Mumbai City FC’s marquee player-cum-coach Nicolas Anelka showered praise on Brandon Fernandes on Thursday, saying that the talented midfielder had all the ingredients to be an India prospect. At their Media Day at the Cooperage Football Stadium in Mumbai ahead of the second season of the Hero Indian Super League [ISL], the former France striker said he was looking forward to playing alongside the 21-year-old.

“Brandon Fernandes is a very good player. He is big quality. He is fast and clever. He has got a good first touch and he can score goals and he is young. He is a big talent for Mumbai City FC and I’m sure he will be a big talent for India very soon. I will be happy to go out there with him. I know how to use him,” Anelka spoke of Fernandes.

The former Arsenal hitman also recognised the talent of Albino Gomes, one of the three goalkeeping options at the club. “He [Albino Gomes] works hard. He is getting better and better, by the day. He is quality as well,” Anelka said.

Anelka featured in seven matches for MCFC at the inaugural ISL last season but this time he has also been entrusted with the coaching job. He explained as to what led to the additional responsibility. “Because I was here the last season and I knew what it was like working here; how to speak to the players, understand their mentality,” Anelka said.

However, the 36-year-old admitted taking care of both roles won’t be a cakewalk. “To be fair, it’s not easy. I’m training my best as a player first. If I will have to be on the bench, I will do my best as coach. Off the pitch, I train my best, so we will see what happens. We make choices; sometimes we play; sometimes we don’t,” he said.

Anelka was also thrilled to have so many attacking options at his disposal, in the form of Sunil Chhetri, Sony Norde, Andre Moritz etc. “It’s good to have a lot of strikers. A lot of players up front who can score goals. For me, it makes it easier. [Also] As a manager, we will be able to rotate a lot. It’s good for me to have many possibilities. A lot of tactics possible for Mumbai City FC this season and I’m quite happy with the situation,” Anelka said.

Mumbai City FC assistant coach Oscar Bruzon shed light on his working relationship with Anelka. “We complement each other very well. Nico [Anelka] means motivation, excellence, ambition and inspiration. I’m trying to execute all his ideas on the pitch. Not just between Nico and me, there is plenty of co-ordination between the members of the training staff. All of us are on the same page,” the Spaniard said.

Chhetri, who will miss the first couple of ISL games on account of being involved with the Indian national team preparing for its FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Turkmenistan, also chipped in with his favourable opinion of Anelka. “It’s been great training under him and alongside him. He has got a great personality; he is very fit. He gels very well with the team. Although he is such a huge player, you will find he has no airs,” the India striker said.