It was a homecoming Florent Malouda wasn’t expecting. Along with rest of his Delhi Dynamos teammates, the former France international arrived in Kolkata late October. But the tough away encounter in the Indian Super League (ISL) wasn’t the only thing on his mind.
The football mad East Indian city has hosted several big names in the past, including Lionel Messi’s Argentina in an international friendly. But Kolkata holds a special place in Malouda’s heart. It is where his great grandmother hailed from. She lived in the city in the 19th century, until she was taken to the West Indies as a slave.
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So for the 35-year-old, the trip was more about tracing his ancestry as much as playing a match at the Salt Lake Stadium.
“My roots are from India,” says Malouda. “My great grandmother used to live in Kolkata. Way back in 1856 she was picked up from that city as a slave and was transported to the West Indies.”
Malouda’s mother was born in French Guinea. He, too, was born there before moving to greener pastures in France at the age of 15 and subsequently to England and Chelsea. On a personal or professional level, Malouda had never visited the subcontinent before he joined Delhi Dynamos. Growing up, he would hear stories about his Indian connection but it always remained mystery to him. So when the ISL offer was made, he couldn’t stop himself from hopping on board.
“It feels strange to note that I have come back to the same city as a professional footballer. I have heard about this place but never visited before. Many people are asking for my autograph and want to be photographed with me. It’s a surreal feeling, to come to a place where my family has some connection.
“I knew about the ISL last year when Delhi Dynamos president Prashant Agarwal approached me. We kept in touch and I have been following (the league) since then. India was always at the back of my mind and after listening to the plans from Delhi Dynamos, I just couldn’t stop.”
PARIS ATTACKS
A long way from India, Malouda’s former home has been claiming the headlines for the past 10 days. He has refrained from talking about the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, an incident that left a mark on him according to Delhi player-manager Roberto Carlos, who said: “It left him concerned, of course. But he is a professional. On field, he hasn’t let it affect him.”
It is tough to disagree with Carlos. Malouda has a profound impact on Delhi’s performance in every match, leading the side with authority. On paper, Carlos may be Delhi’s marquee player. But on field, there’s little doubt over who the Dynamos’ key man is. Along with John Arne Riise, Malouda has provided direction to a Delhi team that lacked leadership last season, which resulted in them failing to qualify for the ISL semi-finals.
This year, they are second on the table and are all but assured of a place in the last four, owing largely to Malouda’s consistency and his presence in the midfield. The Champions League winner may have lost some pace, but he has shown that there’s no substitute for awareness on pitch and experience. He has played with distinction both on the wings and as a No. 10 in Carlos’ set-up.
“I believe in what I do and Roberto too believes in it,” Malouda explains. “I’ve been used to playing in all positions in my career. It also helps Roberto to move the team around. It is important for a player to be useful to the team and that’s my role here.”
The ISL has generated interest among a lot of international players but there has been a debate raging in India over the tournaments future, with many in favour to merge it with the I-League. However, Malouda warned that India isn’t ready for a long-form league yet.
“I think football must improve in India. There are a lot of things that can be achieved here. Apart from the ISL, there must be other things too. ISL is a good start as it is attracting players and generating interest. However, you cannot build a Premier League instantly, but the ISL is not the only answer. A lot of things need to be done. I don’t think India is ready to have a longer league yet.”
BACKING THE BLUES
While Malouda has been changing fate of his current club Delhi, he has also been closely following the declining fortunes of his former club Chelsea. The defending champions have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign but Malouda believes the team will improve.
Our Lion @realflorentm is on fire as he leads the Assists Leaderboard in the #HeroISL! pic.twitter.com/nnfybHB30P
— Delhi Dynamos FC (@DelhiDynamos) November 21, 2015
“Chelsea is a club built on strong character,” says Malouda. “Of course they are going through a difficult time. Everybody knows it’s not Chelsea’s standard but it’s the same squad that was the champion last year. John Terry is still skipper and I know how he is when things are difficult at the club and he’s always the one trying to help get everybody right.
“I am confident they will turn things around because they have a lot of quality and they showed it last year. The Premier League is a very difficult league and when you lose that many points it’s not going to be easy. But I’ve seen it before, I’ve seen bad starts, but the most important thing is the finish.”
He also threw his weight behind the under-fire Jose Mourinho, whose future has been a topic of speculation.
“I’m pretty sure he knows what to do because he is a manager who works a lot and knows what he is doing. But only the results will stop the doubters but I will never doubt this manager. I have seen him find the right words so many times and when he talks to the players he knows what to say. Of course he needs results but he is a good manager and I’m sure things will soon become positive.”
For now, though, Mourinho and Chelsea aren’t the issues that bother him. Carlos and Delhi have kept him pre-occupied enough. And perhaps the continued search of his ancestral roots back in Kolkata.
