Florent Malouda has revealed how he planned to play for Chelsea long before his arrival in 2007.

The French winger is enjoying his best form since his arrival from Olympique Lyon.

Malouda told the Daily Mail: "When I came here my family was ready.

"I'd been coming for two years. I'd seen my friends Didier Drogba and Michael Essien come here. So I knew where I was coming.

"When I was at Lyon, I was looking at Chelsea winning trophies and the players were so happy. I went to Didier's house and saw his pictures of the trophies and his family celebrating at Stamford Bridge. I wanted that.

"I wanted to be in those pictures with my family, celebrating on the pitch with the trophy. That's why I play football.

"It was my choice to come to Chelsea. They were so competitive in the Champions League and I said, 'That's where I want to be'.

"I bought my house in London. I chose to bring my children to a British school. It was what we wanted. After that, I couldn't say, 'I don't feel good in England'. But this was the picture people were seeing of me. That has changed because my performances improved."