Call from Des Buckingham played big role in my signing for Mumbai City: Akash Mishra

Mumbai City FC paid a huge transfer fee to acquire the services of Akash Mishra.

Akash Mishra’s transfer to Mumbai City FC from Hyderabad FC has been one of the highlights of the Indian Football summer. The Islanders paid a huge transfer fee in acquiring the services of one of the most exciting and reliable full-backs in the country. Like every other ISL team, Mumbai City FC have started their pre-season preparations and are currently based in Thailand before the season officially starts with the Durand Cup from Thursday.

The youngster spoke with the Mumbai City FC media team on his move to the west coast side and various other topics. Excerpts on the same are below.

Settling in at the new club

The former Hyderabad FC man moved to Mumbai this year and he reckons that he has settled well with his new club. “It’s been a week here but I feel like home already. I feel like I’ve been here since a very long time. I had no issues or any sort of problem settling in this club,” Mishra revealed.

Conversation with Buckingham before joining

Many ISL clubs including Mumbai City FC were in the fray to sign the Uttar Pradesh born full-back but a phone call with Des Buckingham played a huge role in him signing for the ISL Shield winners. 

“I had a call with him and that call played a very big role. When I spoke to coach Des, he explained to me the way of football he sees and the way he wants to play. He explained to me the way he sees me in his plans and I think all those things really helped me and motivated me to join this club. I’m happy to have made this decision and I’m happy to be here at Mumbai City FC,” the youngster explained.

Buckingham’s influence in shaping careers

Des Buckingham signed for the Mumbai-based CFG group club in 2021, replacing ISL Shield winner Sergio Lobera and in his second season in charge with the club he helped the team seal their second-ever ISL Shield. The 39-year-old has a very good history in shaping young players’ careers. The recent emergence of Lallianzuala Chhangte has been a prime example of Buckingham’s influence on young players.

The AIFF emerging player of the year is excited to learn from the Englishman. He quipped, “Not just me but every player has seen what Mumbai City FC have done, what Des has done in the past years. The way he works with young players, he has been outstanding.

"We have seen many young players coming out of Mumbai City FC and becoming a star of Indian football. So, all those things when we see from outside really excite us to be here and come to train under him, learn from him, and to improve all those things,” he added. 

On title defence and playing in AFC Champions League

Akash Mishra is determined to help the Mumbai Team in their title defence this season and also shared his thoughts on playing the AFC Champions League, “Title defence is important, so I would like to win the ISL Shield. We have seen Mumbai City FC do so well in the AFC Champions League so we want to continue doing that and improve as much as we can at Asia’s top level. We have to perform well there and test ourselves and do much better than last season.”

Message for Mumbai City FC faithfuls

Before signing off, the youngster had a message for the West Coast Blues where he urged the supporters to come out in large numbers.

"I’ve seen the crowd when I came for an away game at Mumbai and they are really loud and passionate about football. I just want them to come to the stadium and support us because we’ll give you a brand of football that you will enjoy and we’ll not disappoint you,” he signed off.