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According to Goal, Mumbai City FC striker, Sunil Chhetri is excited to make his debut in the Indian Super League and cannot wait to play alongside Mumbai’s marquee player Nicolas Anelka. The Indian National Team Captain was the most expensive player in the ISL auction signing up with Mumbai City FC for a massive Rs. 1.20 crores.
“He’s a really good player and man. Just being there in training with him will improve all of us as players. Not just me the entire squad too. Learning that he’s a coach cum player now makes you want to hear a lot from him,” said the 31-year-old Bengaluru FC player.
Chhetri has not had a great season with his I-League side Bengaluru FC, surrendering the league title to Kolkata Giants Mohun Bagan. On a personal level, he struggled for goals as well scoring just two goals in twenty games in the I-League season but for the Blue Tigers he has scored four goals in his last four matches.
Chhetri has always been one of the stars in every team he has played for in India and now playing alongside world superstars he will definitely shine like he always has. But the Secunderabad-born striker feels it is not just one or two players who would shape the season but the entire team. He said, “Also, it's not just about two players from now, it’s about the entire team. That’s our aim.”
It’s nice to have an owner like him: Chhetri
Chhetri also singled out Mumbai City FC owner, Ranbir Kapoor, stating that the actor, who is an avid Barcelona fan, is highly involved in the day to day running of the club. Talking about the actor, Chhetri said, “I had a chat with Ranbir (Kapoor). I was happy he wanted me to play for Mumbai City FC and I was happy to play for the team in the ISL.”
“He’s a great guy who I know to be a very different man off-screen. I’ve also seen and known that he trains with the squad. It’s nice to have an owner like him,” added the Bengaluru FC captain.
Having already won nine major honours with club and country, the 31-year-old was asked about what keeps him going season after season, to which he replied, “I keep reminding myself on why I chose to play football. The fans going crazy, the wins, loses, the effort are the reasons that keep pushing me.”
“If I forget why I started playing football, then it’s probably over for me as a player. It’s all about the kids and I want to tell the kids through this medium to enjoy the game.”
When asked if he had any message for the Mumbai City fans, he replied, “My job is to go there and give my best. It’s all about channeling my strength on and off the field. I aim to prosper in every way possible. I just want to promise the fans that I will give all I can for Mumbai City FC.”
