GROUP A/France v Mexico:TO THE considerable range of talents he has demonstrated over the past season, Florent Malouda can now add that of silver-tongued diplomat. The Chelsea winger came out on the eve of France's vital tie with Mexico tonight to state he had "always accepted and would always accept whatever the coach decides. He's the boss."
Malouda did it all without biting his tongue or wincing too visibly. But he is set to get his reward. After his row with Raymond Domenech, the France manager, which led to his being dropped for last Friday’s opener against Uruguay, Malouda is expected to be recalled to the starting line-up.
If Domenech’s decision to use Malouda only as a 75th-minute substitute in the 0-0 draw with Uruguay was startling, given how well he had played in Chelsea’s Double-winning campaign, it also reinforced the uncompromising attitude towards man-management Domenech is taking to his final weeks in the job.
Domenech, having switched to a new-look 4-3-3 formation in France’s three warm-up matches before their arrival in South Africa, had told Malouda last Wednesday that, as one of the central trio, he now wanted him to play more defensively, closer to the holding midfielder Jeremy Toulalan, in what was essentially a reversion to his original 4-2-3-1.
Malouda objected, pointing out that attacking was his forte; the row erupted, and the player was then reported to have upset Domenech with an overzealous approach to training 24 hours later. Malouda was clearly angry to have been dropped but, knowing Domenech is nothing if not stubborn, he surmised he might need to swallow his pride and make a public gesture of contrition.
With Abou Diaby having impressed in Malouda’s stead against Uruguay, the player’s recall is expected to come at the expense of the out-of-form Yoann Gourcuff.
It may also offer France a different dimension. With Malouda on the left, Franck Ribery could move inside to occupy Gourcuff’s roving central role behind the lone striker.
Ribery, who was stifled against Uruguay, could benefit from the freedom.
Domenech’s other selection teaser concerns whether to persist with right-winger Sidney Govou, another out-of-form player, or hand a dramatic recall to Thierry Henry, who caught the eye after coming on against Uruguay. Domenech has pressed Henry, the one-time talisman and captain, to the fringes after his dismal season at Barcelona.
But with Govou struggling, Domenech has the option to move Nicolas Anelka out wide and start Henry up front.
France need a better performance than their first, but, most importantly, they need a result in a tie that Mexico’s Arsenal forward Carlos Vela has billed as being “kill or be killed”.
Mexico drew their opening fixture 1-1 with South Africa and although they might have done more to build on an encouraging start to the game, Vela is bullish.
“People may say we haven’t delivered yet but I’m convinced we have what it takes to triumph,” he said.
“We want to use the South Africa tie as a basis on which to build and we really are full of desire to go out and make history. I really want to stress that we are the golden generation of Mexican football.”
Meanwhile, Fifa have rejected a request from France to call up a new goalkeeper after Cedric Carrasso suffered a thigh muscle injury in training on Monday.
Les Bleus had hoped to draft in Stephane Ruffier as a replacement for Bordeaux number one Carrasso, and the Monaco goalkeeper had cut short a holiday as he waited to find out whether he could be called upon.
However, FIfa’s bureau of the organising committee have decided not to grant dispensation for Carrasso to be replaced.
France take on Mexico in Polokwane tomorrow in their second World Cup match, having drawn their opener against Uruguay last Friday.
Carrasso is considered France’s third-choice goalkeeper behind Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda.
Ruffier (23), had returned from a holiday after getting a call from the France team. The former under-21 international has never been called up to the senior squad.
