Indian Super League: Florent Malouda Wants To Experience The Tournament Firsthand

Six months ago you were playing the France Championship for Metz, now your 6500 km away playing in India for the Delhi Dynamos. How did that come about? (WATCH: Want to Experience ISL Firsthand: Malouda)

First, a nice contract and the opportunity to share lunch with my friend Prashant who invited me. Even last year the opportunity to play in the Indian Super League came about but I delayed it from one year and I didn't want to miss the opportunity this time.

What was the key factor that convinced you to come to India for the ISL?

As I said, last year I had the opportunity and I was looking at it with closed eyes for the first season. I had great feedback from the players, a few friends who played here in the first ISL season. I wanted to experience this competition. From outside the atmosphere in the stadiums really pleased me and I wanted to come and experience it myself.

Not the best start to the ISL for Delhi Dynamos but what's been the experience so far

I think you always learn even when you lose and probably more when you lose and there is a lot of positive to take from this first game even though we started with a defeat. First the crowd was very hostile. So, it was good to see how we handled that pressure. We were disappointed with the result but we want to use that experience specially in the home game to turn the things around and to get that first win which will bring us a lot of confidence. I think we played well even though we lost but we must show our ambition specially with a good start on Thursday.

You've played just one game so far how would you rate the quality of Indian Football so far

I mean judging by the conditions, it is very difficult, hot and humid. I am really impressed by the pace of the game because it is very difficult to repeat the runs and there is a lot of goals for the fans and for TV and it is best to have games with a lot of goals and hopefully we can get a few for us.

Given you experience of having played at the highest level in Europe, your expected to be a key player for DD too much pressure on you

No, it's never too much. Players like me, like John Arne Riise and even coach Roberto Carlos, when he came out after half time when there was pressure. Players like us we never hide. We need pressure to perform. So, we know we'll have pressure because we never hide our ambitions. Our president is very ambitious. We definitely want to win the league. So, we are not happy with our position right now in the table. But you have to act to make things right and that's why when tomorrow when we are going to step on the pitch, we will take our responsibilities and make sure that we put the pressure on Chennai tomorrow evening.

Talking about pressure, your old boss in your old club, little bit under pressure. Do you think they can still challenge for the title, Chelsea?

I think it is going to be difficult but I have no doubt about Chelsea's qualities and it happens sometimes. But you know I think it was almost the same squad who was Champion last year and you don't lose your qualities. I trust the players, I trust the club and at the end I think many would be surprised. I can feel that people are a bit happy with this situation and because the manager is under pressure and people feel like Chelsea is shaking a little bit. But I know that the foundation is very strong in this club and as I said I will always support the blues and it's going to be for life.

Jose Mourinho is still the special one?

Of course. Specially in this situation. You know managers react differently but I know Jose Mourinho has a lot of character and that is what you need when the time is difficult. He never hides himself. So, I think he is the right man for this situation and he will handle things right under pressure.