Diarra on song for the Blues

At the age of 22, Chelsea FC's combative midfielder Lassana Diarra has earned his first France call-up. The honour comes as reward for a career that has started to blossom in west London, where his qualities on the pitch and patience off it, have been recognised by José Mourinho.

Porto revelation
Diarra's performance in the second leg of Chelsea's UEFA Champions League first knockout round win against FC Porto did much to convince his Portuguese manager, following a slow start to his residence at Stamford Bridge. That night, playing out of position at right-back, the youngster showed exactly what he could do, giving life to a flank that Michael Ballack often left untended. Indeed, it was Diarra whose decisive pass teed up Arjen Robben's equaliser, before he took the plaudits from the crowd when replaced by Paulo Ferreira.

Diarra dynasty
Subsequently, the Parisian native has started both FA Cup ties his club have played against Tottenham Hotspur FC, and then been awarded his first cap by France coach Raymond Domenech in Saturday's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Lithuania, a 1-0 victory. With Les Bleus, he is known by his first name, Lassana, his surname being already represented at the highest level by Mahamadou (Real Madrid CF) and Alou (Olympique Lyonnais), both of whom have Malian roots too. Like Alou, Lassana has opted to play for France, his country of birth - a decision he made "a long time ago".

Midfielder ambition
Also in common with his namesakes, this Diarra is a defensive midfielder, and despite the fine full-back cameo against Porto - a position where competition is less fierce in the Chelsea squad - it is a central role he craves. "I play on the right, I help the team and enjoy it. But I want to play in midfield. I am a midfielder and in the future that is where I'll play," he told uefa.com. If he is to achieve his target, he faces daunting competition. Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel are all fighting for places. Mourinho seems ready to give Diarra his chance though. "Lassana was waiting and waiting, but working, and when he went into the team it was to stay," he said. "He went from being a nobody to being a first-choice Chelsea player."

Rapid rise
It is a remarkable rise after a 2005/06 campaign that left a bitter taste for Diarra. After his first senior season with Ligue 2 outfit Le Havre AC in France, he caught the eye at the Toulon Under-21 Tournament in the summer of 2005, and was duly signed by Chelsea. However, he would remain in the shadows at his new club for 12 months, featuring in just three Premiership games before his appearance with France at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Portugal. "It's true I've had some problems with Chelsea, but now things are better," he admitted.

Makelele the mentor
And in Makelele, Diarra has the best possible mentor. "He's my role model," he said, before revealing the high expectations of his coach. "Mourinho told me he wants me to be Claude's successor." In the France squad, Patrick Vieira, Jérémy Toulalan, Rio Antonio Mavuba and Alou Diarra all stand in his way, yet competition does not seem to frighten the new international. Whether at the Blues or Les Bleus.