Florent Malouda tells Yuri Zhirkov: You'll have a job taking my Chelsea place

25 September 2009 11:57
Florent Malouda believes Yuri Zhirkov has a fight on his hands if he is to wrest the Chelsea left-wing slot from the Frenchman. Malouda, 26, claims he is in the form of his life and it would take a mammoth effort from the £18m man to consign him to the bench. Yuri Zhirkov Wing man: Chelsea's Yuri Zhirkov Florent Malouda In possession: Left wing man Florent Malouda Zhirkov, who joined Chelsea from CSKA Moscow in the summer, is challenging Malouda for his spot in the starting XI at Wigan on Saturday after finally recovering from a knee injury. The 26-year-old sparkled at left-back on his debut against QPR but has already admitted he would prefer to play in the French international's position at left midfield this term. But Malouda said: 'Every player who joins Chelsea knows there will be competition. 'When you have ambitions to go far in every competition you must have a strong squad so there is naturally competition and everybody is ready for that. 'That's our job and we train hard to prove to the manager we deserve to play and to make sure we stay in the team. Last season I was performing really well. I had a stronger season so I'm still progressing and I'm close to my highest level.' Drogba Anelka Deadly duo: Florent Malouda believes the presence of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka on Chelsea's team sheet strikes fear into their opponents Chelsea travel to Wigan as the only side in the Premier League with a 100 per cent record and Malouda feels the club owe it all to strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. The front duo have been in superb form this season, scoring seven goals between them in the six League games. Malouda believes many of Chelsea's opponents are beaten before kick-off when they see the strikers' names on the team-sheet. He said: 'I would say if you are an opponent and you see Didier and Nicolas are playing against you, you won't feel comfortable. 'When they are confident, there is danger all the time for the opposition. 'And it helps us if the other team focuses too much on those two players as it will create space for the others. 'We have a strong midfield so when you have the pace of Nicolas with the power of Didier, it's good. 'Didier likes those moments when it's really tight, there's tension and an electric atmosphere.' Chelsea have also shown on two occasions against Hull and Stoke that they can leave it until the last minute to secure all three points and Malouda added: 'It's because we have a wonderful spirit. Sometimes the game doesn't start well, but we still believe in winning.' Midfielder Deco could return to the squad after recovering from a calf problem.

Source: Daily_Mail