REPOST: MALOUDA - His best season. Did it mean the end for Joe Cole?

There is one person who has been forgotten in recent weeks as the continued speculation regarding the future of Joe Cole is filling papers day-in, day-out and thats Florent Malouda. Its the form of Malouda and his contribution to the side as a whole this season that has forced Ancelotti's hand this and maybe just maybe, has forced the hand of the club as they negotiated Joe Cole's contract.

Malouda by his own admission, took a while to settle in the Premier League. He was signed by Jose Mourinho and the intention was to play him in tandem with Arjen Robben but once Jose left the club and Avram Grant stepped in, Malouda found himself playing second fiddle to Kalou for the remainder of the season. Malouda finished that season with 37 appearances scoring three goals.

Malouda's second season at Chelsea started under his third manager in two seasons as "Big Phil Scolari" joined Chelsea. Malouda began to show signs of his quality and found himself much more involved in the first team. He was playing regularly and his form picked up. Scolari was sacked as we all know at the turn of the year and Guus Hiddink came to the club.

It was under Guus that Malouda really found his feet and was a major part of our unbeaten run that re-established the club in the top 3 and took us to FA Cup Final glory. Malouda finished his second season having played 47 games and scoring 9 goals.

It was this past season that we have seen without question the best of Florent Malouda. Malouda reported for pre-season training under his fifth different manager at the club in Carlo Ancelotti. Malouda started this season as part of Ancelotti's 4-diamond-2 formation and you can say what you like about the formation, Malouda remained consistant and provided a natural balance down the left hand side.

In the diamond formation Malouda really florished as he found himself playing more towards the middle of the pitch rather than wide left. He became much more involved in our build up play and posed much more of an attacking threat. He was providing assists, scoring goals and was now one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ancelotti made the switch in formations and reverted back to the 4-3-3 the players felt comfortable with. As a result Malouda either found himself in the middle of the pitch next to Lampard or up front next to Drogba and Anelka and once again proved to be one of our most consistant performers wherever he was deployed on the pitch.

Malouda made a massive contribution to our double success. This season he played 50 games and scored 15 goals, his best return for Chelsea so far. He really has found his feet and the Chelsea faithful realise exactly how good he is. This season was his first title success at Chelsea and his second FA Cup.

Its Malouda's form that really has given the club a major headache. Malouda does the job Joe Cole used to. He provides natural width down the left and his link up play with Ashley Cole is fantastic. He can pick a pass and open the door to defences from out wide or inside and has been a thorn in the side of many Premier League teams this season. Joe Cole once back from injury couldn't force his way back into the starting eleven because of Malouda.

I have no doubt that Malouda will continue to be an integral part of Chelsea's future success' as I believe there will be. He will also be a key figure in the fortunes of the French at the World Cup and will prove to the worldwide audience just how good he is.

So remember WE'VE GOT MALOUDA!

CAREFREE & KTBFFH!