I guess it's about that time. Has he done enough to erase the memory of the bad performances pre-Hiddink? Does he deserve a spot in the team next season?

I was very anti-Malouda. Most of the time I felt he was trying hard, but he just wasn't good enough. Nowadays he is trying hard, and has found some form to go with it.

So for me I think it depends mostly on what happens in the off season, manager-wise and personnel-wise. I see no reason to get rid of one of few left footed players who has shown he has the ability to play well if we aren't going to get someone better. But Yuri Zhirkov should probably force him out.

If he keeps on playing like this, then i am happy to keep him, think he has improved immensely under Hiddink

I agree that he has shown a bit of form (finally) and I also think he is working far harder at tracking back and supporting the left back AND he isn't surrendering possession nearly as easily as he used to.

However he, for me, still isn't the sort of winger that strikers fear into full backs and he doesn't make enough use of the full width of the pitch for my liking.

So for me we should still be looking to replace him however we must no make the same mistake we made when we let SWP go. He should only be sold once we have got a replacement already signed.

I agree that he has shown a bit of form (finally) and I also think he is working far harder at tracking back and supporting the left back AND he isn't surrendering possession nearly as easily as he used to.

However he, for me, still isn't the sort of winger that strikers fear into full backs and he doesn't make enough use of the full width of the pitch for my liking.

So for me we should still be looking to replace him however we must no make the same mistake we made when we let SWP go. He should only be sold once we have got a replacement already signed.

i still dont think hes a winger. he looks more like a second striker to me and i think his best position could be playing of drogba.

good again today.

but too little, too late, and still too pedestrian.

we need players with the quality to rival the likes of rooney, ronaldo, kaka etc...

he's been good lately, but he won't ever be good enough. his recent form puts him at about park ji sung's level.

I still think it's a case of people being so shocked that Malouda is no longer dreadful, that he is credited with playing better than he is.

He has improved lately, but I think we need to get rid and sign a more dangerous, reliable winger.

I would be happy with Malouda as 4th choice, (Joe Cole + ???? + Stoch + Malouda -in that order) of our wide players next season. Kalou is obviously not cut out for the position, if he cant play up front for us he should move on.

Certainly played well today but not as a winger, more your old-fashioned inside left. In fact it's since he's been deployed in that role he's started to play better and more significantly for me has begun to show his physical strength which was nowhere to be seen in the Malouda of old.

If he plays consistently like he has done in the last two months or so, I'd pick him over Joe Cole.

there is not a single aspect of his game that joe cole isn't better at though.

there is not a single aspect of his game that joe cole isn't better at though.

Malouda is a better crosser of the ball, don't you think?

Malouda is a better crosser of the ball, don't you think?

From the left? Yes. In general? Not so sure.

Malouda takes better corners.

Malouda takes better throw-ins (I know, nobody seems to care about this skill).

Edited May 2, 200916 yr by Phillip

I would pick Joey over Malouda any day

there is not a single aspect of his game that joe cole isn't better at though.

Consistency?

You can't say Malouda isn't consistent. He was consistently terrible for two seasons, then consistently excellent for two months. :P

excellent for two months. :P

Excellent is hardly the right word to use, satisfactory would be more suitable.

If he plays consistently like he has done in the last two months or so, I'd pick him over Joe Cole.

I agree entirely, Joey needs to fight for his place - might bring out the best in both of them

I'm delighted and relieved to see Malouda finally showing what he can do. I remember him being a tremendous player in the French league and for the French national team and thought, at the time, that he'd be a great signing. Sadly, he has been far from that, until recently.

He was interviewed on Chelsea tv the other day and said he had been struggling for fitness and confidence, which may partly explain his poor form prior to Hiddinck's arrival. But now he's well worh his place in the team and for me he should definitely stay next season.

As far as previous posters comments I would say:

1) Finding a better winger won't be easy. We never really replaced Robben, but who is available? Ribery? Yes he's be better but is more likely to go to Spain. Who else that we can realistically hope to sign? We may end up with another player who will take at least a season to settle in.

2) Ah Joe Cole... Yes a great player at his best, but how long ago was he at his best? He wasn't playing well prior to his injury. But Chelsea fans certainly see him through f**kin thick rose coloured spectacles.

I never saw a player get so much undeserved playing time both pre-Hiddink and well into Guus' reign. I don't know what it was. Maybe Malouda washes the managers cars and takes their dogs for walks.

Lately though he's been earning it. I'm just still a little bitter about how much time was wasted with him out on the left wing earlier in the year, but if he can keep this up and we get silverware in the process...it will be all worth it.

1) Finding a better winger won't be easy. We never really replaced Robben, but who is available? Ribery? Yes he's be better but is more likely to go to Spain. Who else that we can realistically hope to sign? We may end up with another player who will take at least a season to settle in.

That, for me, is the crux of the matter. There is a serious dearth of quality wingers in football just now and whilst we can point to the weaknesses in Malouda's game it is not easy to identify credible replacements. People may suggest the likes of messi, Ribery and Robben however Messi is going nowhere, Ribery, by most accounts, is all but signed for Barca and a return for Robben seems very unlikely.

I would actually say that the fact that Ribery is considered a prize catch emphasises the fact that top quality wingers are in short supply. Ribery is good, probably very good, but I don't think he is outstanding however just now the price tag on his head is £30m (give or take).

I don't want us buying 'good' wingers. If we can't negotiate a deal for genuine quality then I would much rather see us concentrate on developing the likes of Stoch and Kakuta.

I don't want us buying 'good' wingers. If we can't negotiate a deal for genuine quality then I would much rather see us concentrate on developing the likes of Stoch and Kakuta.

Indeed. And to be honest, we should be doing that anyway. There have been a number of matches this season that were perfect opportunities for Stoch to get at least a good half hour run out. Kakuta of course is out of action at the moment, but even throwing Di Santo out on the wing in place of Anelka or Malouda for the last 20 wouldn't hurt.

I hate the fact that those Carling Cup matches came and went without much youth being involved...but that of course is a large can of Brazilian worms that I won't open completely.

Edited May 2, 200916 yr by Blue Celery

..but that of course is a large can of Brazilian worms that I won't open completely.

True but it also has to be said that Hiddink has also largely ignored any opportunity to give Stoch playing time.

True but it also has to be said that Hiddink has also largely ignored any opportunity to give Stoch playing time.

Yep. Even after Guus had said in an interview that he was up for using youth in an early interview.

Credit to Malouda for really stepping up his game. When I first heard we wanted to sign him, I was ecstatic because I regarded him as one of the best left wingers in the world. At his time at Lyon, he really was a lethal left winger with pace, the ability to run through full backs and a good cross on him. I just don't think the English game (despite the fact that he's had 2 seasons to get used to it) is right for him. A move to any other league, I feel will see him once again make him a feared winger. I don't really see Ancelotti (I wrote that completely by accident, but I guess I've resigned to the fact that he'll probably be managing us next year) getting the best out of him like Hiddink has, but who knows.

I think replacing Malouda should still be considered with us targeting players like: David Silva, Juan Manuel Mata, Yuri Zhirkov or even Ashley Young. Or what about Stewart Downing?!?!!!??

Don't care what anyone says, Hiddink has nothing to do with Malouda's recent form.

Why is Malouda playing good? one reason and one reason only... his new hair cut. Have you actually seen it?! he has too be confident on the ball with that barnet!