Malouda mum on career moves

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda remains non-committal about where he will play football next season.

The Frenchman, who was here on the island on the weekend, where he was the special guest at the Heineken UEFA Champions League viewing party at the National Indoor Sports Centre, said he is yet to speak with any club and won't do so until his contract at Chelsea expires this summer.

Last summer, Malouda, who has spent the last six years at the the Blues, requested a transfer from the West London club.

A number of teams in Brazil, as well as his former club Lyon, all reportedly showed interest, but Malouda refused to take a significant cut in wages from his current £80,000 a week package. Because of his refusal to move, he was not picked to be a member of the Chelsea squad in any competition and was only allowed to train with the club's U-21 squad.

But, according to the player, all the talk surrounding his impending departure from the club and where he will end up is pure speculation.

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"People talk about speculation but the only thing I can speak about is my situation. I had a contract initially of three years. I extended so the total was six years, so I think we came to the end of the story. I wanted it to end one year ago. I think it would have saved my time if I was released one year ago but I have to wait patiently. Now my contract expires and I am just looking forward to next season. I am not injured and have been preparing for next season, so I can't wait to start playing football again, that is what I do best."

He said his contract prevents him from negotiating with another club and he will only do so when it expires.

"I don't have an agent or anyone representing me. I did not speak with any club because I am just waiting for my contract to expire to be really free to talk with any club. I think most of the clubs interested in signing me know my situation and knew my situation one year ago, so I couldn't speak because I respect Chelsea and I really love Chelsea. When I have the opportunity to speak I will speak freely but right now I will just let people talk."

Turning his attention to why he was in Jamaica, Malouda, who first visited the island in 2007, said he has many good friends here and enjoys his visits.

"It's been a very busy trip but I am really enjoying it. Every time I come to Jamaica I am always surrounded by nice people and I really love this country. To have this opportunity to come and watch the Champions League final is great," said the French international, who watched the finals sitting in the stands at the NISC before signing autographs and posing for photographs.

The midfielder was a part of the Chelsea team that won the Champions League last year.