Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has hailed the new found team spirit within the squad.
France international has eyes only for Europe's best clubs
Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has hailed the new found team spirit within the squad.
The 26-year-old enjoyed arguably his finest season last year and is optimistic about the upcoming campaign.
Mandanda feels the high-profile departures of Mamadou Niang and Hatem Ben Arfa last year disrupted the squad, which is now more settled.
"We have worked very hard this pre-season and the atmosphere has been very different compared to last season," he told
L'Equipe.
Disruption
"There was a bit of disruption when Mamadou Niang and Ben Arfa left. This time around the atmosphere is a lot calmer and that is a massive difference.
"The situation now is easier and better for the group."
There has been a lot of speculation linking Lucho with a move away from the South of France but Mandanda has urged the talented playmaker to stay with the club.
"He is very professional, a great player and very important to us," he added.
Asset
"Obviously we are happy that he is in the team and we hope he will stay. If he stays I will be very happy because he is a great asset."
Mandanda too has been the subject of interest from other teams but he insists he is happy at Marseille and would only leave for a big European club.
"I'm at one of the best clubs in France," he explained.
"If I had to leave this club, it would be to go to a club at that next level, so that I could improve - that would mean joining a very big European side."
