Can Malouda play in a new role? Try it, RDM!

Florent Malouda’s Chelsea career is almost over, no denying the fact. With Roberto Di Matteo choosing to play Bertrand, Ramires, Hazard, Mata and Moses in attacking positions, Malouda’s chances of playing in such positions are almost nil. Failing to secure a move in the summer by demanding exorbitant wages from all suitors, he is still stuck at Chelsea, and to make matters worse, he has sarcastically posted in Twitter about being asked to train with U 21′s. Expect to see Malouda offloaded in January.

I, for one, have not been impressed with the way he has been treated. Sure, he is ageing, and his best season at Chelsea (the double winning season under Ancelotti) is a thing of the past now. The most obvious solution in the summer was to terminate his contract when it was obvious that he will not get chances, but Chelsea didn’t, and I find it pathetic to hear that he has been banished from the first team squad altogether. But the fact remains that he is still a Chelsea player. If given an opportunity to call the shots, I would give him one last chance in a Blue shirt, but in a completely different role – that of one of the the pivots in the 4-2-3-1.

The temporary departure of Michael Essien and the untimely, unexpected and logic-defying sale of Raul Meireles leaves Chelsea with John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard and Oriol Romeu as the contenders for the two central positions in the 4-2-3-1 (Ramires must play centrally, and it is very surprising that he is being played out of position in a wide role). Assuming Ramires continues to play wide, Chelsea are a bit short of numbers in the central areas. We have not seen much of Oscar, but he should be part of the attacking trio. Josh McEachran has been loaned out, and Lucas Piazon may feature sporadically this season, again as an attacking midfielder. With just 3 players available in 2 positions, Malouda may provide adequate cover. He is ageing, losing pace and trickery, but as they say in football, when your body slows down, your thinking gets quicker. You can see the potential for a pass before anyone else does. Certainly he cannot play as an attacking midfielder, but he can surely sit back and break up opposition attacks, and play some short passes in the middle of the pitch and dictate the tempo. Mikel and Lampard will be the first choice pairing, but it is a long season anyway, and Malouda can expect to get some chances along with Romeu. If he succeeds, then who knows what the future may hold?

This is just an idea I got. But the reality is that he is going to be sold ASAP. Till then, why not try it out? What if the move works out for him? Will he stay then? Fingers crossed on RDM somehow managing to read this one and trying it out!