Sunil Chhetri's exit, a big loss for Mumbai City: Coach

Indian Super League team Mumbai City FC coach Alexandre Guimaraes yesterday rued the exit of India captain Sunil Chhetri from the team, but expressed satisfaction in the new replacements ahead of the fourth edition of the city-based franchise football league which kicks off next week.

Chhetri was on loan with the Mumbai-based team from Bengaluru FC for the second and third season. The Bangalore club, who will be making their debut in the fourth edition of ISL, chose to retain the forward.

Asked if Chhetri's exit is a big loss to the team, Guimares said: "Of course, you are talking about the reference of Indian football.

Chhetri is one of the top players in the country. So, it's definitely a big loss. But the moment we came to know that he wasn't going to be part of the team, we had to move on."

Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes. Pic/ Satej Shinde

But the Costa Rican revealed satisfaction in their new signings.

"We are happy to have forward Balwant Singh, who was one of our first picks during the draft. The new players have already adapted to our style of play."