Jet-set Malouda aiming to take Chelsea higher

Yesterday, Malouda flew from London to Los Angeles to join his new Chelsea team-mates after completing a £13.5million move from Lyon.

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The time in between has been spent determinedly building his reputation and even when he was dubbed 'Florent Maladroit' by supporters for his perceived clumsiness in front of goal, his resolve did not crack.

His rapid progress was a major reason why Robert Pires' international career ended in 2004, but Malouda has really flourished since last year's World Cup.

Chelsea have bought a mature player who is strong, quick and capable of beating defenders. Recently he has played as an orthodox left winger for Lyon and France, but he can also play free, roaming behind two strikers.

Jose Mourinho, a great advocate of versatile players and flexible formations, will see Malouda as the key to two midfield options because he can play at the attacking tip of a diamond or on the left of a flat four.

Intriguingly, during three successful seasons at Guingamp, he operated successfully as a 'second striker' — often in tandem with Didier Drogba, who was instrumental in his move to Stamford Bridge.

Despite Chelsea's assurances to the contrary, Malouda's arrival can only increase uncertainty about the future of Arjen Robben who is a top target for Real Madrid.

Robben and Malouda offer similar talents but Mourinho remains unconvinced by the Dutchman's work-rate and the amount of injuries he sustains.

Gerard Houllier, Malouda's former manager at Lyon, said of the winger: "He has two extremely important qualities besides his physical, technical and tactical weapons. He is intelligent and filled with determination. He is intelligent because he is capable of analysing the flaws in his game and his relationship to the team. And he is a winner, a competitor in the soul."

These were among the attributes to catch the eye of Joseph Mercier, coach of the French military team, who spotted Malouda in Cayenne and recommended him to friends at Chateauroux, who invited the teenager to join their academy.

But Malouda was inspired to follow his dream of becoming a professional footballer when former France goalkeeper Bernard Lama — who grew up in Cayenne and is a hero to French Guianese football lovers — made a return visit to the city.

"Until then, I had the impression that the televised matches from the great international competitions like the World Cup were on another planet," recalled Malouda.

Chateauroux director Bruno Allegre remembers when the youngster arrived after his 5,000-mile journey from his South American home. "He was very serious and hard working," said Allegre.

Malouda, now 27, has never forgotten Chateauroux and returns to the club each year to help coach local children in their school holidays.

Malouda credits Guingamp manager Guy Lacombe with "filling the gaps" in his technical, tactical and physical development before his £4.3m move to Lyon in 2003.

His France debut came a year later against Poland but he really grew in stature in Germany last summer.

Omitted from the first game, he forced his way into Raymond Domenech's team and was a permanent fixture all the way to the final, where he played 120 minutes and won the penalty scored by Zinedine Zidane to give France the lead.

Malouda came home and enjoyed his best individual season, winning his fourth title at the Stade Gerland and collecting France's Player of the Year award.

He was in London yesterday to undergo a medical and finalise the personal arrangements of his move.

"Chelsea were my No 1 choice for many reasons," said Malouda. "Didier pushed for me a little, even a lot. There was also a coach who really wanted me and the kind of football they play suits me."

His first Chelsea appearance could be in Saturday's friendly against Mexican side Club America in San Jose.