Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has revealed that Chelsea’s Florent Malouda is not a malicious player.
Following an incident involving Malouda that sent Pompey defender Ricardo Rocha to hospital during their midweek clash at Fratton Park, Grant stepped in to back Malouda who he used to manage at Stamford Bridge.
The Israeli told reporters that : “I can tell you, on the record, that Malouda is one of the most sporting players I’ve ever encountered. He is neither malicious nor aggressive,”
He also added that : “At the same time, though, it was not the best of challenges. It was much more a case, in my eyes, of going for the man rather than the ball.”
Thankfully for Portsmouth, Rocha should be right for this weekend’s clash at Tottenham.
Grant also said that : “Luckily Ricardo is not as seriously injured as we first feared and he should be available for us at the weekend,”