ISL 2015: John Arne Riise, Florent Malouda new hope for Dynamos

Having missed out on a playoff berth by one point in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season changes were evident for Delhi Dynamos this time around.

Fans couldn't have asked for a better signing in the form of Brazil World Cup winner Roberto Carlos who will don the hat of manager-cum-player. If that wasn't enough, new recruits in the likes of former Premier League stars John Arne Riise and Florent Malouda has given hopes for a promising season.

Carlos may have been absent at a media event held in the city on Saturday. Doubts about Riise and Malouda getting accustomed to Indian culture on their maiden trip to the country were soon dismissed with their choice of lunch.

Riise, the 35-year-old Norweigen, did more than just one helping when it came to the biryani and gulab jaamun while the Frenchman polished off the roti.

"The food was something we'd heard about. We were looking forward to the butter chicken. That aside, the football interested me as well. I've played in England, France, Italy and Cyprus. India is a new experience. It's always nice to play in a country where football is growing. Now that we're here and have got a hang of things, we only have eyes for the title," said Riise who has more than 100 international caps with Norway.

It was his Liverpool connect that got the Norweigian thinking about the ISL. "Yes, it's true," said the former Red who played for seven seasons with the Merseyside club. "Luis Garcia, (currently with Atletico de Kolkata) my former mate at Liverpool told me about the league. Garcia last year said positive things about the league," adds Riise who won the 2005 UEFA Champions League with Garcia at Liverpool.

More than Indian players learning from their international team-mates, it was how they learn, that is important for Malouda. "Players here haven't gone to the same academies that we have. We are the one's who are better in technique, skill and tactics, but we will have to bring our speed down to be at par with Indians.

"It takes players like me and Arne to realise the gulf and how we can use our experience of having played in Europe to help these players improve their game," said the former Chelsea winger.

When it came to getting to know his Indian colleagues, Riise said that it was important not to hurt their sentiments. "I hate losing. Be it a match or a training session. When I shout during training, I want the players to feel the same. I mean nothing personal against them but it's important for them not to take things the wrong way. Over the course of time even they realised that I mean just the best for them. No one comes in my way, except for the time I shoot with my left foot," he bursts out laughing.

"These players have to be more open, these guys are so shy. What steals your attention immediately is that Indian footballers are scared of making mistakes."

Riise followed Garcia to ISL while it was Mumbai FC's marquee player-cum-manager Nicolas Anelka who got Malouda. The duo hope that they can do the same and bring in the big names next year.

"Let me send him (Steven Gerrard) a message straight away," said Riise who reached out for his phone when asked about his former Liverpool teammate leaving the room in splits.

"The two of us still keep in touch. I wished him good luck for his move to the United States in the summer. He wasn't surprised, but he didn't see my move to India coming." "Who knows. Thierry (Henry) might come here. He keeps an eye on almost every league. I will surely give a try. He's someone who knows about it as well. Anelka could help me get him too," adds the Frenchman.