Nicolas Anelka has been a bit hit-and-miss since his arrival in January. To be fair Grant played him out of position, although the shrugged shoulders attitude to his Champions League penalty miss was never going to do him any favours. Still, back in his natural position he looked hungry pre-season and there looked hope for our striker yet. Three games into the new Premier League season though, and again he seems to be blowing hot and cold. He’s done ok, and usually seems to be there or thereabouts but he’s hardly what you’d call clinical when it comes to finishing.

Anyway, having got a lot more of a look in with Drogba missing the start of the season, Anelka still has the odd complaint apparently, suggesting on his blog in Les Dessous du Sport. “A little issue? I don’t always play in my position. People remember the position I used to play in as an Arsenal player. Since then the number nine is written on my skin. Nevertheless, I’m no fox in the box. I could change my position at smaller clubs but Chelsea are Chelsea. I keep the same place, but I’d like to have more fun on the pitch.” Slight contradiction there but never mind.

Still, he does have something positive to say, because he goes on “For the moment everything’s fine with my club, Chelsea enjoyed a good start with two victories and a draw. Coaches change but not football – we still have a strong team, a huge squad and The Premier League is the best league in the world.”

So he’s looking forward to seeing out his career with Chelsea then? Of course not, this is Anelka we’re talking about here after all. However, contrary to recent rumours, this won’t be at PSG. Because our French striker says “There’s a rumour saying I’ll be back at PSG. It’s nonsense. I’ve signed a three-year deal with Chelsea and even if I was to leave London, I’d go to the USA or to a Gulf country, but not to Paris,”   

But, fear not, just in case any of us had started to worry his heart wasn’t truly in it right now, Anelka says “In France, people can find it annoying that all the best players in the world play in England but when you are involved in this championship it’s a pleasure.”

So that’s that cleared up then.

Filed under: Current Players, Rants