We’re going there to win: Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda has had a stupendous 2009-10 season. The Chelsea Player of the Year and France winger says he wants to settle for nothing less than the World Cup.

The 2009-10 season was a triumphant one for Chelsea, with the first league and cup double in the club’s history. How did you find it?
People kept saying to us that winning the double is pretty rare in English football. It’s great that we did it. A double is also a first for me. I lost the 2007 League Cup final with Lyon against Bordeaux, while we were reigning French champions. It was disappointing. I hope that it marks the start of a new era for Chelsea.

On a personal level, it has been an impressive season too. Would you say that it’s your best yet?
Yes, I’ve had a very good year. I have taken on more responsibilities within the team, in attack as well as in defence. During our last three matches, I played in midfield, but a little bit deeper. I can tell from the way players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba relate to me that they have confidence in me.

And they voted you Chelsea’s Player of the Year — that must have pleased you.
It’s a great honour. I’m very proud because it’s the players and staff that decide - they’re the best possible judging panel.

What do you put this added recognition down to?
No, it’s just human nature. It took time for certain relationships to build. As far as my performances on the pitch are concerned, every player experiences times like these in their careers. It’s just like when you do well at school; it’s once you obtain good exam results that you gain confidence.

Are you willing to play in a holding midfield role for France?
(Laughs) It’s the only thing people want to talk to me about these days. I gave it a try during Euro 2008, and what happened then doesn’t motivate me to relive the experience. When the team’s winning, people will always say that it works, but when the opposite occurs, as it did back then, I ended up with a target on my back. It’s not really a position in which I enjoy playing. I can express myself better in other areas of the pitch.

With Chelsea’s double-winning season and your own fine form, are you now able to approach the World Cup with confidence?
Of course. Especially when I remember what happened in 2006 — prior to that tournament, I’d also celebrated all week with Lyon! When it came down to it, we took France on a great run. But it was much more difficult from a physical and psychological point of view due to the fact that beforehand I’d spent an hour being operated on, under anaesthetic.

At the beginning of the year, there was talk of Thierry Henry or Franck Ribery playing on the left for France. Your excellent performances this season could be the ideal solution.
I don’t know if it’s changed anything, it’s not for me to debate that kind of thing. My job is to simply play football. But it’s possible that playing at Chelsea has raised my profile. Of course, the main reason for that is the success the club has had. And Chelsea is not your run-of-the-mill football club.

Your thoughts on Patrick Vieira, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri’s exclusion.
It’s difficult to say, I imagine that they’re very disappointed. But now, for those that are part of the group, it’s time to get serious, to take responsibility.
courtesy FIFA.com