Arguably one of India’s top goalkeepers within the Indian Super League (ISL), Phurba Lachenpa has been Mumbai City FC’s wall between the posts for the past two years. After winning the golden glove in the 2023-24 season, the Indian shot-stopper’s stocks are certainly on the rise as the Indian football team embarks on a new journey with Manolo Marquez at the helm.
Lachenpa who is from Sikkim, joined the Mariners back in 2020. However, until 2022, he found himself as the second-choice keeper behind the likes of the legendary Amrinder Singh till 2021 followed by Mohammad Nawaz till 2022.
Now for two years straight the 26-year-old finds himself as the starting keeper where he has had impressive performances from behind the sticks. However, he is yet to make an impact with the national team where he remains overshadowed by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Speaking in an interaction with News18 Sports, the Indian shot-stopper remains focused on the task at hand, which is the upcoming season where he hopes that his performances can get Mumbai City FC back at the very top.
Ahead of the new season, preparations are fairly simple for Mumbai City FC’s #1; to focus on the minute details rather than making wholesale changes to his style of play. He emphasises that it is important not to change too much and back to the things that have worked for him so far.
“There’re no changes as such because we always try to do things which work for us. As most keepers say, they never try to change our style because whatever works for us, whatever has worked for us in the previous seasons, is better for us. And we just try to improve on small details for goalkeeping. It’s all about small details because we make saves depending on that and in those small seconds, our decision, everything depends on that,” he commented.
Some of the top keepers of the world are those who have been very vocal about showing their personality on the pitch. Take the example of Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez who has been extremely vocal on the pitch which has resulted in his immense record on the international stage. Phurba, however, believes that rather than being vocal just for the sake of it, it’s better to focus on what works for him.
Taking the examples of some of the biggest names in world football, he explained, ” I think every goalkeeper is different in their style, different in their personality. You know, I like Martinez, he’s vocal, but I think Allison on the other hand, is very calm on the ball and with this communication. It depends on the players, and how they want to show their personality. And I think whatever works for us, I think it’s beneficial for us. For me, I think if I’m calm, it works for me.
You know, as you say, Oliver Khan is a very vocal, very aggressive goalkeeper. That works for him. And he always tried to do those things. But looking up to goalkeepers like Jens Lehmann, and Ter Stegen they are very calm, calm goalkeepers. There are no such things as this is wrong or this is right. It all depends on what works for you,” he added.
Speaking about representing the national team, Lachenpa is not too bothered about whether he would get a call-up or not. But rather he remains focused on the task at hand and helps his club with his performances. But that said, he remains confident in himself that he can get the job done if Manolo Marquez does indeed call on his services.
“I’m always ready, to try and give my best, always try to work hard, whether it’s for the country or my club. But it all depends on the coaches, what they want from their goalkeeper or what they want from their players. Technically, whether I fit on their plans or not, it all depends on their coaches. So yeah, for me, I always try to give my best, whether it’s for my country or whether it’s for my club all,” he shared.
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