Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane have spoken up about their Indian Super League (ISL) stints with Kerala Blasters and ATK respectively.
The Bulgarian forward joined Kerala Blasters in the summer of 2017 to reunite with former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen who had taken charge at the club. Defender Wes Brown also joined the side but the team got off to a dismal start in the fourth season of ISL.
Berbatov also struggled with fitness and was injured at the start of the season. The striker could only score one goal in nine appearances for Kerala Blasters. Poor results also resulted in a managerial change as former Liverpool goalkeeper David James replaced Rene Meulensteen at the helm midway through the season.
Berbatov returned home soon after the conclusion of the league season and his relationship with the coach and the club ended on a sour note. The forward had posted an Instagram story criticising James' tactics.
Berbatov and Keane reveal what it's like playing football in India 🇮🇳
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) May 12, 2018
😬 What's the standard like?
😎 How does Berbatov find playing in midfield?
❌ Keane rejecting the chance to sign Berba! pic.twitter.com/Lbxk5QMU6A
Almost two months after his departure, Berbatov shared his ISL experience, "It was completely different for me. I don't know for Keano (Robbie Keane) but for me, it was a different experience. The way I used to train, preparing for the games.
"The game, the environment as well, it is a different life. It was an adventure. People were so nice and it was a good five months," the striker told Soccer AM.
Speaking about the standard football in India, he said, "You cannot compare it to the Premier League, obviously. It wasn't easy for me. When you're 37, you find things a bit more difficult."
At Kerala Blasters, Berbatov played a deeper role in midfield with Dutch striker Mark Sifneos and later Icelandic forward Gudjon Baldvinsson leading the line. Despite playing in an unfamiliar position, Berbatov had no issues dropping deep. "(Playing in midfield) was easy. When you know how to read football, it is easier for some players."
Robbie Keane's ATK finished the season in ninth, five points better off bottom-placed NorthEast United but the Irish forward scored six goals from his nine appearances in the ISL. He joined the Kolkata-based club after Teddy Sheringham took charge as the head coach in the summer. But Sheringham was sacked after a string of poor results and Ashley Westwood was brought in as the replacement.
The results failed to improve and Westwood stepped down from the position of head coach. Robbie Keane was then appointed as the caretaker coach. Speaking about his experience in India, Keane said, "It definitely is an experience and it opens your eyes up. Football aside, there is a lot of poverty there.
"The people were absolutely fantastic. It was just a great experience and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I went because Teddy Sheringham was there. Unfortunately, he left and after that, it was a bit difficult.
"I ended up being the player-manager, a couple of managers after Teddy. All in all, it wasn't too bad."