Michael Chopra carved out a great football career in England, racking up over 400 league and cup appearances for various clubs. He never lived out his dream of playing for India, but Chopra played for England at youth level and represented many popular British teams.
The Competitive EFL Championship
Many of Chopra’s greatest moments came in the EFL Championship, England’s second tier behind the Premier League. Chopra played for the likes of Cardiff City and Ipswich Town, finding the net regularly. The Championship is one of the greatest football leagues, and there is a fascinating promotion battle ongoing this season. Casino Stake is one of the best slot sites around, and you can also get competitive odds on football. Right now, Leicester City are the favourites to win the title at 43/100, while Leeds United are priced at 31/10.
Chopra played many games in England’s second tier and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in the Championship on two occasions. His goals helped fire Cardiff to a Championship play-off final in 2010, though the Bluebirds missed out on promotion to the Premier League after a 3-2 defeat to Blackpool at Wembley Stadium.
ON THIS DAY:
03/04/2010 – “Chance for Chopra to win it… he has!”@MichaelChopra scores a 92nd minute winner in the South Wales derby at the CCS. Bedlam.
Goalscorers:
Chopra x2Orlandi
Highlights: https://t.co/fmdSPvlwwP pic.twitter.com/5MdKvWQGky
— You are my Cardiff (@CardiffCity_27) April 3, 2024
Chopra also played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Sunderland. He started his career with the Magpies before making a permanent switch to Cardiff in 2006. He was back in the EPL a year later with Newcastle’s rivals, Sunderland, but the forward never really made an impact at the Stadium of Light.
Chopra’s Indian Connections
Despite being born and raised in England, Chopra could have represented India through his father. His father was born in Punjab, which made Chopra eligible to play for the Blue Tigers. He was keen on playing for the India national team and entered talks over acquiring an Indian passport to play in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. However, Chopra was refused dual citizenship and never got to live out his dream of playing for India in a major tournament.
Chopra did manage to play domestic football in India a few years later, signing for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League in 2014. He moved back to Britain when he signed for Alloa Athletic but returned to Kerala Blasters in 2016. Chopra retired from football shortly after but made a comeback by signing for West Allotment Celtic in 2022.
Michael Chopra got FOUR in an 11-goal thriller at Turf Moor on this day in 2003! 🔙#WatfordFC | @MichaelChopra pic.twitter.com/zdOIglv9EU
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) April 5, 2024
One of the Best British South Asian Footballers
Chopra was a goal machine at Championship level and scored in the Premier League for both Newcastle and Sunderland. Although he played for England at youth level and never got to represent India, he was proud of his father’s heritage and did everything he could to be a part of the Indian national team. He was even willing to surrender his British citizenship to play for the Blue Tigers.
Having played over 300 league games in England, the former England youth international will go down as one of the most popular British South Asian players of all time.
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