Football
Gabriel Tan 4y

Charyl Chappuis can't wait to repay Port FC's faith when Thai League 1 returns

Charyl Chappuis cannot wait to get back onto the field with Port FC when the Thai League 1 campaign resumes later this year.

Chappuis, a domestic treble winner with Buriram United in 2013 and who has spent the past three years with Thai giant Muangthong United, had just started a new stint with Port before everything was shut down.

"I know I had a really difficult year last year at Muangthong ..." Chappuis told ESPN in an exclusive interview. "I really hope I can show everyone on the field that the club made the right decision to sign me and I'm really looking forward."

The 28-year-old was one of several big names to arrive at PAT Stadium and bolster an already impressive squad in the offseason -- including fellow Muangthong veterans Heberty and Adisak Kraisorn -- leading to talk that Port could be genuine title contenders this season.

Just four games into the new campaign, where Port won three and drew one, football in Thailand was brought to a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Thai League season is scheduled for a September restart that will now run to May. It is a change from the usual February to October schedule and now mirrors the European football calendar.

"I'm lucky enough that I've played for three big teams in Thailand and Thai Port is something new. It's one of the oldest clubs right now in the league with a lot of tradition, but it was never -- for the last couple of years -- [able to reach] the top.

"I feel like this year many teams have a chance to win the league, especially now after the break maybe some teams will get even stronger [with new signings].

"But I also feel like we're one of the favourites and I'm looking forward to winning another title in Thailand."

Having finished third in Thai League 1 in the past two seasons, Port will look to their new arrivals to put them over the top.

Chappuis is confident Port can match up against reigning champions Chiangrai United and perennial challengers Buriram. He is also hopeful that strong club showing will bring him closer to his dream of returning to the Thai national team.

"I'm now a part of that [the older members in the team] so that's also something new and I'm really looking forward to help the younger players on the field or even off the field.

"Actually, what is most motivating me is that almost everyone doesn't believe anymore that I will start in the first XI.

"I really want to be back in the national team again after missing the past few years and I'm ready to do my best to prove people wrong, and that I still deserve to be back in the national team and especially at Thai Port."

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