Delhi Dynamos midfielder Florent Malouda says he is in the ISL for the long haul

Delhi Dynamos players (L-R) John Arne Riise, Florent Malouda and Robin Singh

The Delhi Dynamos came up short in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) Season one and have since made radical changes at the club including a new logo and a kit heading into Season Two. The appointment of Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos as the club’s marquee player and manager grabbed all the headlines, as Carlos announced his arrival by signing another top player in Florent Malouda.

Florent Malouda who has won some of the big prizes in European football which includes the UEFA Champions League and the Barclays Premier League with Chelsea and the French Ligue 1 title with Lyon to name a few. Malouda was a regular for the French National team as well, making 80 appearances for his country and scoring nine times.

I am not here for the short-term: Malouda

Speaking to the media, at the ISL Media Day in Mumbai on Saturday, Malouda opened up on his thought process behind a move to India to play in the ISL and revealed that it was a project that interested him.

“The ISL is a new challenge in my career. I had a few friends who played in the ISL last year and had good things to say about it. So when I had got the offer it appealed to me and caught my interest,” the former Chelsea midfielder revealed.

Aged 35, Malouda is not getting any younger, but the midfielder continues to have a great appetite for success. Having been a winner all throughout his career, it is out of Malouda’s dictionary to come to a new league and not think about winning it.

“I have great ambitions. I have come here to win the ISL title and to be the champion. It is an ambition which my club shares and hence I am looking forward to get going. It’s quite exciting,” added Malouda.

Malouda declared that he is looking at playing in the ISL beyond this season and wants to help promote the league and his club on the world stage. “I am not here for the short term. I will be back next season too. I want to help promote football in this country and then take the league and Delhi Dynamos on the world stage,” proclaimed the Frenchman.

Selection headaches are a strength, not a problem: Malouda

The tricky left-footed midfielder added up to the Dynamos’ riches of players playing on the left side. With player-manager Carlos poised to play at left back and John Arne Riise also in the ranks, Malouda believes it’s a good problem to have.

“I feel it’s our strength and not a problem. We can all play in different positions and that adds to the variety in our team”.

With a good mix of Indian and foreign players up their sleeve united under the guidance of the charismatic Roberto Carlos, Florent Malouda and co. will be looking to make the semi-finals this time around. Once that’s achieved, the likes of Florent Malouda will make the real difference in taking Delhi Dynamos closer to the ISL crown.