‘It was a difficult experience for me, but I don’t regret it! former Chelsea player reveals ‘harsh treatment’ from Chelsea board
It was harsh on a player who had just helped the club win the Champions League the previous season. He had contributed significantly to five major trophies in six years at Stamford Bridge.
However, former Chelsea star Florent Malouda, a member of the Chelsea team that won our first Champions League trophy in 2012, has revealed he holds no grudges about the way it ended for him at Chelsea.
After entering the final year of his contract and being deemed surplus to requirements by then Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo, the Chelsea board unsuccessfully tried to move him on that summer and he was left to train with the Under 21s for the entirety of his farewell season.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Malouda said: “I must say it’s not something you prepare for. I’d just won the Champions League and then I spent a year with the Under-21s without being able to even play.
“But I don’t have any regrets because it had to happen like that. I think that’s also part of my Chelsea career, so I’m not ashamed of it.
“It was a difficult experience for me, but I think I have mutual respect with the board, with Marina [Granovskaia], with the owner, and really there’s no bad feelings. The last time I came back to Chelsea, I was welcomed.
“Looking forward, the doors are open, we have a good relationship, we are still in contact and I am still a Chelsea fan.”