Mumbai City FC will have French star Nicolas Anelka as their marquee player for the second season of the Indian Super League (ISL) according to reports from the 'Times of india'.
Anelka (35), had to sit out of three of last year's initial ISL games thanks to his ban due to the 'quenelle gesture', while playing for West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. Despite netting twice and having two assists his name, Anelka could not guide Mumbai to the semifinals. Mumbai City FC have roped in Anelka back to their folds after having some 'differences' with the player last season.
Arsenal legend Fredrik Ljungberg was the original marquee player for the club last tournament, but injuries limited his time to just four appearances in the tournament. Indranil Blah, CEO, Mumbai City FC confirmed that an announcement will be made in the next two weeks.
Also Read: Second edition of Indian Super League to kick off on October 3
Argentina's Esteban Cambiasso was originally the club's choice for the marquee player but the player will not feature in their plans after he helped Premier League side Leicester City escape relegation in the EPL, and is keen to continue with the 'Foxes'. Also Mumbai were keen to sign former Uruguay star Diego Forlan, but had to chuck that plan due to a steep asking price of Rs 7.8 crore from the player.
Anelka is a world class star who has played for some of the best clubs in Europe, which include the likes of PSG, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Juventus. He has not played any competitive match since the ISL concluded in December last year.
Also, Anelka had trained with NA Hussein Dey, an Algerian club early this year but could not proceed further as Algerian rules stated that foreign players had to be below 27 and were to be playing for their respective country.
