Anelka unsatisfied with position at Chelsea
French International Nicolas Anelka is unsatisfied with the position he currently holds at Chelsea. He currently plays as a winger but has wanted to play as a forward. “When I came (to Chelsea), I was told I would play in a 4-4-2 system. I didn’t come here to play on the right or on the left. In England, I need to prove my worth as a center forward.”
Anelka is currently starting in the Euro Cup for France as a striker. “Up to now I didn’t say anything because I was a new player coming from Bolton. But from next season I will no longer be a new player - I will be a Chelsea player.”
Some may speculate that his bargaining position will be hampered by the penalty he took in the Champions Legaue Final against Manchester United. His penalty was blocked by Edwin Van der Saar.
“I stayed 110 minutes on the bench and suddenly I was asked to play less than a minute after being sent to warm up. I don’t know if it ever happened in a Champions League final, in a game so intense, that a player was sent on without having warmed up.”
When asked if he wanted to take one of the first five penalties Anelka said he responded by saying, “No way. I came on practically as a full back and you want me to shoot a penalty?.” After the game Anelka was impervious to the fact that his penalty kick had lost Chelsea the Champions League saying “Good for him (Van der Saar). That’s the game.”
Scolari will be Chelsea’s new manager next season though he is currently coaching for Portugal in the Euro Cup.