Florent Malouda says Chelsea are no longer intimidating
Chelsea attacker Florent Malouda has claimed that the English Premier League champions no longer carry the same aura of intimidation after a series of poor results.
The Stamford Bridge side have lost three of their last four league games, against Birmingham City, Sunderland and Liverpool, and have lost their lead at the top of the EPL table. Manchester United trail only on goal difference and Arsenal and Manchester
City are both within three points of the leaders.
The Blues also struggled to win against Slovakian side MSK Zilina in a UEFA Champions League group stage match at home on Tuesday 23 November. Carlo Ancelotti's men were 1-0 down at half-time and needed goals by Daniel Sturridge, who scored six minutes after
the interval, and Malouda in the 86th minute to see off their opponents after a poor first-half performance.
The poor results come at a time where the club are missing the likes of captain John Terry, stalwart midfielder Frank Lampard and Michael Essien due to injury and suspension, while the club also dismissed assistant manager Ray Wilkins.
As a result of recent events, Malouda believes that Chelsea have lost their “fear factor”.
He told the London Evening Standard: "Have we lost the fear factor? Yes. Maybe teams have more confidence when they come (to Stamford Bridge).
"Right now we have so many injuries and it's more difficult for us physically and mentally. It's a period of the season where the games are more difficult. You can recover better after a win, though, which is why I'm so happy we beat Zilina. This is the
moment when players have to come in and show their quality."
The Blues will next face Newcastle United away at St James' Park on Sunday 28 November, just over two months after the Magpies humbled them 4-3 at home in the Football League Cup.
Tags: