Frank Lampard gets more credit than he deserves, says Florent Malouda

Posted Sunday, January 03, 2010 by theguardian.com

Frank Lampard gets more credit than he deserves, says Florent Malouda
Florent Malouda (left) says Frank Lampard (right) is getting more credit than he deserves for his Chelsea performances. Photograph: Action Images

Chelsea's Florent Malouda believes Frank Lampard is getting more credit than his performances deserve and says he is frustrated at Stamford Bridge playing second fiddle to the England midfielder. Malouda said that Lampard's status at the club is enhanced by his role as a leading England player in a World Cup year. "It's his position in the national team," said the France winger. "He plays like that in the England team, and we are in a World Cup year. But at a certain point, the status has to be in relation with the performances."

Malouda has made nine Premier League starts this season and has had talks with manager Carlo Ancelotti about his discontent. He believes Chelsea would not be willing to let him go but insists he will push for a departure if things remain the same.

"Before the match against Birmingham, I talked to the coach to tell him about my frustration," he told L'Equipe. "The frustration is above all for the big games. I'm ready to look elsewhere. Finding another club is not a problem. But the club has closed the door to any departure, whether it be in January or in June. The coach is counting on me. We'll see from now until the end of the season."

At the end of last season Malouda was linked with a move to AC Milan or Barcelona, but the 29-year-old signed a new contract in the summer, tying him to the Blues until 2013.