Desailly: I'll prove I'm still the man

The vintage veteran, who turns 36 in September, has been usurped in Chelsea's team this season by compatriot William Gallas but he has no intention of relinquishing his France captaincy.

''The press say I am on the down slope and it might be true,'' conceded Desailly to The Times.

''It's fair enough at my age not to be the same I was five or ten years ago. But I bring more than tackles or just what happens in the game.

''I bring other things, influence. We don't have leaders like we did a few years ago. I help the young players, take the pressure off them.

''You can be a great club player but not a great international player.

''All the press are saying I'm finished but I'll prove I'm still the man.''

Desailly is a certainty to line-up against England in Portugal and the classy World Cup winner predicts a tight contest, which could be decided by France's key men Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane.

''In midfield and defence, both teams are good - almost the same,'' continued Desailly.

''It takes only a small difference at this level. That is Zidane and Henry.''

Despite being the favourites to finish as eventual winners of Euro 2004, Desailly insists the pressure is not on France - citing Portugal and Czech Republic as his personal tips for glory.

''At 1998 we felt we had nothing to lose. Suddenly, if we didn't win the World Cup in 2002, we could lose the lot,'' he said.

''A negative pressure came on us; if we don't win the competition, we are failures.

''Now we start the cycle again, feeling the same way we felt in 1998. We are going in hope but it is not an obligation to win.

''Czech Republic and Portugal are more favourites than us. You can't say we are, no way.''