Mumbai has a great legacy in football. Does that make you feel good about playing for a Mumbai team in the ISL?
I have heard stories of how the Cooperage used to be packed to capacity back in the days. Then there was the impressive Mahindra United team that caught everyone's imagination. So yes, the city does have a legacy and I'm proud to be finally playing for a Mumbai-based club. I've played all around the country but never Mumbai. That's about to change now and it's exciting to say the least.
You said during the auction that MCFC's last season result does not bother you much. Does that inspire you to ensure that the team plays very high quality football.
I wasn't part of the club last season so I cannot really comment on Mumbai City's performance. What I can do this season is give my all and make sure I'm contributing in the team's bid to make this a successful season. There are new players and I'm sure we will have a new outlook.
What was going through your mind during auction?
It was amusing and exciting at the same time. I've never been part of something like it before and it was interesting to sit behind the scenes and watch all the drama unfold. It's funny how, at one moment you could be playing for a city in one corner of the country and the very next, somewhere else!
In the draft Mumbai did choose few players from Bengaluru. Does that give you an added advantage?
I would like to believe it will give us an advantage but time will tell. At Bengaluru FC, we are a very closely knit team - on the pitch and off it to. There's an unsaid understanding and it plays a vital part. Let's hope we can carry it forward for Mumbai City FC.
Your colleagues were hot picks during the auction and draft. What would you put that down to? The great work ethics followed in Bengaluru FC?
Without doubt. Bengaluru FC has done all of us a world of good, more so the younger lot who have grown by leaps and bounds. I was not surprised at all when Eugene (Lyngdoh), Rino (Anto) and Thoi (Singh) were bought at the numbers that made the newspaper headlines. The teams which bid for them had been following their progress which is why they felt no discomfort is paying what they did for these boys.
Nicolas Anelka as co-striker...How and on what aspect of the game are you going to pick his brains?
He's a legend and I am going to learn as much as I can from him. I am excited and cannot wait to play alongside him. About what aspect of the game will I pick his brains on, I'll have to gauge and decide!
What were the National team players going through after the loss to Guam?
Saying that the team was disappointed after the loss would be an understatement. With due respect to Guam, we are a better team but failed to back our belief that day. We let ourselves and the nation down and that troubled us.
You have a fixture against Nepal on Friday. How do you want to prove that Guam was an aberration?
The beauty of football is that every new game is a chance to fix all your wrongs and that is exactly how we will be looking at the friendly against Nepal. The team is young and does need time but is also a determined bunch and hopefully everyone will be able to see that in the coming days.
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