France's exiled avenger

Steed Malbranque is the only member of the French Under-21 team playing abroad, but he has found a home from home in south-west London’s Fulham FC, where his manager and coach are French, as are several key members of the squad.

London success
Malbranque is a key member of U-21 coach Raymond Domenech’s squad as France seek to emulate the feats of their senior colleagues. Slotting neatly into “the hole” just behind the front two, Malbranque has scored eight times in 41 appearances for the club owned by Egyptian millionaire Mohammed al-Fayed and managed by former French international Jean Tigana. He joined them last summer for €5.4m.

Eventful season
“I see myself playing for Fulham next season. I feel good at this club and I’m staying,” Malbranque said at the end of a dramatic 12 months for the Belgian-born 22-year-old. A year ago he was holding aloft the French Cup with Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de France, and was one of the most exciting young members of the young Lyon team.

National team honours
But a few months later, his spirits were at rock bottom when Lyon made it clear they did not consider him ready for the first team. The diminutive midfielder had played a total of 91 games for Lyon and had already broken through into the French U-21 team by the time he left for England. He has already represented his country as captain of the French U-18 team, playing for France first as a 15 year old.

The name game
Malbranque may have a French name, but his first name is as British as can be although he was born in Belgium and lived there until he was four years old. His parents were fans of the English television series The Avengers, and in particular the main character – the ultimate English gentleman – John Steed. The headline writers of the English media have had enormous fun with Malbranque’s first name this season as he made an instant impression. Other Premiership clubs have also been expressing an interest, although Tigana appears determined to keep his promising young charge.

Zola comparison
Scotland and former AS Monaco midfielder John Collins, now at Fulham, compared Malbranque with Gianfranco Zola of Chelsea FC. “He’s young, he’s small and similar to Zola in the way that he takes the ball and beats players.” With Malbranque's help, Fulham finished a creditable 13th in their first FA Premiership season.

Language problems
It is clear Malbranque feels more at home with the national squads, where he is surrounded by former Lyon colleagues and can speak French. He has yet to come to terms with the language of his adopted country, although he is working on it. “The other guys speak so quickly. Sometimes I manage to understand half a sentence but it’s not easy.”