Michael Chopras Problem

Even on that sunny day at Bristol City back in August, it was evident that Michael Chopra had a problem.

 

It was evident in his performance level, in the manner in which he took the first goal and his general approach to the game.

It was evident in the following home matches with Hull City and Southampton and in all the subsequent matches.

 

Here was a player who had problems away from the confines of the football pitch.

 

It was evident not because Chopras performances were so poor, but because they were so good. Here was a Premier League footballer playing in the Championship, a circumstance which doesnt occur without external factors playing a significant role.

 

After Chopras two-goals at Bristol sent Town to the top of the embryonic table, Dave Jones candid remarks on national television about his former player were indicative of the off-pitch problems “If his head is right, Chopra will always score goals in the Championship. I think he will be top scorer.”

 

Coupled with the knowledge of Chopras previous spell at a clinic for gambling addiction during his time at Sunderland, the news that Chopra had returned for a spell of rehabilitation was therefore perhaps of little surprise, though generating obvious concern for his well-being.

 

What seems of most importance in all of this is to recognise that, simply put, Ipswich Town are not in a position to be signing Premier League forwards. Yet, in Chopra, Town have demonstrably the best forward seen at the club since Marcus Stewart produced sublime performances on a weekly basis in the Premier League. When considering that owner Marcus Evans only needed to find one million pounds to secure his signature, it looks to be the most impressive bit of business in many years, certainly since Evans has taken charge of the club.

 

Whilst Town fans would have recognised Chopras goalscoring abilities through two spells at Cardiff City, what many have discovered since he has pulled on an Ipswich shirt is that Chopra is a player of far more standing than simply a goalscorer. The forward possesses touch and control befitting of top level players, not least demonstrated in the home game with Brighton, where an astonishing first time control of a 40 yard defensive clearance left Brighton defenders completely wrong-footed as an opportunity was created from nothing. His workrate has drawn comparisons with Stewart, dropping deep to collect the ball from the midfield, closing down opposition defenders and making continual runs across the opposition back line. But there is also the quality of his finishing; aside from the close range finishes which have produced goals against Bristol City and his former club Cardiff City, fans had seen Chopra go ever closer with spectacular efforts from distance, notably hitting the crossbar against Southampton, culminating in the outstanding double against Brighton.

 

Town fans should naturally wish Michael Chopra every encouragement in his battle to overcome his gambling addiction. But from a playing perspective, we have a player who, with the right support and encouragement, is far beyond anything we could possibly expect in the Championship. Indeed, perhaps a player to lead us in the Premier League?