Real Madrid's Lass: I'm no mercenary

Lassana Diarra says the winning mentality at Real Madrid is the biggest change he's noticed since arriving from Portsmouth.

The France midfielder explained: "What I've noticed in the Madrid dressing room is a great mentality. Everybody wants to win. It reminds me of the time I was under the orders of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea."

"Only a victory will do and everyone is the same way, the directors and players. Take a player like Raul, who has won almost everything, but is still hungry."

Lass also hit out at critics of his regular transfers: "I laugh when they call me a mercenary. I never played in the French First Division, but managed to take the step up to a league as demanding as that of England."

"I played many matches with Chelsea, including a quarter-final and a Champions League semi-final and won a Cup with Portsmouth. Those who criticize me forget so quickly."