Malouda has been reduced to the role of a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge and is expected to leave the Blues at the end of the season.

But Blanc believes the 31-year-old winger, who has 74 caps to his name, has the international experience needed to succeed in Poland and Ukraine.

"We can't have a national squad with only young players," Blanc told reporters.

"With a young team, we have often had troubles and moments of fear. The tournament environment is like that.

"You need to have the experience from having played a lot of international games to perform well. Malouda has this profile, even if he's not very competitive in his club."

Blanc used his provisional squad announcement to ask the French media to be less critical of Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, who has often been accused of failing to deliver for his country.

"People need to leave him alone," Blanc said. "Even if it's difficult for you (the press).

"He needs to stop putting extra pressure on his shoulders. Because then he loses some of his simplicity, his efficiency and plays a different game.

"In Bayern Munich he's free, in an environment of confidence. We need to make him feel confident and not pressure him."

Turning his attention to another of his star names, Blanc confirmed that Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will lead the French attack at the Euros.

"Benzema is an unquestionable starter for me," the former Bordeaux coach said. "He's now a very important player in Real Madrid, not just for his talent, but because he has improved collectively.

"He's complete. He even has discovered that he's good with his head. He's more mature, but his talent is still the same."

Blanc added that Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye are also crucial to his squad.

"Koscielny is having an excellent season," he said. "He's probably the player who has improved the most in the last eight months.

"I thought Cabaye was very interesting when he was playing in Lille; now he's confirming it abroad. He has a greater dimension to his game than when he was with Lille.

"Technically, he's very good. He's very smart and understands the game very well."

France have been drawn in Group D with England, Ukraine and Sweden.