I think it is fair to say that Nicolas Anelka didn’t exactly blow away the Chelsea fans with his performances after joining from Bolton last season. The French striker only scored twice following his January move and capped the disappointing start to his Chelsea career with a penalty miss in the Champions League final against Manchester United. It can only get better, eh Nicolas?

Luckily for him though, that is exactly what I expect him to do – get better. There is no doubting his ability as a player and I would like to think his Chelsea career starts now. Yes, he was disappointing last season, but let’s give him another chance. At 29-years-old he knows that he is around the peak of his career, so must start to deliver for his new club.

Not that it means a huge amount, but Anelka is looking rather sharp in pre-season. His performances – which have received praise from his team mates – have included two goals in as many games as well as a couple of assists in the 4-0 victory over Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. It is his goals against Chengdu Blades and the Malaysia All-Stars that are encouraging though, he has now doubled his Chelsea goal tally – albeit against weaker opposition in pre-season.

Something the likes of Joe Cole and John Terry have mentioned about Anelka’s performances in pre-season is how he is using his pace to good effect while playing ‘off the shoulder of the main striker’. They say he can use his speed to pull away from opposition defenders, meaning he can get into positions where he can set up a goal or get on the score sheet himself.

It must be remembered of course, that Avram Grant did play Anelka out of position on a number of occasions. He would often find himself out on the wing to accommodate Didier Drogba’s lone striker role and because this wasn’t his preferred position, Anelka would then miss out on the team completely. It seems obvious to me that he is wasted on the wing, what good are his bursts of pace and excellently timed runs out there? It’s not as if he has a reputation for being able to whip the ball into the box after such exploits is it?

Anelka hasn’t scored the goals he has during his career by playing out wide. A central role allows him to use his best attributes more effectively and that’s where he should play for Chelsea this season if he is to help the club in their search for trophies. Judging by pre-season, it seems that Scolari has realised this.

I’d like to see the football odds on Anelka being Chelsea’s leading scorer this season, because I’d be tempted to stick some money on it. I think that he will excel under Scolari – playing in the hole behind the main striker. All the talk has been that Anelka and Drogba can’t play together, but I think that’s nonsense. Drogba holding the ball up as Anelka bursts from deep seems logical to me. I will be interested to see how this partnership develops – I certainly hope it is given a chance.

To end today’s piece, I just want to have a quick look at Premier League betting. Chelsea and Manchester United are obviously the favourites for the title, but I heard something yesterday about Liverpool being contenders now they have signed Robbie Keane. So, because Rafa Benitez has signed a player who guided Tottenham to 11^th last season, Liverpool are going to win the league? Don’t make me laugh.

I’d rather have Nicolas Anelka any day. I just hope I am still saying this a few weeks into the season after the French striker has started to play to echo his undoubted ability in a Chelsea shirt.

Thomas Rooney - Freelance Sports Journalist

Filed under: Current Players, Rants