ISL: Reports indicate Alessandro Nesta set to join Chennaiyin FC
Reports indicate that Chennaiyin FC are on the verge of signing Italian legend Alessandro Nesta, as a replacement for their injured Colombian striker John Stiven Mendoza. Mendoza, who has been integral to Chennaiyin’s dominating performances in the league, has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring injury, which happened in their match against FC Pune City.
The Italian, who won two Champions League titles with AC Milan and the World Cup in 2006 with Italy, could form a potentially interesting partnership with former Inter Milan stalwart Marco Materazzi, who is the player-manager at Chennaiyin FC. Nesta last played in the MLS, where he helped Montreal Impact make the play-offs for the first time in their history, following which he announced his retirement.
He is known to be one of the best defenders of all time, and his ability with the ball at his feet was second to none, and was named in FIFA’s list of 125 greatest footballers in 2004, as part of their 100 year celebrations.
If he joins the Chennai franchise, he will one of many prominent Italians to be playing in the league, which includes the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, the brand ambassador of the ISL and Materazzi.