Dynamos gamble on Riise after Malouda
Delhi Dynamos FC on Tuesday announced the signing of former Liverpool great John Arne Riise. While the left back said he was “excited to have joined the Dynamos” and is “looking forward to a new challenge and experience a new culture” it will be interesting to see how much he — 35 in September 10 days before the league starts — has left in the tank.
Last season, it was Alessandro del Piero who set tongues wagging for fans in Delhi. The former Italy and Juventus great though was nearing his 40th birthday when he signed and managed just one goal in the Indian Super League (ISL), eventually losing his place in the starting 11. As a big-ticket signing, Riise too will be watched for cost-benefit analysis. Ditto the Dynamos’ other famous names such as marquee player-coach Roberto Carlos and Florent Malouda. Carlos is 42 and Malouda 35.
Riise’s arrival also shows the league, in its second edition, has some way to go to attract high profile names before they reach the twilight of their career. Atletico de Kolkata’s inability to sign Didier Drogba (37) being a case in point.
Of the eight marquees last year, only two, Elano Blumer of Chennaiyin FC and Luis Garcia of champions Atletico de Kolkata, can be said to have lived up to potential. But both had injury problems through the season. A dodgy hamstring meant Garcia missed a string of games and though Elano ended top scorer with eight goals, he too was dogged by injury. Retained this term, Elano is 33 and Garcia 36. The others such as David Trezeguet (then 37), Nicolas Anelka (36), Robert Pires (41), Freddie Ljungberg (then 37) or late joinee Alessandro Nesta (then 38) didn’t really pull their weight. Riise then, will be another gamble. “He has been one of my heroes growing up as a left back. I’m honoured to have him as a coach, and can’t wait to give my all,” Riise said of his new coach.