Malouda hails French chemistry

9 June 2012 14:52

Florent Malouda believes the club-like spirit in the France squad can help them in the build-up to their Euro 2012 opener against England.

Laurent Blanc's men are preparing for their first game of the tournament, and will face Roy Hodgson's side on Monday.

The Chelsea winger said the French squad are all very close, and the fact that a number of their players play in the Premier League will help them against England.

"We have similar ties to club players," he told reporters.

"The squad environment has the spirit of a club, the players are all close and that can be very helpful.

"The game against England will be tightly fought and well balanced. Anything is possible for the team that makes the fewest mistakes.

"We have a number of players competing in the Premier League and I think we can take something away from that.

"It gives us extra motivation and the game may turn out to be special."

Ukraine and Sweden are the other two teams in Group D, and they meet on Monday.