Chelsea winger Florent Malouda insists that he never considered leaving Stamford Bridge over the summer.

The French international endured a difficult first season at Chelsea last season following his big-money arrival from Lyon.

Malouda was linked with a possible move away from Chelsea in the summer, but the 28-year-old insists he is happy in West London.

"Last season was weird because I started well, there were changes in the team and I was injured in November and December," said Malouda.

"I came back, played a lot and then didn't play. But I never thought about leaving because I came here and signed a four-year deal.

"I came here to stay and try to reach level where I'm in the team and have an importance in the team.

Happy

"I worked hard for this. I'm really happy in Chelsea and have the confidence of the lads, the board and everybody."

Malouda puts his improved form this season down to the impact of new coach

Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"I prepared really hard for this season. Last season, sometimes I was playing, sometimes I was not," added Malouda. "I had my first bad year. I knew when I came to England that the first year would be difficult.

"When the new coach arrived he told me he wanted to help me get back to my best level. That is what you are seeing now. I hope the best is to come.

"He [Scolari] knew me before he came to Chelsea.

"He tried to use my qualities, to go back to simple things. With this work every day in training, the confidence has gone up.

"With confidence you can try things and be free in your mind. He wants me to be free in my mind because when you change to a new country you have to clear your mind to express yourself on the pitch. That is why most of the foreign players, when they come here, it is difficult.

"I'm really enjoying myself on the pitch. We have the results and we are doing our best to please the fans. We had the result but looked at Liverpool's win - we know this season it will be really difficult."

Praise

Meanwhile, Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has praised Branislav Ivanovic following his impressive Premier League debut against Aston Villa on Sunday.

"People have been talking since he joined the club about what sort of player he is to have been here for such a long time and not played yet," Cech said.

"But he had a great game against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup, for me it was the best performance on that day, and this time he played as our inside defender and you can see the quality he has.

"So he has had to wait for his chance but he deserved that chance."