Malouda ready to deliver in Europe

Chelsea’s rejuvenated winger Florent Malouda insists he never thought about quitting the club last summer.

Malouda failed to settle at Stamford Bridge in his debut season and was linked with a swift exit after joining the Blues from Lyon for £13.5m in July 2007.

Signed by former coach Jose Mourinho, the France international found himself out in the cold for much of the time under Avram Grant.

But Malouda has been a revelation under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari this season and the club’s fans have finally realised why he commanded such a big fee.

Now Malouda believes he is ready to really make his mark after scoring three goals this season and has shrugged off rumours he was unhappy during a summer of change.

“I never spoke about leaving,” Malouda said. “I’m someone who is really confident and calm and I stay focused on what I can do. I’ve always been like that.

“The most important thing is that, with all the injuries we have, the spirit is good.

“We have a group of quality players and you can see that in every game we have. Everybody is enjoying himself on the pitch. For me, that’s the case.

“This year I’m in the best form I’ve had here. Last year, I showed it sometimes but not every time.

“I was a player who was used to playing at that level as a regular (at Lyon), but last year I was up and down. Sometimes that happens in a career.

“I knew it was my first year here and, as I’ve always said, I signed a four-year deal, so I am here for that time.

“I have patience. I know there are injuries or loss of form in life and in your career. You have to work hard in training and have confidence in your ability to come through it all.

“Come May, when we have finals to play, I hope I can keep that form and win titles for Chelsea.”

Meanwhile, Scolari has rejected suggestions that captain John Terry will require surgery to cure a back problem.

The inclusion of Terry in the 5-0 win over Middlesbrough at the weekend is still the subject of some scrutiny.

The defender missed England’s two World Cup qualifying games against Kazakhstan and Belarus because of the problem but he had recovered in time to play just days later at the Riverside.

“He might have more specific exercises for this problem but I do not think it requires surgery,” said Scolari.

“He was not fit enough to play for the national team but after a period of rest he could play.”