Nicolas Anelka questions Mumbai City FC signings, criticises Sunil Chhetri

Mumbai City FC suffered yet another defeat in what is turning out to be a forgettable Indian Super League (ISL) season for them as they were outplayed by NorthEast United FC on Friday, and the franchise's marquee player-coach Nicolas Anelka was unimpressed by the quality of players roped in by Mumbai City FC in the summer.

After the defeat, an angry Anelka mentioned that he wasn't given a free hand to recruit players of his choice by the club and that is one of the reason that the team is suffering this season.

Mumbai are sixth on the points table and four points behind the team on the fourth spot.

"We have to see who is injured or not. I try to pick the best players. I don't have a lot of player. I don't have a lot of quality. If you want to question about the players, ask the people who signed the players, not me.

I have tried my best with these players," Anelka told reporters in a post match conference.

"If I had a choice and chance to choose the players, I would have chosen different players. I have to use the players they have given me. I try my best, that is it," Anelka added.

Anelka was also not impressed by the display of Sunil Chhetri in Friday's match as the striker missed a couple of chances.

Chhetri had the best chance of the game for the visitors after being set up by Anelka but the former's shot missed the target by a couple of inches.

Asked if Chhetri looked unhappy in his role as a left winger, Anelka explained why he cannot be played as a striker or in a number 10 position.

"When I came to India from England, I did not know him. They said he was a left winger and a striker. I put him on the left. He was not a striker for me today. I believe he has played as a left winger before and today was not the first time. If he is not happy, he is not happy. I have nothing to say.

"I decide who plays where. There is a better player to play in the middle than him. He is not a number 10 as well for me. Did you see him give the ball to anyone from the beginning? No. So he has to play left winger, If he is not happy, then that is life," the player cum coach added.