Morning:
8°c
Florent Malouda today warned Chelsea team-mate Yury Zhirkov he is in the best form of his career and is ready to fight for his place.
Zhirkov, who joined Chelsea from CSKA Moscow for £18million in the summer, is challenging Malouda for his spot in the starting XI at Wigan tomorrow after finally recovering from a knee injury.
The 26-year-old (far right) impressed on debut against Queens Park Rangers in midweek ,playing behind Malouda at left-back, but has already admitted he would prefer to play in the French international's position at left midfield this term.
However, Malouda is determined to stay in the team and 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."
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.
