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Florent Malouda today urged his team-mates to bounce back from their Champions League exit by winning the domestic Double.
Chelsea crashed out at the last-16 stage for only the second time in their history when Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to secure a 3-1 triumph on aggregate.
Their season is now in danger of falling apart with Manchester United two points clear in the title race and Arsenal only trailing their London rivals on goal difference.
However, Chelsea face Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley next month and Malouda is adamant they must not allow the despondency to affect their Double bid.
He said: “I think we are all disappointed and it was a difficult night for us. Now it's over we have to think about the League. We had to be stronger than that to go through. I think we failed against Inter, we have to analyse this and think about the future.
“The best way to bounce back is to win the Championship. We have quality but we have to show it. It's going to be difficult but we're lucky because we're still in a good position in the League and the FA Cup.
“We have to think about the way we reacted after the defeat to Barcelona last season and do the same because it can still be a wonderful season. We have to stay positive. It's not easy when you lose, especially if you do so at home.
“We have to stay strong and we are all behind the manager. We didn't use the potential of this squad but that's life.”
Meanwhile, the winger's midfield colleague Michael Ballack today confirmed that he is in talks over a new contract but hinted a new deal is a long way from being agreed. Ballack, 33, is believed to have been offered a one-year extension on half his current salary of £130,000 a week.
The Germany captain, whose present deal expires in the summer, wants to see out his career at Chelsea but appears to be suggesting the club aren't quite so enthusiastic.
He said: “Of course I want to stay but there is another side — we will see.”
Reader views (8)
o my god, what shall we do now, the world is ending, chelsea is outta the champs leauge, run for the hills says i, nah not realy, lets all throw a street party and invite inter along for they have shown us what this chelsea team are all about, greed and no repect for others around them, welldone inter best team by far, onwards and downwards.
- John, antrim, n,ireland, 17/03/2010 21:32
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As a Chelsea fan I really do wish players and staff would just keep it shut. Comments like doing the double will 99% of the time come back to haunt you.
- Lance Johnson, Canterbury, Kent, 17/03/2010 16:15
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hahahahaha ..... oops sorry I thought that was a joke by Malouda.
- Tony C, London, 17/03/2010 15:18
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Sorry, all the bullying tactics Chelsea uses on fellow Premier League players did not work. The bullying tricks don't work in Europe. Do they?
- Daph Walker, London, 17/03/2010 15:13
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Jimmy London
Yes I am a True Blue, but no I am not a Drogba apologist.
However, when you saw the dirty tricks that Drogba had to put up with is it any wonder that he retaliated? Anyway, I watched the game, and (wengerish) didn't see what Drogba actually did to get sent off. Did you?
How come we didn't get at least two penalties? If you grab someone around the neck and pull them over outside the box, it's a foul and a booking. Why not inside the box?
- Ronnie, what used to be England, 17/03/2010 15:12
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The Chelsea thuggish duo disgrace themselves yet again. Terry once again giving us proof if proof was needed of what a thoroughly obnoxious lout he is. Imagine that type of behaviour if England were to beaten in the world cup. Thank God Capello had the sense to get rid of him as England captain. Why has it to be Terry and Drogba who always disgrace the club. If Lampard and the rest of the team can behave in a sporting way, why can't they?
- Jimmy, london England, 17/03/2010 14:01
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I think yesterday's game proved that Ballack is not even worth half of his current salary. He has been the weak link in our midfield for the past 2 seasons and if you watch him closely it is unbelievable to see how many times he gives the ball away when pressed by the opposition. We have to change things in midfield to bring in creation and speed and this is something that he has neither of. Cheerio and thanks for nothing over the last 3 years
- Neil, herts, 17/03/2010 13:42
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2 points behind yes but you missed out we have a game in hand
onwards and upwards
- Paul, Ealing, 17/03/2010 13:23
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