Source: Team_Talk
Malouda: Blanc wants rapid improvement
France captain Florent Malouda has praised the influence of Laurent Blanc, but warned the new coach demands instant results from Les Bleus.[LNB] The former France defender replaced Raymond Domenech after a dismal World Cup campaign last summer.[LNB]Blanc has been tasked with restoring faith in the national team and rebuilding team spirit after the squad's mutiny in South Africa.[LNB]But his reign got off to a disappointing start with a 2-1 friendly defeat in Norway before Les Bleus lost their opening Euro 2012 qualifier at home to Belarus last month.[LNB]France bounced back to win 2-0 in Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later but Malouda has warned his team-mates Blanc will not tolerate any more slip-ups.[LNB]"Having talked with him, I don't think Blanc will be patient," he told France Football.[LNB]"He is demanding quick results to improve and develop a good atmosphere around Les Bleus.[LNB]"His character is quite different to Raymond Domenech. A few months ago, there was a very negative atmosphere around Les Bleus, it is not the case anymore.[LNB]"That heaviness was not only due to the coach, but also our bad results.[LNB]"But Blanc has brought serenity, structures of work and a calmer atmosphere."[LNB]Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra has been banned for five matches for his part in the revolt against Domenech and stripped of the captaincy.[LNB]Malouda has since been handed the captain's armband and although the Chelsea forward admits it is a great honour, he believes Blanc is keen to restore a leadership group rather than put so much emphasis on the captain's role.[LNB]And Malouda even offered some words of support to the former skipper.[LNB]"Evra is not someone nasty who used his position for bad purposes and led the group to disaster," he said.[LNB]"The armband is not essential, in my eyes. The coach talked about a core of several key players, and I believe he is right.[LNB]"But, with or without the armband he (Blanc) can rely on me. Being named captain against Belarus means that in three months I have gone from rebel to captain, gang leader to doyen.[LNB]"The armband has been a pride. When I came back to England, people said: 'So here is the captain.' I felt I had represented France."[LNB]Les Bleus continue their qualifying campaign in Paris against Romania on Saturday before facing Luxembourg in Metz on Tuesday.[LNB]But Malouda already has his sights set on playing in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, even though he will be 34 at the time.[LNB]"Coming from French Guyana, it is a major priority to me," he added. "I would like to go to Brazil - and not as part of the technical staff.[LNB]"I talked about it with (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich. He laughed, but I said: 'It is my objective, I want to be outstanding until that time.'"
