ISL - INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE

Gouramangi Singh: 'Pune City want to assemble the best team'

The Indian defender opined that he'd miss partner in defense Bernard Mendy, who opted to renew with Chennaiyin, believes Indian players improving in the ISL...

Gouramangi Singh, the former Chennaiyin FC centre-back who has now changed his Indian Super League (ISL) allegiances to FC Pune City, believes he is in prime form to perform at his best for the Deccan sdie, who he praises for their ambition in winning the league. He also claimed he will miss his friend Bernanrd Mendy from the Blues of Chennaiyin, whilst also opining he did 'alright' for the club.

"When I first spoke with the management, the first thing that I noticed is that they’re very ambitious and quite clear with their thought process. Since they lost out on the top four last year, they just want to assemble the best team and win as many games as possible,” revealed a thoughtful Singh, on the decision to join the Orange and Purple brigade, to the ISL's web portal. 

Asked if he'd been introduced to manager David Platt yet, the 80-time capped Indian intenrational explained, "I haven’t spoken with him, but I’ve heard a lot about him. He’s a great man. I’m trying to get to know him better."

Summing up his experiences with Chennaiyin FC at last year's competition, where they were dumped out in the semi-finals to the Kerala Blasters on aggregate, Singh exclaimed, "I think I did alright with Chennaiyin. But at the end of each season, you feel you can do better."

He further addded, "I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with FC Pune City."

Quizzed on what aspect of the game Pune needs to improve, the 30-year-old was clear on his reply, stating, "I can’t comment on what they need to improve on or not. For me, as a player, my duty is to train hard and follow my coach’s instructions."

He did feel, however, that Bernard Mendy was one whose company he'd miss the most, as Mendy chose to renew his contract with the Abhishek Bachchan co-owned side. "As a professional you have to move on. I’ll miss him (Mendy) as a partner and player on the field," he clarified. 

He concluded by expressing his belief that Luis Garcia and Elano Blumer were top performers in the inaugural season of the tournament, though he believed the Indian players weren't too far behind their hallowed foreign marquees.

"Without doubt Luis Garcia is a worthy mention as well (besides Elano), despite having missed a few games. Our boys, too, shone bright. Sandesh [Jhingan] was competitive and consistent as was Jeje [Lalpekhlua]. Arindam [Bhattacharya], too, put in good performances,” he surmised.

FC Pune City sign ex-Chelsea and Fiorentina winger Adrian Mutu as their marquee player

he Rajesh Wadhawan Group and Hrithik Roshan co-owned Indian Super League team FC Pune City clinched their big-ticket name by signing former Chelsea and Fiorentina star Adrian Mutu as its marquee player for the 2015 edition of the league. The 36-year-oldwas a part of the Juventus sidethat won the Serie-A twice in a row in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

The club also confirmed to have signed Ivory Coast legend Didier Zokora. The 34-year old, who has 123 games under his belt for Ivory Coast, is the most capped player in the country’s history.Speaking at the introduction of Romanian striker Adrian Mutu, Mr. Gaurav Modwel, CEO of FC Pune City said, “Adrian is FC Pune City’s marquee player. His talent in front of the opponents’ goal post is remarkable. His wealth of experience will be of great value to team’s vision of being the best.”

The talismanic winger began his career with Romanian club Arges Pitesti and has played for clubs like Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Chelsea and Juventus. His prolific form with Parma brought him a €22.5 million transfer to Chelsea. Mutuis Romania's joint top international goal-scorer after netting 35 times in 77 internationals, the same goal tally as the great Gheorghe Hagi.

Expressing his joy on joining FC Pune City, Adrian Mutu said, “The commitment of the (FC Pune City) management for having me as a part of the club was one of the primary reasons for me to join. This certainly will be one of the biggest challenges of my career so far and I look forward to it. The team has gathered some quality signings from India as well as abroad and excellent backroom staff will make us (FC Pune City) an exciting side.”

The 36-yearold scored more than 160 goals in his career and was the Romanian Footballer of the Year for a record four times. Mutu was also the Coppa Italia top scorer in the year 2009-10. He last played for his Romanian club Petrolul Ploiești and will be a part of the Pune outfit in the second edition of the Indian Super League that begins in October.

Head Coach, David Platt said, “Adrian has experience at the highest level and a professional motivation to succeed. I've admired him from afar for some years and am very excited at the prospect of us working together for the benefit of FC Pune City.”

Zokora, meanwhile, expressed his happiness to sign up with FC Pune City saying, “I am excitedto get this chance to play for FC Pune City in Indian Super League. I have played in many countries before and every country has presented a new challenge. I am sure this journey to India will be exciting and memorable one for me. I hope I can help my team become champions.”

On Zokora’s signing, Mr. Modwel said, “His career with the national side is stuff of legends. Zokora helped Les Éléphants (Ivory Coast) to their first two World Cup finals appearances in 2006 and 2010. He has been a rock-solid defender for all the teams he played for and we hope he be as solid for our club too.”

Co-owner Hrithik Roshan was delighted to have the two stalwarts joining the ranks of his club. “In Mutu and Zokora, we have players with world class experience. I am sure all the players will learn a lot from their presence in the squad, especially about how to manage such long careers in such an intense sport,” said Hrithik.The club in the last few weeks has also signed Costa Rican striker Yendrick Ruiz, left back Nicky Shorey and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from England to strengthen their composition for the upcoming season.

Indian Super League

Saturday 3 October 2015
19:00	Chennaiyin FC	v	Atlético de Kolkata

Sunday 4 October 2015
19:00	Goa	v	Delhi Dynamos

Monday 5 October 2015
19:00	Mumbai City	v	Pune City

Tuesday 6 October 2015
19:00	Kerala Blasters	v	NorthEast United

Wednesday 7 October 2015
19:00	Atlético de Kolkata	v	Goa

Thursday 8 October 2015
19:00	Delhi Dynamos	v	Chennaiyin FC

Friday 9 October 2015
19:00	Pune City	v	NorthEast United

Saturday 10 October 2015
19:00	Kerala Blasters	v	Mumbai City

Sunday 11 October 2015
19:00	Goa	v	Chennaiyin FC