Currently away on international duty with France, Florent Malouda gave his thoughts on the start of the season and his settling in period to chelseafc.com before he departed.

The winger's performances this season have seen him earn rave reviews, most recently against Aston Villa on Sunday, in which he played a part in both Chelsea goals, and in addition provided a number of goalscoring opportunities for team-mates.

Prior to the game, Malouda had called for an improvement in points returns at Stamford Bridge, having managed draws in the previous two home games. What followed was arguably Chelsea's best football of the season, with flowing pass and move football the flavour of the day.

This style, so easily adopted under the stewardship of Luiz Felipe Scolari, seems to suit the 28-year-old, who was seen popping up not just in his accustomed left-wing role, but also on the right and in the centre.

The freedom afforded him on the pitch, Malouda feels, comes from feeling liberated in the mind, a change brought about by the Brazilian.

When he arrived at the club, Scolari talked of wanting the Malouda he had seen play for Lyon prior to his arrival in SW6, and the player believes he is beginning to deliver.

'I think maybe he switched my mentality a little, to be free in my mind when I attack like I was at Lyon. When you arrive at a club like Chelsea you want to do more things and maybe not play on your qualities, to show everybody and prove yourself.

'This year I think that little change, to try to be good and play on my qualities, and then after the rest will come easily.'

The early signs are encouraging and Malouda, sat in the canteen at Cobham, seems in happy and relaxed mood, pleased with how the campaign is shaping up.

It is with good reason too. He has appeared in each of our 10 games this season, seven times a starter, which is a contrast to an injury-hit first season, which began with a knee injury in November 2007.

It was a problem that stayed with him, affecting confidence and performance for the rest of that campaign. Despite a return to match fitness in early January, he was in and out of the side, preferred frequently as a substitute or a more conservative choice than Salomon Kalou in Champions League away games.

With questions over his close friend Didier Drogba's future refusing to go away, so came speculation on whether Malouda's stay may be short-lived.

A matter of months on, and the answers are clear. Both Drogba, though curtailed by injury, and Malouda are both contented parts of the squad, and the message from the Frenchman is that he is only looking ahead.

'I feel very good, now I can say I am really back from injury because my knee is okay and I am really fit,' he smiles, speaking in fluent English.

'I am happy, I always wanted to play for this club and win something here. Last year was my first in England, I had to adapt and now I feel I am really integrated in this team, this club and I feel like I have always been here.

'I am really happy about my life in London, in Chelsea, and that's what I always wanted.'

Two goals have already been contributed, two-thirds of the way to last season's total, but still with room for improvement before he reaches the 25 league goals struck in 122 Lyon appearances. As well as goals, Malouda has other important targets he wants to hit.

'

Yes, it is always good to score goals, but it was in the Champions League and Carling Cup, now I would like to score in the league because I know it is really important for me.

'I won a lot of league titles in France and really want to win something in England. Chelsea were champions two times before I arrived and I want to win the Premier League again.'

As well as a change in culture, both on the pitch and off, there was also an increase in quality to contend with when he arrived on these shores, an opportunity not to be missed according to a former coach.

'Of course, when I came here I talked with Gerard Houllier and I had many clubs who wanted me, Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea, and I asked him a few questions about the English league,' he explains, with a nearby John Terry listening in.

'He told me if I have the opportunity to come here, don't hesitate because it was wonderful for him as a coach, and as a player it is something you have to do, so it was simple for me to decide because I have many friends at Chelsea, Didier, Claude Makelele and Michael Essien, so for me the choice was simple.'

There was also the prospect of being a contender at the very highest level in club football, having already featured in a World Cup final on the international stage.

'I knew if I came here I had a great chance to be near the European title. With Lyon I reached the quarter-finals at best, last year we reached the final and unfortunately lost,' he says, before outlining this season's aims. 'But this season we hope to do our best, to reach the final and this time win it.'

The state of football in his homeland is currently one of concern, with the national team suffering a loss in form and club sides failing to impose themselves on the European stage, yet Malouda urges patience rather than panic.

With regard to Lyon, Malouda sees a work in progress similar to Chelsea, and insists their time will come.

'Lyon is a very good club, they are trying to reduce the gap between the big European teams and them and the difference is that here in the league you have the big four and because all the teams started well, you can't afford to drop a point because you lose a position or two.

'The opposition in the French league is not the same for Lyon, which is why it's difficult. You can't compare because they are different leagues, Lyon work very well with their tools and I think one day they will arrive.

'They are young and developing, writing their history and trying to exist on their plan, a lot like Chelsea. When you see all the players in the squad you understand the difference, they are trying to get the best players in France and make them reach their best level, trying to win in Europe with that strategy.'

No timescale was placed on this passage to success, and this season, qualification for the knockout rounds would be an achievement when faced with Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and Steaua Bucharest in the groups.

Such low expectations are not the same for the national team, World champions 10 years ago, and European kings as recently as 2000.

Now ranked outside the world top 10, France are in need of a win after a surprise defeat in Austria last month. Malouda did not figure in that or the subsequent victory over Serbia, after some personal problems with coach Raymond Domenech.

Still in the squad, this round of fixtures takes Malouda back to Romania, ten days after there on Chelsea business.

'I hope this time I will play. Last time I went with the national team, there were a few problems with the manager and because of that I was in the stand and didn't play a minute,' he explains.

'So I was really frustrated when I came back and now this time I want to be on the pitch and give the best to qualify for the next World Cup.'

If his club form transfers itself to the national team, French fans will be looking forward to seeing the best of Malouda over the next two games, and Chelsea supporters will be wishing for his safe return.

By Andy Jones