Former Chelsea duo Gallas and Mutu in the Indian Super League shortlist

Former Chelsea teammates William Gallas and Adrian Mutu are to set feature in the Indian Super League, according to a TOI report.

The ISL franchises have a deadline till Thursday to sign the marquee player on their own and according to sources, two franchises have got the approval from IMG-Reliance to sign Gallas and Mutu as their marquee foreigner for the inaugural season.

“They have been cleared as marquee signings and now it’s up to the franchisees to do the rest,” one official was quoted saying.

Gallas featured for France in two World Cups and won the English Premier title twice with Chelsea besides also featuring for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. He last played for Australia’s A-League outfit Perth Glory.

Romanian great Adrian Mutu spent just one season at Chelsea but was a big star in Italy’s Serie A, having had spells with Inter Milan, Juventus and Fiorentina. He started last season with French club Ajaccio but ended the campaign at Romanian club Petrolul Ploiesti.

Several other big names have also been linked with the ISL with most of them already retired like Italy legend Alessandro Nesta, former Germany World Cupper Arne Friedrich and ex-Man United striker Andy Cole or recently retired like Craig Bellamy, who could be on his way to the Mumbai franchise.

Former Greek international and Euro 2004 winner Angelos Charisteas and former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen are among the stars offered by several agents to the eight city franchises.

“Some of these players are available for even less than the prescribed $7,50,000 that a franchise must spend on a marquee player,” another official stated.