Team Chennai replaced Bangalore Titans as the eighth franchise in the Hero Indian Super League and picked former France defender Bernard Mendy (joint highest paid foreign player at $80,000) in the international players’ draft.
Kerala Blasters snapped up Indian-origin Michael Chopra ($58,185). After seven rounds of drafts, Team Goa emerged the highest spender (Rs. 2.46 crore on seven players).
The former Newcastle United striker’s wish to change nationality was revealed by KB marquee player-manager David James, midway through the draft process. Chopra had expressed his wish to represent India and opened talks with then national coach Bob Houghton in 2010. The Indian Government stipulation ruling citizens with dual nationality not eligible to wear India colours came in the way.
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HISL, scheduled to kick-off from October 12, welcomed Team Chennai as the new entry. “The ownership will be revealed at the appropriate time. Prashant Agarwal of Playon Skills, which have a technical arrangement with Italian club Inter Milan, represented them at the draft,” said Anupam Dutta, newly-appointed CEO of the event’s holding company, named Football Sports Development Private Limited (FSDPL).
Mendy for Chennai
Mendy was Chennai’s choice as the first draft pick, fellow Frenchman Gregory Arnolin (also holding $80,000 price tag) became part of Team Goa, the highest spender among eight franchises. Others were Pune City (five players for Rs 1.75 cr), Delhi Dynamos (five, 1.62), Kerala Blasters (seven, 1.98), Team Goa (seven, 2.46), Team Mumbai (seven, 2.10), Team Chennai (seven, 2.34), North-East United (five, 1.62), Atletico de Kolkata (six, 2.17), totalling Rs 16.04 crore on 49 internationals.
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