly professional and cut-throat competition. So much so that even during the ‘reserve' League, teams display the same amount of seriousness as they do in international matches.

On Tata Football Academy
TFA has indeed done a great job. We do have a repository of talent and TFA has been nurturing them effortlessly over the years. And ever since its inception in the early eighties, the Indian football has been represented by TFA wards. It still holds a key place in Indian football.

But TFA stars disappear too early
Yeah, that is true. And I think TFA must think over it. Besides, Carlton Chapman nobody turned out to be consistent. Promising players like Aloke Das, Tausif Jamal, Godfred Pereira all faded into obscurity after donning the national colours for a year or so. And the list would be long. What I personally feel is that the TFA should scrutinise five or six top players from the batch and give them the facilities which any international player gets. Representing Mohun Bagan or East Bengal shouldn't be their goal - TFA should reiterate this point to them. Grooming just for the sake of it wouldn't help much.

On his future plans
Things never fall the way I wanted. In January I will go back to England and let's see how things work out. About the Indian clubs offers, I've not yet decided. Besides, the Singapore clubs have also shown some interest. But as of now, I will be going back to Bury in January and wait for my next move.