It was January 2010 before the Chelsea fans finally got to see the best of the France international, with his performances in the second half of that season proving to be the difference in the club regaining the Premier League crown from Manchester United.

A £13.5 million signing from Lyon, he began his career at Chateauroux in 1996 before moving on to Guingamp in 2000. His performances there earned a £4.2 million move to Lyon three years later where he won four consecutive Ligue 1 titles. Malouda was named the Player of the Season in Ligue 1 for 2006-07 prior to his move to Chelsea.

He became one of the highly-rated players in French football, winning his first full international cap on November 17, 2004, against Poland, but he will be forever linked with the French farce at the 2010 World Cup when he and the rest of the team refused to train prior to the final group game against hosts South Africa.

Strengths: A left-footed attacking midfielder who is both technically gifted and physically strong, the left winger can also play in the middle and has also acted as a left back.

Weaknesses: He has never been able to maintain his form and age appears to have caught up with him.

Career high: Winning the Premier League and FA Cup double, and being named the Chelsea Players' Player of the Year in 2010.

Career low: Falling out with France coach Raymond Domenech and being part of the disgraced squad at the 2010 World Cup.

Style: Fast and direct with great delivery.

Quotes: ''Everybody recognises his talent now. It has been difficult for him to change leagues and also he had quite a few injuries at first but every time he has played this season he was good. He is not the type of player who will do many skills but he is really efficient, with simple touches, passes, assists, and he is clever. He reads the game well and that is the kind of player we need in our squad.'' Didier Drogba, April 2010.

Trivia: Malouda's younger brother Lesly is also a professional footballer.