Settled Anelka making the difference for Chelsea

November 26, 2009

Nicolas Anelka’s arrival at Chelsea in January last year hardly had the fans buzzing amid all the big-money signings since Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich transformed the fortunes of the west London club.

The peripatetic France striker seemed like a stop-gap and few expected him to be part of Chelsea’s long-term future.

He had just spent 18 months at Bolton Wanderers after spells at Fenerbahce, Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris St Germain and, following the best piece of business in Arsenal’s history, Real
Madrid who he joined for 23 million pounds.

At none of those clubs, however, did he really settle and deliver the regular match-winning performances that made him such a deadly proposition under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

His first half-season at Chelsea produced just two goals and, although he was far more prolific last term with 25 and some excellent displays, there was always the feeling he was second fiddle to Didier Drogba.

This season, however, Anelka seems to have stepped up a gear and gives the impression that not only is he enjoying his football, a rarity for a man nicknamed ‘the incredible sulk’, but he is increasingly the focal point of Chelsea’s attack.

He headed the only goal on Tuesday in the Champions League win at Porto that secured top spot in Group D to maintain his record of vital goals this season having been the sole scorer in the home win over Porto and 1-0 victory at APOEL Nicosia.

He was also outstanding for France in the 1-1 playoff draw with Ireland that secured a World Cup berth, holding the ball up repeatedly with a sure touch and keeping possession despite some tough Irish tackling that previously might have seen him wilt.

“Not only in the Champions League but in all competitions Anelka is having a very good season,” Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said after Tuesday’s win.

“He is a very important player, sometimes playing as a striker close to Drogba, sometimes helping the midfield. His position is very important for our play.”

On Sunday Chelsea face London rivals Arsenal, where Anelka made his name as a teenage tyro after being nabbed from PSG for a bargain 500,000 pounds by Wenger.

He scored there in last season’s impressive 4-1 triumph and any sort of repeat would be a huge help in Chelsea’s title push.

“It is a very good time for us and we have to keep this going because the players are in good condition, have a good mentality and want to maintain this momentum,” Ancelotti said.

“We know very well that Sunday will be a very difficult match but we know that now is a very good time to play Arsenal,” he added, with their opponents hit by a string of injuries.

Chelsea could be further boosted by an early return for Frank Lampard after a thigh strain. Ancelotti said the England midfielder was in full training and may be fit for Sunday.

PHOTO: Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka (R) is challenged by Liverpool’s Daniel Agger during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London October 26, 2008. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

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Tags: billionaire owner, bolton wanderers, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, daniel agger, England, France, Germain, Ireland, Liverpool, london, london club, MADRID, manchester city, Nicolas Anelka, Nicosia, owner roman abramovich, paris st germain, peripatetic, PORTO, rarity, real madrid, second fiddle, Stephen Hird, stop gap, striker, sulk, vital goals, Wenger, west london, world cup berth

English will sweep the Italians, says Anelka

January 22, 2009

ROME(AFP) (AFP) – Chelsea’s French forward Nicolas Anelka confidently claimed the three English teams facing Italian opposition in the Champions League second round will record a clean sweep.

Anelka made his undiplomatic prediction in an interview with Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

His Chelsea team face Juventus, reigning champions Manchester United take on Inter Milan while Arsenal were drawn against AS Roma.

"If I had to make a bet I’d say 3-0 to the English. Chelsea, Manchester and Arsenal progressing ahead of Juve, Inter and Roma," he said. "Watch what happens but anything can happen."

Anelka is particularly looking forward to coming up against Juve’s David Trezeguet, who came through the French junior system at the same time as the man known as ‘the Incredible Sulk’.

"It’s a huge match, Juve are top drawer," he said. "It’s always tough against Italian teams, tactically they’re the best in Europe. If we don’t break them down, if we don’t score, it will be very risky for us.

"We have to score in the first leg (at home) and not concede in order to have a chance in Turin."

Trezeguet, who has played only eight minutes this season due to injury, should be available for the clash.

"That’s terrible news for us. I admire David, there aren’t many goalscorers like him around. He was born to score goals. "Juve are as good as Inter. (Alessandro) Del Piero is an incredible talent. (Pavel) Nedved, (Gianluigi) Buffon, everyone. We’ll have to be at our best to beat Juve."

Anelka has played for eight different teams in four different countries during his career but never in Italy, and that despite being married to Italian singer Barbara Tausia.

However, the 29-year-old, whose family hails from the island of Martinique, revealed he came close a couple of times.

"My wife and her family are from Italy. I met her in Paris, she was on TV with her eurodance group Eu4ya," he said.

"She sings and dances beautifully and she’s an even better cook, Italian of course.

"But I don’t yet know Italy. (Sven Goran) Eriksson wanted me at Lazio when Arsenal sold me to Real Madrid and I could have gone to Juventus if (Didier) Deschamps had stayed."

Anelka has had a potted career, winning the double in England with Arsenal, the Champions League with Real Madrid and the Turkish title with Fenerbahce.

He also won the European Championships with France in 2000, when they beat Italy in the final, but was not part of the squad that won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, nor three years ago when they lost to Italy in the final in Germany.

Written by: AFP