Florent Malouda, A Chelsea Success Story

Chelsea's Florent Malouda celebrates after scoring against Blackpool during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London September 19, 2010. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT A LICENCE FROM THE FOOTBALL DATA CO LTD. FOR LICENCE ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE ++44 (0)
Chelsea may have dropped their first points of the Premier League season at the weekend, but the result will have taken little away from a supremely impressive start to their defence of the Premier League.

One man who has been crucial to Carlo Ancelottis sides start has been Florent Malouda whose individual performances have very much mirrored Chelseas improvement under the Italian.

After arriving from Lyon in the summer of 2007 big things were expected from the winger. But unfortunately for Malouda he was expected to be the man to replace Arjen Robben, a task which was never going to be easy.

It didnt help one bit that Jose Mourinho, the manager who brought him to the club, left soon after Maloudas arrival. The Frenchman struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, and looked set to be another expensive flop at Stamford Bridge.

But over time Malouda would gradually settle in and ever since the arrival of Ancelotti, he looks a snip at 13 million. He scored 12 times last season as Chelsea regained the title, and has started this season in an even more prolific manor, scoring 6 times already.

Malouda himself feels that the arrival of Ancelotti has helped his game: Every single player at the club is having a lot of fun playing under him. I think our manager is one of the most prove! n manage rs there is.

Personally I feel that Maloudas emergence in to one of the worlds best wingers sums up the success Ancelotti has had at Chelsea. He has got players playing with confidence and freedom, none more so then Malouda, and the results have been nothing short of sensational.

Malouda has come a long way from the winger we first saw arrive in England, and his progression reflects a real reward for him sticking with English football after tough start. He is currently the Premier Leagues joint top scorer, and if he can continue his excellent form, it wouldnt surprise me to see him picking up a golden boot come May. Even if he doesnt he has certainly replaced Robben now and easily surpassed him.

Related posts:

  • Can Man City (finally) Replicate Chelseas Success?
  • Will Chelsea Continue Their Dominant Start?
  • Non-League Football Day: One Story From a Stepping Stone to Success


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