5 players we never thought we would see in the ISL

#3 Nicolas Anelka

Anelka, like Roberto Carlos, was player-manager

The vast majority of football fans in India are Premier League fans. Simply put, the English league has the widest global appeal amongst all domestic competitions. There is simply no other country that comes even close to the amount of recognition that England manages to garner. The mantra for footballers is simple: if you make it in England, you have made it worldwide.

After David Beckham and Didier Drogba almost single-handedly revolutionised the fame of the MLS and the Chinese Super League respectively, the acquisition of an internationally recognisable superstar became inherent to the success of any domestic league.

Nicolas Anelka has had a long playing career, playing for clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. He also had two spells at Paris Saint-Germain and played for Real Madrid, Juventus, Fenerbahce and Shanghai Shenhua.

For a player of such widespread global appeal to play (and manage) for Mumbai City FC meant that owner Ranbir Kapoor’s comments upon Anelka’s signing are unsurprising: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Nicolas Anelka and thrilled that a player with a stunning pedigree such as his is part of our team. His abilities and experience are known the world over and I am certain his presence will give us the firepower required upfront. We welcome him to the Mumbai City FC squad.”

Anelka’s time in the ISL was full of controversy due to his outspoken nature, but he provided a credibility to the Indian Super League and brought some international acclaim to the fledgling competition.