'Anelka gives massive boost to ISL'

Mumbai City FC manager Peter Reid tells Laxmi Negi that Frenchman Nicholas Anelka is still good enough to play in the English Premier League.

These are exciting times for Indian football. Fans are thronging various stadia all over the country to watch the newly-launched Hero Indian Super League.

While some of the game's aficionados are critical of the tournament, in that it may not actually help the country's budding footballers, many feel it is a shot in the arm for Indian football has been looking for.

The ISL already boasts of stars like Luis Garcia, Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Robert Pires, Fredrik Ljungberg and Nicholas Anelka. Most of them are over the hill, but Mumbai City FC manager Peter Reid has special words for his star signing, Frenchman Anelka.

At the age of 35, Anekla is one of the most well-traveled footballers, having spent most of his playing career with top clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Now the France international is making an impact in the ISL, having already scored two match-winning goals in as many matches for Mumbai City FC.

Former Sunderland boss Reid believes that the talented footballer can still play in the English Premier League.

“I believe that Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Anelka are in the same bus. If they (Eto’o and Drogba) can, at their age, play in the big leagues, then even Anelka deserves that,” says the Englishman.

He insists, “Anelka is a top player; he is one of the best players that we have in the team.”

Talking about the value Anelka bring to the table, Reid adds: “It is a massive boost for the ISL having a player of his quality. Our goalkeeper faces him in training and he is clueless which way the ball could go. Anelka has tremendous ability to hit at the back of the net.”

As the 10-week gala tournament progresses, Reid believes his star striker can only get better. Hopefully, he does. Mumbai City FC is counting on him!