As the last manager to be signed up for the Indian Super League, Mumbai City FC’s Peter Reid had very little time to know his players or get them to function as per his game plan. The draft pick of domestic, national and foreign stars had been completed before he came on board. So for the first season of the ISL, the Mumbai franchise remains an unknown commodity.
Reid will bank on leaders in the squad to show the way. India custodian Subrata Paul, German defender Manuel Friedrich and Sweden’s attacking midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg have hard-earned reputation and considerable experience to carry the team on their shoulders.
France World Cupper Nicolas Anelka will also have plenty of inputs to offer, even though he is still serving a three-match ban for an act of indiscipline earlier in the English Premier League. The side also has Argentina striker Diego Nadaya and Indians Sushil Kumar Singh, Subhash Singh and Nadong Bhutia upfront. Indian internationals Syed Nabi and Abhishek Yadav, with their experience, should guide the domestic talent. Subrata Paul’s Denmark league exposure will be handy in pressure situations when facing the foreign strikers of rival teams.
Nandakumar Marar
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