‘ATK will try to play like U-17 World Cup champs England’

KOLKATA: Memories of the world under-17 champions England will linger if Teddy Sheringham can get ATK to walk the talk in the fourth edition of the Indian Super League (ISL), which the defending champions kick-off away to Kerala Blasters on November 17.

“We were very impressed and it was a very unusual style (for an England team). They were playing much better from the back, were in control.

“Hopefully, we will take some lead from them and take that into the season,” said Sheringham, at an event to unveil ATK’S new shirt for the season here on Monday.

Having outplayed Spain 5-2, England under-17 coach Steve Cooper had said: “We beat Spain by playing our game. If it is similar to Spain, great but this is us. Not one long ball, it was pass, pass, pass and getting to play as a team....”

If that is what Sheringham, capped 51 times by England, meant by the “British style”, the legacy of Atletico de Madrid could outlive its association with the franchise, one which fetched two ISL titles and a semi-final berth in three seasons.

But getting a squad of 25 to play like the Young Lions after three-and-a-half weeks of train- ing in Dubai and a clutch of friendlies could be easier said than done.

So, Sheringham, whose managerial experience is eight months and a bit more at Stevenage in the English third division, also said: “I can only lead by the way I grew up. I will pass on what I know and that is the British mentality… The Indian players have been adapting well.”

“The results might not be good in the first couple of weeks. There is not much of video analysis to go on, so everyone will be turning their TVS on for the first three-four games. The homework will be done in the early stages (of the competition),” said Sheringham, 51.

AMAR TEAM KOLKATA

With the relationship with Atletico Madrid all but severed, ATK now stands for ‘Amar Team Kolkata’, according to principal owner Sanjiv Goenka, from ‘Amar Tomar Kolkata’ as he had said in July. ‘Amar Team Kolkata’ means ‘My team is Kolkata’ while ‘Amar Tomar Kolkata’ stands for ‘Kolkata for you and me’.

Former Ireland captain Robbie Keane was named captain. At 37, he would be the franchise’s oldest captain. Borja Fernandez, who led ATK in 2015 and 2016, was 36 last year as was Luis Garcia when he was named skipper in 2014.