Former Premier League star Florent Malouda insists football can rival cricket in India ahead of historic friendly
Frenchman is is part of a Delhi Dynamos team who will become the first Indian Super League team to face a Prem outfit
IT has already pulled in attendances only Old Trafford can better - and now Florent Malouda reckons India's on-the-rise football league can take on its giant cricketing rival.
Champions League winner Malouda is part of a Delhi Dynamos team who will make history at West Brom on Saturday by becoming the first Indian Super League team to face a Premier League outfit.
And Malouda is extremely optimistic about football's chances of taking hold in India like the Prem has captured the world's imagination.
He said: "Could it compete with cricket in the future? Yes. The model is always the Premier League.
"When you look at the population in India it has huge potential. The difficulty in the beginning is that the the big sporting culture in India is the cricket.
"They are still working on it to try to start the right formula. People want spectacular.
"If you manage to make it spectacular I really think it can be something huge. There is a real passion when you arrive in India. I am proud to be part of it.
"There is still a long way to go. It is just the third year - compare that to how long the Premier League has been around."
WEST BROM
- Founded: 1878
- Manager: Tony Pulis
- Stadium capacity: 26,850
- League position last year: 14/20
- Nickname: The Baggies
- Star player: Nacer Chadli
The Hawthorns clash will continue the Dynamos' preparations ahead of the new season, which runs between October and December.The league has eight teams from around India and adopts a similar franchise model to that of the massively successful cricketing IPL.
There are similarities too with the growing football markets in China and United States, home of the MLS, with other star names such as Diego Forlan and Eider Gudjohnsen having also been recruited.
Italian World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta bosses Malouda's side, replacing Roberto Carlos, while another Brazilian great, Zico, is in charge at FC Goa.
Great Britain is also represented with Steve Coppell managing the Kerala Blasters part owned by cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.
DELHI DYNAMOS
- Founded: 2014
- Manager: Gianluca Zambrotta
- Stadium capacity: 60,000
- League position last year: 4/8
- Nickname: The Lions
- Star player: Florent Malouda
Their team includes ex-Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes, while ex-Derby midfielder Stephen Pearson is at Atletico de Kolkata.
Those two teams have attracted the biggest following to date, averaging crowds of over 50,000 last term.
Remarkably, one Kolkata boasted an attendance of 68,340 - more than the Emirates can hold and a crowd number only Old Trafford can top in the Premier League.
After spells with Trabzonspor and Metz following his departure from Chelsea in 2013, Malouda admits he had reached an age where he was ready for a different challenge.
And, just like David Beckham did with the MLS, he wants to make a difference and help spread the football world in a new territory.
He said: "At this stage of my career this is what I have to give back to football.
"We are ambassadors. We know that we are role models who can inspire new fans.
"This is why it is a real challenge for me - not only to live on my name but also because there is a great experience and and I have to be ready for it.
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"Everything we are doing we have to keep that in mind that people are watching us, a little bit like when there is a Premier League game - so many people are watching.
"Of course for me it was a completely new experience, a new choice of life to discover a new culture and league.
"Last season was my first experience of it. A short league with a lot of travelling. Games every four or five days. It's very short and intense.
"I'm coming close to the end of my career. I like more time to rest and appreciate what I have done and get my motivation back to start something new.
"I still think I have a lot to give. There's a role on the pitch and off it too so there's a nice transition for me."
As for his team-mates, Malouda believes Saturday's game against the Baggies is the perfect chance for them to put themselves in the shop window.
He added: "A lot of our players were asking me about the Premier League, how were the training facilities and so on.
"Also, if I thought they could make it abroad in a big team. So for them, this will be a good test.
"It's exciting to be back here. I still have a few friends here so it's great for pre-season before we travel to Delhi.
"Unfortunately we lost in the semi-finals last year. Our mission was to win and that feeling helped me make my decision for this year as I want to do better and win this ISL.
"That's the challenge. Now we have a new coach. We can use that frustration from last season."