In an exclusive interview with BOYLE Sports , Chelsea icon Florent Malouda has given his thoughts on if Rayhan Cherki can make a big impact for Man City.
The former France international has also explained why even Zinedine Zidane couldn’t fix Manchester United and gives his thoughts on whether Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers could both someday return to the Premier League.
Malouda has also tipped John Terry for a coaching role with England, told Chelsea to sign Marc Guehi and backed Brendan Rodgers to return to the Premier League.
Rayan Cherki
Cherki Impact
Can Rayan Cherki have a big impact on the Premier League? Definitely. He's a young player who started his career early but didn't get much game time at Lyon. Last season was probably one of his first playing a full season, so he's still in the learning phase. He's one of the most talented players of the upcoming generation in France. Currently, he's building himself up with Man City, but he's also learning the pace and intensity of the Premier League. His body will take time to adapt to this new pace, intensity, system, and manager.
As I always say, how do you truly focus on and care for your body? How do you look after it, and how does all this invisible training help him express his talent at the highest level? Once he manages to get that element right, I think we will see the type of player he is and the impact he can have on the Premier League.
Zinedine Zidane
Zidane Wouldn’t Fix Man United
Zinedine Zidane will prioritise the French national team, and even if he were to go to Manchester United, there are many more issues that need to be resolved before bringing in a manager of his calibre. It's not like he would join United as a director of football and then transition to management, as he did at Real Madrid.
I believe any manager would struggle with the current Manchester United squad because we still view them as title contenders. We need to accept that they no longer are. It feels like every year, discussions about managers highlight worse and worse records; the spiral is only going down.
That's my feeling. Bringing in someone like Zidane wouldn't fix that. Someone like Zidane would expect to arrive in a situation where things are already aligned with his preferences before he can add value. That's why I expect his plan is to take over the French national team, demonstrate excellence, and translate that excellence into results.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho Needs A Break!
I believe that Jose Mourinho belongs in London. So, seeing him at Manchester United was a bit weird. I was happier when he was managing Tottenham, to be honest.
Nottingham Forest is a historical club with a great history and great fans. However, I don't know how he would get along with the owner because Mourinho needs full support and the right tools to have a real impact. I don't think Forest is actually the priority for him, and I believe he needs to take time to refill his energy before taking over his next club.
Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers Belongs To The Premier League
Brendan Rodgers belongs in the Premier League. He's been successful, and I liked his spell with Liverpool. He has drive and passion for football.
I remember him from my time at Chelsea as someone who loves the game and is great at developing young players. I hope he gets an opportunity to manage a team that aims for Champions League spots, with the budget to build a competitive team.
Ibrahima Konate
Konate Wants A Better Deal
You have to consider two elements: the transfer window and the upcoming World Cup. Of course, this can play on your mind, but we're talking about a world-class player. There are great expectations with France, and Ibrahima Konate has been one of the defensive leaders alongside Mike Maignan. I think Konate wants a better deal; it's as simple as that. You've been successful with your club, and you see new players arriving with good deals, so you want to see what's next for you. This might affect your start of the season, but ultimately, as I always say, it's in the club's best interest to sort it out quickly.
I think when you make a player feel like, ‘Okay, we can replace you anytime,’ you don't have the same commitment from the player, and the player will look for his options, especially close to the end of his deal. But ultimately, players must be mentally strong to focus on performances and give their best for the club. Like I said, look after your body. He's someone we want to be at his peak towards the end of the season, before the World Cup with France.
Contract Talks
You have access to all types of information, but it's more about, especially when you've been at the club, performed, and did well, you want some kind of reward. I'm talking about longevity, not just a big deal. It's like, you have one year left and you want to make long-term plans. I think it was the same with Virgil van Dijk.
At one point, he didn't know if he was renewing; he had his injuries. But when you're at a club like Liverpool, you want a long-term deal. So if it's not coming, you feel like you're not fully part of the plan, especially when they are renewing and refreshing the team.
Then you start questioning, ‘Do they like me or not?’ It's almost like a relationship. You want reassurance. So it's not about getting a better contract or salary. I believe it's more about, ‘Do they think I belong here or not?’ Because you want the club to show you that they have plans for you.
William Saliba
Saliba Injury Issues
Is William Saliba in danger of missing out on a starting spot for France? No, I don't think so because it's still early in September. Having said that, has to be careful how he manages this injury so it doesn't become chronic during the season, which would alter his preparation for the World Cup.
With Ibrahima Konate, Saliba is one of the leaders of the French team and a key player for Arsenal when he's in best form. You can see that Arsenal is also performing well. However, managing the physical side of his game will be crucial this season.
I don't think there's a risk of him missing the World Cup due to this injury, but the way he manages and recovers from it might affect his season.
Frank Lampard
Lampard At Coventry
When he took over, you could see that his character really matched Coventry City, and he brought that energy. I always see his celebrations, and I feel like I've never seen him so happy. As a manager, to go and celebrate with the fans like that, I've never seen him like this. It feels like he's still young as a manager, and the way he transfers his energy to the players is converted into results.
So it's good that they started well, but you know that the Championship is a very long one season. So it's about how long he can sustain this type of energy because what he's showing now is his leadership. Players looked up to him when he was at Chelsea as a leader. As a manager, it feels like players in Coventry are looking up to him. So it's nice to see and inspiring.
Match Predictions
Brentford vs Chelsea
It’s after the international break, but Chelsea have a good dynamic away from home. They can’t afford to drop points in this one, so I’ll say a comfortable Chelsea win.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
I’ll go for a draw in this one, I think it will be close. It’s a game I’d love to go to, I like the Allianz Arena. I expect goals and an offensive game. That's what's good with Bayern Munich, it's always an offensive game. It will be a great game to watch with nothing to separate them.”
Manchester United vs Chelsea?
For me, it's two things: an opportunity to distance Chelsea from Manchester United and maybe a chance for it to be Ruben Amorim's last game. You want to send messages about your ambitions when you play these types of games.
It's not about who is injured or not. Your presence and wearing this badge, and being able to get results from a place like Old Trafford, sends the right message across the Premier League.
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