OT: Michael Chopra

I read the highlighted bit about next phase of his career being in the Indian Premier League coupled with his gambling history, I'm not convinced its the best place for a recovering gambling addict! Maybe he is seen as maluable by the powers that be there.

Striker Michael Chopra has hit out at former club Blackpool, claiming players were forced to wash their own kit and clean their boots.

Chopra spent the end of last season with the Seasiders, playing 18 times without scoring, and was shocked by the treatment he claims the players were forced to endure at Bloomfield Road.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "Things that were going on there were unbelievable. I could see that happening last year, you look at kit men and things like that.

"We only had a kit man on matchdays - I don't mind cleaning my own boots because I have done that when I was a little boy. But you have to go home and wash your own kit and bring it to training, you have to take your boots to games and you didn't really get food after games and things like that.

"They can't go from where they were in the Premier League to where they are now. It looks like they have only played a few games and are heading for League One.

"It's disappointing because the fans are brilliant, they turn up in their thousands every week, and they want the best for Blackpool Football Club."

The next phase of Chopra's career will see him play for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Premier League, a move which he hopes will kickstart his career following his much-publicised gambling addiction.

"It's going to take me a while to earn that money again and get back to where I was," he said. "My main objective is to play football and the sport that I love and that's why I am going to India.

"People talk about what's gone on in the past but I believe I am a better person and I am looking forward to the future.

"I have got past those demons. Obviously they are there but I am overcoming it and looking forward to the future."

The Newcastle Academy product has scored 114 goals in his career and has featured for a number of clubs including Sunderland, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Watford and Ipswich.

 

Top player and all round good egg is chopra.

 

He is indeed, having spread his goodness across the UK, he has decided to let the sub-continent see him in his magnificence.
Apparently, willing to give up his British Citizenship, so he can play for India as well.
How fortunate are they?

 

Has a long term problem with gambling, wasted his money along with his talent, I know from family members.

 

Agree totally. The way he ran off the bench to pop one in before Luque wrapped it up made me smile. Plus I had money at 80/1 at half time.

 

Lets not forget him missing that chance..................