It is an understatement to say that Chelsea have had a tough few weeks. From the revelations about John Terry’s off-field behaviour to Ashley Cole’s broken ankle to defeats against Everton, Inter Milan and Manchester City, manager Carlo Ancelotti cannot be sleeping easy at the moment. The Blues remain well-placed to chase a Treble this season, particularly after their 2-0 FA Cup win over Stoke, yet they were certainly glad to see the back of February. March was welcomed with open arms.

Though Cole and Michael Essien will spend the rest of the season on the treatment table and Terry looks out of sorts, Ancelotti must be delighted with the way that other members of his squad have stepped up to keep their trophy quest on track. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka have been outstanding in attack, Frank Lampard is scoring again from midfield and Branislav Ivanovic continues to develop at right back.

Florent Malouda has been another key man for the Blues this season. Signed from Lyon for £13M back in the summer of 2007, the Frenchman began brightly with a fine goal in the Community Shield, shrugging off Rio Ferdinand and firing home. He looked to be the rampaging, pacy wide man that Chelsea had been craving since the days of Arjen Robben and Damien Duff during the hugely successful Jose Mourinho era.

But that debut season did not go according to plan. Mourinho left Stamford Bridge and new boss Avram Grant showed less faith in the winger. His form hit the rocks, his confidence plummeted and rumours surfaced about a quick transfer back to Lyon. He dropped to the bench and watched the likes of Salomon Kalou leapfrog him in the pecking order.

Malouda refused to panic, though, and he has been rewarded with a return to the starting line-up. When Luiz Felipe Scolari took over from Grant, the Frenchman received a second chance to impose himself and found his rhythm at last. He claims he never considered a move away from Chelsea during the tough times, admitting that injuries and loss of form are just part of the game.

When Scolari was replaced by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the Blues’ setup underwent more changes but Malouda continued to be a mainstay. At the end of the 2008/09 season, he started on the left in the FA Cup final, supplying the cross for Drogba’s equaliser and enjoying the celebrations as Lampard bagged the winner. That particular afternoon emphasised just how impressively the Frenchman had bounced back. After all, with the other talent in the Chelsea squad, it would have been easy for him to fade into the background.

Under Ancelotti, Malouda’s role has changed somewhat. The switch to a formation that included two strikers and a narrow four-man midfield did not appear to be good news for a natural winger like Malouda. He would now be competing with Lampard, Essien, Michael Ballack, John Obi Mikel, Joe Cole and several others. But a combination of good form and unfortunate injuries to Essien and Cole have pulled Malouda into the spotlight.

He has adapted his style to fit the new system, continuing to push forward and pass effectively but adding a more combative element to his play. On the left side of the midfield diamond, Malouda has been an unsung hero with his steady presence. His versatility has also been a blessing for Ancelotti, who was able to utilise the midfielder at left back against Inter Milan in the first leg of the Blues’ Champions League second round clash at the San Siro.

Malouda also has his sights set on the World Cup this summer as a part of the French squad. He came off the bench in the recent friendly defeat against Spain but was one of the brighter spots on the night and seems certain to make the trip to South Africa. He hopes to have a boost from winning more silverware for Chelsea to carry into the tournament.

All in all, that £13M price tag is looking very good value now. The smile that was so rarely seen in his first season is on full show and he is clearly enjoying his football – hardly a surprise given his recent displays. Chelsea have plenty of issues on their plate at present that are bound to cause distractions but, with the Blues heavy favourites to win the FA Cup and serious contenders for the other two major competitions that remain, Malouda has a lot to look forward to as the season enters the final stretch.

 

  Latest Articles:

 

 

Photo courtesy: Tsutomu Takasu