Florent Malouda's happy to carry on grafting

Florent Malouda is happy continuing to do the "dirty work" for Chelsea as they aim to give interim manager Guus Hiddink a fitting send off.

The France winger has been one of the most consistent performers since the arrival of the Dutchman in February, which saw the Blues get their campaign back on track and come within touching distance of the Champions League final.

Hiddink's temporary tenure is set to finish after the FA Cup final against Everton at Wembley, by which time Chelsea hope to be able to announce a permanent successor - expected to be AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti.

Malouda, whose three goals in the last four games have taken his tally to nine, is only to happy to continue helping his team-mates break down the opposition defence, as Nicolas Anelka closes in on the Barclays Premier League golden boot.

"The team is playing really well and it is easier for me to express myself in a team that is doing so good," said the 28-year-old, signed from Lyon in a £13.5million deal during the summer of 2007.

"I always try to play relaxed because that is when you get the best out of yourself.

"Everybody is talking about assists or scoring goals, but in a team there is a lot of work to do and also, as the coach would like to say, the dirty work.

"I am somebody who will first do the dirty work and then try to get some assists or score some goals.

"Everybody at the club trusts me, I can feel the confidence of my team-mates and that gives me a lot of confidence.

"I also think Gus Hiddink gave me more responsibilities and that is what I had when I was at Lyon.

"When you come to a big club like Chelsea you have to wait to get some experience and then take your responsibilities."

Anelka netted his 18th league goal of the campaign in Sunday's 2-0 home win over Blackburn to take him level with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in the race to finish as the top-flight's leading marksman.

Malouda believes Chelsea's front line, which also includes rejuvenated Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba, has developed an understanding which makes them almost unplayable.

"We have known each other for a long time and when you are relaxed you do not have to look, you know where they are going to move," he said.
"Also, if we are speaking French it can confuse the opponents because they don't understand what we are saying."

Ancelotti has emerged as the leading contender to take over the manager's job on a permanent basis when Hiddink, who replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari, returns to his full-time role with the Russia national team.

England midfielder David Beckham, who played at Milan in the second half of the season, believes the Blues would be getting "one of the greats" were they to lure the Italian to Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti is reported to be keen to bring coaches Mauro Tassotti and Filippo Galli with him to England, although there is likely to still be a role for current assistant boss Ray Wilkins, who speaks Italian from his spell in Milan as a player during the mid-1980s.

Chelsea's final league game of the campaign is at relegation-threatened Sunderland, where a big win could yet see them snatch runners-up spot from Liverpool.

German midfielder Michael Ballack has returned to training after a being laid low by a virus.
Long-term absentee Joe Cole is stepping up his rehabilitation work following knee surgery as he looks to be fit for the new season