ISL: Mumbai City FC’s strongest XI
Sportskeeda continues this new series by looking at the strongest eleven on paper of Mumbai City FC, whose co-owner is Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor.
Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Subrata Pal – The India international could one of the few local keepers to start in the ISL and being among the costliest domestic players, he has high expectations to live up to. Subrata will be looking to make Mumbai City successful and at the same time impress international scouts as he wishes to play abroad again after the first season of the ISL.
RB: Deepak Mondal – The veteran defender is capable of playing anywhere in the back four but is likely to be used at right back, a position where he has been playing for the last five years. Deepak looked sharp both while defending and going forward for East Bengal in the CFL and he would be aiming to be at his best in the ISL also.
CB: Manuel Friedrich – The German centre-back is the only ISL player to have played in last season’s UEFA Champions League and thus is expected to be the leader of Mumbai’s defence. There will be pressure on Friedrich to live up to his enormous reputation but that should only bring out the best from a player who has been at some of the top Bundesliga clubs.
CB: Pavel Cmovs – The 24-year-old Czech Republic central defender is a product of the Slavia Prague youth system but has mostly plied his trade in the Netherlands. Last season he was playing for Bulgarian giants Levski Soifa and thus it was no surprise to see him among the top four picks of Mumbai at the international draft.
LB: Syed Rahim Nabi – India’s Mr Versatile hasn’t been at his best ever since his horror injury in that infamous derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan on December 10 2012. However Nabi still remains a match winner and thus is among the most expensive Indian players. He would be determined to regain his best form at Mumbai City FC.
RM: Freddie Ljungberg – The Arsenal legend is coming out of retirement to be part of the ISL so it remains to be seen how sharp he is physically but his presence and quality will be a major asset for Mumbai. Freddie can be used in either flank but Arsenal fans would possibly want to see him on the right side, a position from where he scored most goals for the Gunners.
CM: Asif Kottayil – One area of weakness for Mumbai City FC is that they don’t have a natural ball-winning midfielder. Asif is the best possible option to play that role so there will be huge responsibility on his shoulders. The Kerala player was troubled by injuries last season but has the potential to do a job for the team in midfield.
CM: Jan Stohanzl - The 29-year-old playmaker from Czech Republic has spent his entire professional career playing in the top tier of his homeland. Stohanzl was the second pick of Mumbai at the international draft and is likely to be the key creative force from the middle of the park, with the ability to come up with goals too.
LM: Lalrindika Ralte – In recent seasons Lalrindika has mainly been playing in a central role or on the left side of a diamond in midfield. But at Mumbai City FC, the Mizoram lad could be used in a wide role and he is highly capable of scoring and creating goals from that position and become one of the best Indian performers in the ISL.
FW: Diego Nadaya – The Argentine is among the most high-profile foreigners of the ISL but has been a prolific goal scorer wherever he has played and thus was Mumbai’s first pick at the international draft. Nadaya will be getting plenty of quality service from his midfield and thus would be expected to give a healthy return of goals.
FW: Nicolas Anelka – The controversial Frenchman was signed by Mumbai despite the presence of their marquee foreigner Ljungberg as they needed a high-profile proven goalscorer. It remains to be seen whether Anelka has to serve the ban he received while at West Brom but irrespective of that, we can expect the 35-year-old to make an impact whenever he is in action.
