AGENCIES
NEW DELHI
Florent Malouda is back with Delhi Dynamos for the Indian Super League and the marquee player of the 'pride' feels he has unfinished business in India.
“I already had an agreement with the club for two seasons. I had agreed when I first signed that I would play a minimum of two seasons. So for me, it was planned and this season for me is a way to compensate the frustration from the previous season where we lost in the semi-final,” he was quoted as saying by Goal.
The ISL is in its third year currently and Malouda felt that the league is getting more competitive as each season progresses. “The ISL is getting better as each season progresses. The players are getting more experience and the level of the competition is rising. You saw that the first few games were really tight and no team is giving much away. When I look at the way all teams have built their squads, I feel it is more competitive and it will only improve the ISL,” the 36-year-old said.
Former Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos was Delhi Dynamos’ designated marquee player last season while the honour has been given to Malouda this time around under Zambrotta. But the Frenchman insists that he was Delhi’s marquee player all along and there has been no change to his role while also implying that responsibility that comes with the role is something he relishes.
He elaborated, “I was marquee player last season also. There were three marquee players with Riise, Roberto Carlos and me. But this season it’s just me. It is not an added responsibility. If you look at my career, I’ve taken responsibility in situations ever since I was 14 or 15. So, to me it is something normal. Also, I’m more of a leader than a follower. So, taking responsibility is something natural to me.”
Delhi Dynamos went to England and Sweden for their pre-season preparations and even played West Bromwich Albion in a friendly - a game in which Malouda also played. As Malouda shared his thoughts on the match and the impact it had on young Indian players, he also gave an insight on how Delhi have prepared differently this year.
“I think we made an impact in India by becoming the first ISL team from here to play a Premier League team. To have built a good relationship with West Brom is a good idea and we had a very good pre-season by using their facilities. Moreover, the Indian players in our squad could play in a Premier League stadium. This sort of exposure should be given to them again and again. That’s the way you bring attention to the league. It is a positive thing. Last year, we prepared in Sweden and Denmark. This year in England and Sweden.
"The results I felt were better and we have become more consistent with the new coach. We also had the core of the team from last season already here. It helped us bond and understand each other. That showed in the first game against Chennaiyin FC.”
