Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Chelsea and France star Florent Malouda has given his thoughts on the managers and moves shaping the English game this summer.
The Champions League winner has assessed Enzo Maresca 's daunting task at Manchester City , backed Frank Lampard 's decision to stay at Coventry City , and explained why he is frustrated for his former captain, John Terry .
The former Chelsea man has also weighed in on Liam Delap 's move to Newcastle , the prospect of him representing Ireland , and whether Cesc Fabregas is destined for a return to Chelsea or Arsenal .
Manchester City
How Would Maresca Get On as Man City Manager?
Enzo Maresca is walking into an impossible job, but at the same time, it's a great opportunity. You have a club with a recent winning history, which is great. They need to update a lot of things, so although it's not a blank page, you can come up with something different.
This is almost what's expected. You can see that some players are leaving, and the club will support him with his ideas. He can put his insight into it, but he will be assessed on his ability to manage the club, not only the first team. I won't compare him to Pep , but maybe the next Mikel Arteta , who can allow Man City to stay at the top for the next decade.
Former Teammates
Is Staying at Coventry the Right Move for Lampard?
Frank Lampard has made the right call by staying at Coventry City , definitely, because I think he learned from his past experiences as well. Sometimes an attractive position can be a problem. When you earn the confidence of the players, the club, and the fans, it's something that you should not take for granted. I think he's trusted at Coventry and he will have the support he needs to reach the club's objectives.
For him, it's a natural progression as well because finding that stability will help him mature his managing style and be able to manage more pressure in the manager role.
Would You Love to See Terry as a Manager?
John Terry as a manager? That's the issue when you're a new manager; there are not so many positions. I think he mentioned that being an interim manager would be a great opportunity for him, which I understand. But I think what he needs is, like Frank Lampard , to take a manager's role lower down. He also mentioned he applied for many jobs, not only at Chelsea . This is what is a bit strange.
You have someone as experienced as John Terry , who has all the coaching badges and is going for interviews, yet they cannot get a job. For me, he was in assistant roles, but for the moment, club owners, boards, and directors don't see him as a first-team manager for whatever reason, which is a bit frustrating for him because he knows a lot about football. As I mentioned, he is a natural-born leader. I hope he gets a chance to prove himself in the Premier League and show that he has what it takes.
Liam Delap
Could Delap's Newcastle Move Be a Great Fit?
Liam Delap to Newcastle could be a success. I think he needs regular football; he needs to play. Confidence will come from that. For any opportunity, of course, nothing is guaranteed, but he needs to go to a club where he will have more chances. I don't think even with the new manager at Chelsea , he will have more game time. So any opportunity to go to a club and get more game time, he has to take it.
How Would You Feel About Delap Representing Ireland?
Liam Delap to play for Ireland ? The question is, do you really want to play for Ireland , and is there an opportunity? And not because he hasn't been called up by England , that he has to go for Ireland . For me, he must first confirm that he's a top striker and a top player, then he would be wanted by both national teams. This is the challenge because when you see the level of competition in the England national team, you have to wait for a long time.
But you don't want Irish fans to think that it's only because you're not being picked by England . Now you think about representing our country. When you represent a country, it's something you have to feel deep inside, and it must mean something to you.
Cesc Fabregas
Can You See a Future Chelsea Manager in Fabregas?
I think Cesc Fabregas will end up at either Chelsea or Arsenal . What's good is that he knows what he wants. In Como , he's developing himself, and he feels like he needs to maybe mature his ideas a little bit more, get more experience, and he realises the impact he has when he transfers knowledge to the players.
He also knows the difference between Serie A and the Premier League , so a lot comes down to preparation. I feel that he already knows the next step in his career and is just following his plan.
Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
Behind every great sporting moment is a story worth telling. The BOYLE Sports Editorial team sits down with the most relevant names in sport for candid conversations, genuine insight, and the kind of access that brings you closer to the real stories behind the headlines.
