Michel Platini was a heroic player, both at club level with Nancy, St Etienne and Juventus, but in particular at international level where he was France’s talismanic midfielder throughout the 1980s, culminating of course in memorable French performances in Euro ’84 and Mexico ’86.

But to many of us who follow French football to some degree, there was a real sense that he went downhill pretty fast after that.  Firstly he seemed to have followed the course of so many other star French sportsmen, which is to open a bunch of restaurants and spend his life eating in them. He had a disastrous spell as manager of the French team, which coincided with that of Graham Taylor with England and had precisely the same level of success at Euro ’92 and qualifying for USA ’94.  Then finally as an expert studio pundit for Canal +, where his standoffishness, his arrogance (he only appeared alone with the anchor) and his clear boredom with the job (Lens v Sochaux anyone?) led to a standard of output which was about on a par with Glenn Hoddle, whom he resembles a little bit too closely in numerous other ways (though thankfully not on a superstitious level).

So we had a right to assume that upon his elevation to head of UEFA, we were going to get more of the same dross but with more ego to boot.

I have to say that much as I have found it hard to accept it and difficult to believe, from the beginning of Platini’s tenure, I have had a sneaking suspicion, which has gained in strength in the 18 months he has been on the job, that what he is doing is not only positive, fresh and bold, but also (with some misgivings) fundamentally right.

The main reason it has only been a sneaking suspicion (and one which I have found it difficult to voice) is that Platini has talked himself into being public enemy number one to English football.  He still has some work to do in shooting his mouth off and columnists as illustrious as the Observer’s Paul Wilson is referring to him as ‘increasingly barmy’.  Chief Executive of the Premier League Richard Scudamore can barely conceal his disdain for Platini’s views which he considers simplistic (and in many ways they are).  606 presenter Tim Lovejoy loathes him.

One thing’s for sure, there is a pattern to what Platini says that I find it difficult to contradict:

1) he believes that money is ruining the game, not helping it;

2) he thinks like a fan, not an administrator, but one who understands how football works behind the scenes;

3) he wants to act on racism in football, and

4) crucially, he doesn’t care about whether any of this makes him popular.

The reason for this post is that Andrew Hussey has written an article in the Observer today which I urge you to read as it picks up on the reality, rather than the soundbites alone.  In fact, you’re mostly better off ignoring the soundbites as apart from publicity, they rarely add anything.

Has Platini found his true calling?  And more to the point, can he actually achieve what he wants?