Making players from different nationalities into a combative unit is a tough task for Mumbai City FC manager Peter Reid due to the limited time available since accepting the assignment.
The Mumbai City team comprises forwards Nicolas Anelka (France), Diego Nadaya (Argentina), midfielders Fredrik Ljungberg (Sweden), Jan Stohanzl (Czech Republic), Germany’s Manuel Friedrich in the defence to name a few. Six foreigners can be drafted into the playing XI.
The Indians and foreigners had already been chosen before the franchise appointed the Englishman to manage the squad. Reid has handled teams in Thailand earlier apart from the high-profile Manchester City.
The collection of Indian players is impressive, starting from custodian Subrata Paul, experienced Syed Nabi and teenager Lalrindika Ralte in the midfield and Subshash Singh in the forwardline. All the Indian internationals are fit and in form.
Mumbai City’s performances in ISL’s early games will depend on the awareness shown by the Indians about specific roles in the team formation, giving breathing space to the foreign stars to adjust to heat and variable ground conditions.
Pre-event friendlies arranged by the franchise with I-League teams such as Air-India, ONGC, Mumbai club side Union Bank revealed that the foreign stars were holding back due to cramps and dehydration, though their superior touch on the ball and incredible vision for space was evident when Anelka, Nadaya, Ljungberg and Friedrich were tried out.
Anelka will miss the first three games owing to a previous suspension enforced by English Football Association. The presence of Steve Darby in the preparation phase will be useful. Reid and Darby worked together in Thailand and the latter is familiar with the Indians from his Mohun Bagan stint and football education project in Manipur.
Darby’s inputs on domestic players and understanding of Reid’s ways in team building will make up for lost time. Luckily for Mumbai City, the opening fixture is at Salt Lake stadium. For the ex-Bagan coach and domestic stars Subrata, Nabi, the venue is like second home.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Andre Pereira, Subrata Paul, Ishan Debnath.
Defenders: Manuel Friedrich, Illias Polialis, Juan Letzelter, Pavel Cmovs, Deepak Mondal, Peter Costa, Raju Gaikwad, Abhishek Yadav.
Midfielders: Fredrik Ljungberg, Francisco Luque, Jan Stohanzl, Tiago Ribeiro, Asif Kottayil, Lalrinfela, Lalrindika Ralte, Syed Nabi, Rohit Mirza, Ram Malik.
Forwards: Diego Nadaya, Nicolas Anelka, Nadung Bhutia, Subhash Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh.
Head Coach: Peter Reid.
Assistant Coach: Steve Darby.
Owners: Bimal Parekh and Ranbir Kapoor.
Watch out for:
Subrata Paul: First-choice goalkeeper despite the option in Portugal youngster Andre Pereira, this Indian thrives on the big stage. Reach and reflexes assist him become an imposing presence in the goalmouth. The only India pro in the ISL with a Euro club contract (FC Vestsjaelland), he will grow in stature playing along with the Bundesliga defender Manuel Friedrich.
Nicolas Anelka: Value of his presence will be known when the French livewire joins ISL action after missing the first three ties due to technicality. High-calibre finisher for world’s glamour clubs in France, Italy, Spain, England, he will be tracked by fans and marked by defenders.
