Former Chelsea and France midfielder, Florent Malouda, has had a glorious career which has seen him playing in countries like England, Egypt, Turkey and France. But the 36-year old has now decided to make a mark in India as he will be one of the key players for Delhi Dynamos in the upcoming season of the Indian Super League. Malouda has been retained as the marquee player by the Delhi franchise and will look to take his team to the finals, eclipsing last year’s run of reaching the semi-finals.
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The Delhi Dynamos’ skipper spoke to Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview about various experiences of his 16-year long career as a professional football player. Here are the excerpts:
You spent six seasons at Chelsea and were managed by different managers. But who was the best manager who improved you as a player?
I would say that all the managers improved my game. I got the biggest opportunity at Chelsea as I got in contact with top players and managers. Each one of them made me a top player. We had a total of six or seven managers during my time there.
I also really appreciate Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti as they were really close to me. But Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo were very special as we won the Champions League for Chelsea. I will never be thankful enough to those two for giving me the opportunity to lift that trophy. It is difficult to compare as they all have their own style and we have been successful with all of them.
What is special about Carlo Ancelotti?
He is someone who is very experienced and talented. He was a player himself and won a lot of trophies in his playing days. Then as a coach, he is very confident and also gives his players that confidence. He always trusts his players during the moments of pressure, being successful at all the teams he has managed. There is no player who has ever felt betrayed by him.
For me, it was the same as he is very relaxed. We won the double under him with the Premier League and the FA Cup. I always wish that he had stayed longer at Chelsea when I was there.
How is it like to have played alongside great players like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and Zinedine Zidane?
They are all great champions of the game. They are examples on and off the pitch for any player. When you get to train together with them and to get to learn from those players, you improve your game as well. It means that if you’re playing in the same team so you are also very close to their level of performance. At the same time you gain confidence that you’re reaching their level.
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How tough was it for you when your team lost the 2006 FIFA World Cup final to Italy?
It was a big shock for us because we lost due to some circumstances in the final. At the same time, you know that you must accept the fact that there will always be a winner and a loser. We were happy with our display as we played well with ten men. Penalty shootouts are very difficult and it is a big, big disappointment to lose in the shootout as I have lost the World Cup and the Champions League.
You never know when you will be back at this stage of the competition in your career so its disappointing. But at the same time, you are also proud of what you have achieved. In football, you need to bounce back after every defeat and you need to be strong. Even though we lost, I’m still proud that I played in that final.
In a team like Delhi Dynamos, lot of changes have taken place in the three seasons. Do you think these changes will work as an advantage or will it be a disadvantage?
We will only get to know the answer once we start playing in the league. Generally, it is always better to have a base in the squad but the changes might prove to be better for the new coach to build his own team. It is very difficult to have continuity in your team in the ISL. Therefore, the pre-season is very important to build a structure. Now, only the results can prove whether it was an advantage or a disadvantage.
There were reports in the media which suggested that you were wanted by Santos and other Brazilian clubs before you came to India last season. What made you choose the Indian Super League?
I have always been in the middle of rumours but I never inform anyone about what my decisions in the future will be. I have previously said that I want to play in Brazil, maybe that is why these rumours were made. I make my decisions spontaneously and do not keep them made for the future. I came here because I had met the President of the Delhi Dynamos, Prashant Agarwal, in London where I gave him my word about joining his team.
The agreement was signed two months later when I came here in India. I did have offers from other clubs but I didn’t pay any attention to them as I wanted to play in India. But yes, I am open to different choices and I would love to play in Brazil once in my life - maybe in January. But I don’t make plans like this. My focus is on Delhi at the moment. I will give my best at ISL and then look at other options.
This is going to be your second season in India. What have you made of the Indian talent that you have seen? Do you think the country can improve on their rankings?
I can not speak about the grassroots’ level in India as I only follow them on social media. However, the staff, coaching, training routines, these are the most important factors which play a huge role in making a team. That’s how the progress can happen. A big country like India should have the ambition and improve their ranking. But I also understand that football is not the most followed sport in the country.
But India is starting from a point and I believe that when this country finally decides that they want to improve, I’m sure they will improve. ISL is one thing, but the structure of football in the country is the most important thing. If you want to improve, the key is to give an opportunity to the mass to play football at a good platform. India has the players, but they need the right platform.
Who is the better striker according to you between Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba?
I don’t know. I won’t pick one because one has stopped playing and the other is still playing. I have respect for both of them – Didier is my friend and I have played with Thierry for the national team. I’m really close to both of them and they both inspire me. But I have played more with Drogba at Chelsea.
Their profiles are different like it is with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, so It is difficult to choose. But one thing that I’m sure about is that if I pick my World XI, I will have them both where Drogba will be the striker and Henry will play just behind him.
What do you make of the current Chelsea team and their performances under Antonio Conte?
It was difficult to see Chelsea struggling last season and I’m sad again that we have recently lost to Liverpool and Arsenal. But as a former player, it is difficult for me to comment. I want to see them play well this season under the new manager and not produce a repeat of last season.
During your six seasons at Chelsea, you played more than 220 games for the club. Was it the best time of your career as a player?
Yes! I think I was at the peak of my club and national team career because I won titles. At Chelsea, we won the best league in the world. I was also a French international who was playing all types of competitions like the World Cup, Euros, and it was always very intense. I had so much pleasure as I played in some of the best stadiums in the world at a competitive level. So yes, it was the peak of my career. My last game was the Champions League final and I have only good memories of my time as a blue.
Will you give the Ballon d’Or to Antoine Griezmann for his performances last season?
Haha, I will give him but I don’t vote for it (laughs). I hope he is not depending on my vote. But on a serious note, it was pleasing to see a fellow French player performing the way he did. He gave so much pleasure to France at the Euro 2016. He is always playing well and scoring goals which is nice to see.
It is good that a French young player is playing so well and is amongst the top three players in the world. Last season, it was Paul Pogba and this season it is Griezmann. So for us, french people, it’s a great feeling as he is also the future of the national team.
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Do you think Olivier Giroud is the right choice for France upfront?
I think he didn’t disappoint France at the Euros. But I think there was a debate in the media which placed Benzema and Giroud as opponents. But I feel when you are playing for the national team, its good to have both players in the team. We should not put any player against another fellow player. I will play with both.
Giroud is the target man and both can play together as well. Both are good assets for their team. I would love to have Giroud in Delhi Dynamos (laughs). Any team would love to have a player like him who helps his teammates.
What can the Delhi Dynamos’ fans expect from Florent Malouda in this season of ISL?
I will be leading the team as I am the club captain. I will try to bring the team to a level of performance where we can be one of the top teams of the ISL. Like, in the first season, we did not qualify for the playoffs, but last season we did. We had failed to reach the finals, therefore. our aim will be to reach the finals and if we reach there, we will try to win the trophy. But we are looking at taking one step at a time.
What you can expect from me is that I will keep reminding every player in my squad that we are here to do better than last season.
