ISL better than I-League, says Bagan and Mumbai City forward Norde

The 26-year-old took the I-League by storm after signing for Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan last year. Norde scored nine goals in 19 games as the Mariners went on to lift the title for the first time after the National Football League was transformed into the I-League. Norde went on to become the fan favorite, and also won the 'Best Foreign Player of the Year' award.

The Haitian forward was subsequently picked up by Mumbai City, as the Blue Devils invested a lot of money to reshape the squad which struggled in the inaugural season of the ISL.

“The ISL is more competitive because of more quality players. The foreign players are some of the best in the world. The I-League is good but the ISL is better,” Norde told Goal.com. ISLversus I-League is one of the most hotly debated topics in Indian sports.

Seven matches into the season and Mumbai are already looking better placed to qualify for the knock-out stages than they were last year, and Norde has had a big say in it. The former Boca Juniors forward has been a constant thorn in the sight of ISL defenders, although he has failed to replicate his goal-scoring form from the I-League.

"ISL is a bit tough as I said. In Mohun Bagan, I played freely. Here too I play freely, but we have some quality players in the opposition whom you have to respect. At Bagan, I played everywhere. Goals will come in the remaining seven matches,” he said.

"Both Nico and Oscar (Bruzon) are good. Nico has vast experience as a player. Oscar is a very good person and a coach. I am very happy having them as my coaches and I hope they are satisfied with me as well. I know I can give more effort. So, I am trying to give my best and more of me in the remaining seven matches," Norde said.

Norde has also dismissed rumours about his future with Mohun Bagan. “For now I have contact only with Mohun Bagan. I have no contact with other teams. After the Indian Super League (ISL), I will go straight to Mohun Bagan for sure,” he said,