MUMBAI: Arsenal's celebrated manager Arsene Wenger has warned that it is not just that cash awash Chinese Super League that should be a concern for the leading football leagues in Europe, but the India Super League as well.
Former Premier League stars Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise, Diego Forlan, Florent Malouda and Aaron Hughes have all been lured to India.
Similarly, Steve Coppell, Zico, Gianluca Zambrotta and Marco Materrazzi have managed in the ISL.
"It demands years of culture and work. You do not create a top league just like that, but personally I am very happy and I expect India to come to the game, and hope it will happen," Wenger was quoted by the English media as saying Thursday when asked what it would take to make a league competitive.
Wenger warned the Chinese and Indian leagues not to expect instant success.
"Professional football was created in England 150 years ago and we still struggle,' said Wenger. "It's a slow process of creating a football culture. In China it's new."
"When I went to Japan it was 1995 and their professional league had been created in 1993. You expect reflexes that are not there because players don't have the culture of professional football. It will take time."
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