ISL 2022-23: Can’t play with the pressure of being defending league winners – Daniel Chima

Jamshedpur FC striker Daniel Chima thinks the club can’t play with the pressure of being the defending league winners. Jamshedpur FC is yet to secure their maiden win of the season and they are currently in 10th position with one draw and one loss.

Jamshedpur FC had finished the previous season with 13 wins in 20 matches and a total of 43 points, which was the most for any team in the history of the league stage in the tournament. Thus, the Red Miners won their maiden League Shield trophy after finishing at the top of the points table.

Meanwhile, Daniel Chima Chukwu has once again hit the straps for Jamshedpur FC as he has scored two goals in two matches in the ongoing season.

Speaking with the official website of Hero ISL, Chukwu shed light on his key to success, “I am only trying to be in the right position at the right time, hoping for goals, which happened in the last two games.”

Chukwu had received great support from Greg Stewart in the last edition of the tournament but the latte parted ways with the club. The Nigerian now plays with Harry Sawyer and he feels a lot depends on the coach on how he wants them to play.

He said, “We have to deal with the fact that he (Stewart) has left the team and try to make amends with everything that we have got. And for me, it does not matter whether to be a lone striker or have to play with a strike partner. Everything is dependent on what and how the coach wants us to play.”

The 31-year-old admitted that the team wouldn’t be able to play at their best if they take pressure on their shoulders.

Chukwu added, “You have to tell everyone in the dressing room to calm down and not to get winded up. We will end up playing rubbish if we let the pressure get into us; we need to relax and play each game as it comes.”

Jamshedpur FC will next take on NorthEast United FC on Sunday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.