Goodbye Malouda?

Curtains For Malouda? 

Florent Malouda arrived at Chelsea in 2007 after leaving the French club Lyon. Malouda didn't have a big impact immediately and didn't play a lot, either. As new managers came in the following seasons, Malouda saw an increase in playing time and a bigger role, none bigger than in 2009/2010. He was regarded as one of our best players and was surrounded by good friends in Drogba, Anelka and Kalou. Malouda was a speedy, talented midfielder who plays on the left wing & occasionally as an attacking midfielder. The reaction he evoked from Chelsea fans, however, was split. Some fans loved him, some hated him, some didn't really care as long as he played well and the team won.

The Ups

In the 2008/09 season, Malouda was an incredible midfielder for Guus Hiddink and Scolari with an outstanding performance in the FA Cup Final vs Everton. He was certainly a crucial player and losing him at that point would have been devastating, so the club offered him a new 4 year contract.
2009/10 season, in comes Carlo Ancelotti and in comes the goals from the Chels and masterful performances from the French man. He, along with Drogba and Lampard, were the key figures in our magnificent Double (FA Cup and EPL). Malouda was delivering in the clutch and never showed that he was on a rise towards being one of Chelsea's best and possibly Top 15 midfielders in Europe at the time.
2010/11 season, a poor season for Chelsea that resulted in no trophies and a 2nd place finish behind rivals Manchester United. Malouda had scored 13 goals, the club's leading goalscorer, and was still playing quite well.

The Downs 

2007/08 season, he arrived from Lyon, but was given no playing time as Mourinho was out and Avram Grant was in. There wasn't much to say about him, at that time, but we would see later on that he was a top player.

2011/12 season, goodbye Carlo.. hello Andre! Villas-Boas was in and Malouda was not in the squad much and wasn't involved in any other games. Florent had seen a fellow French man in Anelka leave and he was surely on his way out as well.

2012/13 season, goodbye Andre.. hello Roberto! Di Matteo was finally given the job after a memorable Double (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, FA Cup). Malouda was told during the USA Tour, that he was surplus to the requirements and that he wasn't in Di Matteo's plans. Malouda was looking at clubs in France, Brazil and Italy, but a move was not completed before the window closed. Recently, Florent was sent to train with the U-21s and was not listed in our Champions League team. This practically mirrors the situation that Nicolas Anelka and Alex faced under Andre Villas-Boas. It's worth noting that they were both sold by the club. Anelka went to China & joined Shanghai Shenhua & Alex went to PSG.

In general, Florent Malouda was a great midfielder for the club and certainly was instrumental in our 2009/10 season. He wasn't one of our best midfielders ever, but is certainly in the good area of the spectrum. He looks on his way out and the fans that admire him will miss our French man. The ones who don't will be happy, I guess. However, it's a sad end to great Chelsea career.

Au Revoir, Florent.

Thanks,
#Ervin
#KTBFFH

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