The monopolistic domination of two clubs has become a recurring feature of both the English Premier League and India’s I-League. In the EPL, for the last six years, the winners have been Chelsea (2004-05, 2005-06 and
2009-10) and Manchester United thrice in a row from 2006 to 2009. Similarly, since its inception the I-League has been won twice by Dempo, 2008 and 2010 and Churchill Brothers in 2009. Runners-up on goal difference in 2008, Churchill Brothers should finish second this year also.
The decline of quality opponents has led to the monopoly of a few clubs in both England and India.
Arsenal in debt after the construction of the Emirates Stadium have for some years been unable to buy enough quality players to mount a serious challenge. Similarly Liverpool, bogged down by problems with their American owners and some mis-judgments in the transfer market, have become over-reliant on the form and fitness of Steven Gerrad and Fernando Torres.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool lack the resources and skilled manpower to sustain a long challenge in the 38-game EPL, especially as they have European commitments also.
Liverpool nosedived this season due to injuries to Gerrad and Torres. Both Liverpool and Arsenal for the last few years are invariably contesting for third and fourth place, which guarantees automatic entry in the profitable Uefa Champions League. So it is basically money power which has helped Manchester United and Chelsea surge ahead.
In India, Dempo and Churchill Brothers remain unchallenged because of declining opposition. The once-powerful Kolkata clubs, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, are in disarray and with the disbanding of Mahindra United, there is no opposition to Goa’s two dominant clubs.
Dempo’s coach Armando Colaco — the only man to have won two I-Leagues and two National Football Leagues — explained why the axis of power has shifted to Goa. He said officials and agents in the Kolkata clubs had their own agendas and interfered in the work of the coach and selection of players.
In contrast Armando has a harmonious relationship with his team owners. Dempo were the first club in India to offer long term contracts to their players. For the next season they have a settled squad, retaining all their players except goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal, expected to join East Bengal. His likely replacement, international Arindam Bhattacharya from Churchill Brothers. So continuity is what makes Dempo tick.
Excellent youth development is another reason for Dempo’s dominance. They are the only Indian club to maintain U-13, U-15 and U-17 year’s teams. Several players in this season’s winning squad, strikers Joaquim Abranches, who adequately replaced Sunil Chettri, when the latter left for the USA and Clifton Gonsalves midfielders Peter Carvalho and Clifford Miranda and defenders Cresson Antao and Valerian Rebello have emerged from Dempo’s youth squads. Thus, unlike the Kolkata clubs, Dempo does not have to splurge on foreign players.
Dempo’s I-League triumph this year is remarkable as they only filled half their quota of four foreign recruits, striker Ranty Martins, with them since 2004-05 and midfielder Beto who joined in 2005-06. Dempo could do this because of their youth policy. So it is proper policies and not money power that has enabled Dempo dominate.