malouda is the first to break ranks and start to moan

[abramovich]

Whatever Malouda said or didn't say, I was always a strong believer that Zhirkov at his best will make Florent look like a permanent backup. It's good to have different options and Malouda is a quality player with loads of experience but he just doesn't have that something extra that makes a difference in tight games, he's a safe option, kind of like a left winger version of Paulo Ferreira - reliable and simple, but nothing special.

If Zhirkov is given a run of games in advanced position on the left and will feel he has Ancelotti's and teammates' considence he'll shine like a true star. He just needs to play ,plain and simple.

Once the manager and teammates figure out how to use him to a maximum effect, our attacking game will improve by a solid margin.

 

[ozboy]

he's doing okay...no more, no less...shows flashes of old self, but not for 90 mins

That's my view of Joe precisely. Except that he was never a 90 minute player. His form is improving but not yet to the point where he scoring goals or even looking like it. Certainly can't play at the top of the diamond if you don't get some goals. Hopefully in the next month he'll get to full potential.

Regarding Malouda he has always been up and down form wise, a good player though and as usual under rated by people on these forums who expect everyone to be super star every time they go out. As said by many the formation does squeeze Malouda out a bit.

Lampard's form has dropped quite noticeably this season and in my view he could be rested for the occasional game. Lampard though, along with Terry, does represent the essential spirit of this Chelsea team so he is going to get cut quite a lot of slack.

 

[Guest]

If I were a footballer I'd be so tempted to mouth off all kinds of weird sh*t to the press for my own entertainment. Not saying Malouda did or didn't, but I'd certainly enjoy throwing the journalists all kinds of silly crap.