Who's this #15, and what has he done with Malouda!?

[I-Got-The-BLUES]

No comments from the one named nicephoras :cool: ;)

But who is this #15 characted we have playing on the left wing?
Today (against Blackburn), he easilly could've pulled a hat-trick, and for the past few games he has been INCREDIBLE.
Against Liverpool in the Champions League he was stellar, if it wasn't for Ivanovic, he would've been MOTM. Against Barca, especially in the second leg, he was particularly dangerous. And just in general since Hiddink to the helm, this #15 character has been showing up on the pitch.
Previously all he was good for was losing possession, killing build ups, and being caught from behind, but now, he's a threat........FOR US, not against us!!!!!!

I don't know if he's just regained his form, or Hiddink brought out something that Grant or Scolari couldn't find, or maybe it's the new hair style? But whatever it is, I like it.

Since the middle of last season, I was strong in calling for Malouda to be on the first plane out, as a matter of fact, I've thought he was garbage since WC'06. But now, I errrr....kinda want him to stay.
I'm pretty high on Kalou, but this Malouda v.1.5 has definitely pleased me.
I guess it's not likely that Drogba will stay, but today showed how dangerous these 3 (#15, Anelka, Drogs) can be up top. If we can get a player close to the mold of Drogba to group with Anelka and Malouda, we can be quite dangerous, as long as Malouda keeps this form.

So are you guys confident going into the FA Cup finals and onto next year with Malouda holding down the left flank? Or are the majority still wanting him shipped off and replaced?

[Cris 09]

No comments from the one named nicephoras :cool: ;)

But who is this #15 characted we have playing on the left wing?
Today (against Blackburn), he easilly could've pulled a hat-trick, and for the past few games he has been INCREDIBLE.
Against Liverpool in the Champions League he was stellar, if it wasn't for Ivanovic, he would've been MOTM. Against Barca, especially in the second leg, he was particularly dangerous. And just in general since Hiddink to the helm, this #15 character has been showing up on the pitch.
Previously all he was good for was losing possession, killing build ups, and being caught from behind, but now, he's a threat........FOR US, not against us!!!!!!

I don't know if he's just regained his form, or Hiddink brought out something that Grant or Scolari couldn't find, or maybe it's the new hair style? But whatever it is, I like it.

Since the middle of last season, I was strong in calling for Malouda to be on the first plane out, as a matter of fact, I've thought he was garbage since WC'06. But now, I errrr....kinda want him to stay.
I'm pretty high on Kalou, but this Malouda v.1.5 has definitely pleased me.
I guess it's not likely that Drogba will stay, but today showed how dangerous these 3 (#15, Anelka, Drogs) can be up top. If we can get a player close to the mold of Drogba to group with Anelka and Malouda, we can be quite dangerous, as long as Malouda keeps this form.

So are you guys confident going into the FA Cup finals and onto next year with Malouda holding down the left flank? Or are the majority still wanting him shipped off and replaced?

I just said this on the match day thread. If Guus leaves, Malouda can go too.

[Dear_Claudio]

I am one of Flo's biggest detractors. However, I have some possible reasons as to this sudden change. The 07/08 season could well be down to Malouda adjusting to the league. As the OP said, he was always getting caught in possession and taking too long to make decisions. Taking that into account, it's no surprise he'd look so bloody useless against some shit bottom half team and then put in a decent shift in the Champions League: totally different games. Anyway... I can put down that first dismal season to adjustment and the whole Mourinho/Grant debacle.

On to this season. Malouda is in no way a Scolari player. We would aimlessly pass the ball around for 90 minutes under LFS. Malouda is an extremely direct player. He wants to get the ball to the byline and into the box. Hardly anyone played well under Scolari, and everyone had all but lost hope on Malouda. The biggest problem under Scolari, IMO, was the lax training and total lack of fitness in the squad. Once Hiddink came in we started playing so much more direct, but still with quality play, and at a high tempo.

A super-fit Malouda (he bossed Dani Alves up and down the wing) is certainly useful. He's never going to be that nimble winger, dancing around and creating magic. However, he has an eye for goal and a good left peg. He tracks back very well and links up with Ash and Lamps especially. He's a better player than, say, Park for ManUre and has a great work rate. Never thought I'd say this but, in his current form, he's a useful player to have around in a squad almost totally void of left-footers. Joey and a nice new signing with Malouda and Kalou (and Stoch) in reserve is quite a good core of wide players.

[nicephoras]

No comments from the one named nicephoras :cool: ;)

I have no idea what you're talking about. :)

[yasik19]

Keep him as a squad player.

[blackjack]

I'd be in favor of keeping him around as a third/fourth winger, but I'd prefer a faster, more dynamic, more aggressive left-footed winger be brought in and given a chance as well.

Next season's wingers, if I ran the club:

Joey
Player X (Silva? Young?)
Malouda
Stoch
Kalou

[okocha1]

I'd be in favor of keeping him around as a third/fourth winger, but I'd prefer a faster, more dynamic, more aggressive left-footed winger be brought in and given a chance as well.

Next season's wingers, if I ran the club:

Player X (Silva? Young?)


Mesut Ozil? Ben Arfa? Dembele? Kakuta?

[Cris 09]

Mesut Ozil? Ben Arfa? Dembele? Kakuta?
Ozil is not a "true" winger at Bremen, though his dynamic allows him to apears to be so. He playes well on the flanks because they play a diamond system and has Diego on the top. Since Diego has been out - he has taken that central role, and doing very well. My guess is if Diego leaves, he will retain that spot and marin will play his old position.

[Randy36]

For Chelsea, Malouda has never been better than he is at present. His first touch is very good, he is taking on defenders and is really going forward with an eye for the goal. Today he scored the first goal, created two excellent chances for others and his passing was spot on.

Chalk it all down to Hiddink's influence on him.

[Lamps>Gerrard]

I just said this on the match day thread. If Guus leaves, Malouda can go too.

That's sorta silly, I don't think Guus is the one who allowed him to launch in a bullet header from 16 yards. Why get rid of a player who's totally on form, and seems to have finally adjusted to the league?

[fernb8]

That's sorta silly, I don't think Guus is the one who allowed him to launch in a bullet header from 16 yards. Why get rid of a player who's totally on form, and seems to have finally adjusted to the league?

would the question be Malouda adjusting to the League or Hiddink being able to deploy him properly to achieve this success?

No offence but Malouda fell largely flat under 3 other managers so I am slightly concerned that that Guus effect may wear off when Mr. Hiddink is no longer our manager.

[Cris 09]

would the question be Malouda adjusting to the League or Hiddink being able to deploy him properly to achieve this success?

No offence but Malouda fell largely flat under 3 other managers so I am slightly concerned that that Guus effect may wear off when Mr. Hiddink is no longer our manager.
My thoughts exactly...thanks.

[scabdirisaq]

From the consitency of his performances, I am starting to beliewve that he actually ADAPTED to English football and the premier league finally. If it was just the gaffer, you would have seen a small dip performances between big games but this guy is turning into a beast every game.


I hope we keep him for next year.

[Cris 09]

From the consitency of his performances, I am starting to beliewve that he actually ADAPTED to English football and the premier league finally. If it was just the gaffer, you would have seen a small dip performances between big games but this guy is turning into a beast every game.


I hope we keep him for next year.

I don't disagree with your value for him nor that he had not adapted over the last few years but watching almost every Chelsea match this season and having seen Scolari leave a disorganized and down team to Guus, I don't believe Malouda's perfomance improved because he adapted overnight, in a night that just happened to coincide with Scolari leaving...and Guus coming in as manager.

In otherwords...I give more credit to Guus than to "adaptation" to the PL to Malouda's improvement - and therefore think it has a very good chance of regressing once we get a new manager. As a matter of fact, I'm betting on it, as much as I do not like to.

[Ben7021]

I actually though Malouda looked pretty decent in his short time under Mourinho for whatever its worth.

[Cris 09]

I actually though Malouda looked pretty decent in his short time under Mourinho for whatever its worth.
Chelsea is not a team that can complete it's goals with "decent'.

[Ben7021]

Chelsea is not a team that can complete it's goals with "decent'.

Ok, pretty good if we are going to talk semantics. Not saying he should stay just because of that, but I'm not sure it's accurate to say he was poor under 3 managers as I thought he did well under Jose, although its hard to say as there was such a short sample size for that.

[Cris 09]

Ok, pretty good if we are going to talk semantics. Not saying he should stay just because of that, but I'm not sure it's accurate to say he was poor under 3 managers as I thought he did well under Jose, although its hard to say as there was such a short sample size for that.
If he wasn't poor, I would say he certainly was below decent....other than possibly the time you mentioned, to give you the benefit of the doubt.

I'm sorry man, I just think we need someone better here....even as a bench player.

[Ben7021]

If he wasn't poor, I would say he certainly was below decent....other than possibly the time you mentioned, to give you the benefit of the doubt.

I'm sorry man, I just think we need someone better here....even as a bench player.

I never said that meant he should stay, I just think he should at least get the credit he does deserve. He has played well under our two good managers and poorly under our two bad managers. Thats all.

[Blue Celery]

I never said that meant he should stay, I just think he should at least get the credit he does deserve. He has played well under our two good managers and poorly under our two bad managers. Thats all.

Other than coming on strong against Birmingham in that opener two seasons back, I don't remember Malouda playing well at all.

He's played poorly under all 4 managers.