Just read this article on the Metro website.

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/875079-nicolas-anelka-offered-chelsea-exit-with-lucrative-transfer-to-qatar

Couldn't say that there appears to be any substance to it, there's no quotes from anybody, and they seem to be basing their argument on the fact that we have an abundance of strikers, and a pregtty large wage bill.

Can't see it, especially with how sh*te Torres is playing & Lukaka being left out of Champs League squad.

Is it at the end of this year that his contract is out? There will be lots more stories like this throughout the season if so

This would be acceptable.

He is still too young for a move like this, IMO. Maybe at 36-38 or something.

If he is out of contract its a shame we wont get anything for him, but I always assumed he would want to go back to PSG now that they are on the rise.

Before last night's game against Bayer, I would have said you can have him thank you very much. But, he really played well after coming on and gave the Bayer defence a number of problems through his creation of chances for his teammates.

He was by far our best player last night at taking people on it seemed, maybe it was because we were sat that end so saw the second half better than the first, but damn some of his play was just awesome, took it around so many players with quick feet and decent pace

He's a strange one is Nico..

One minute he frustrates the hell out of me, and i'd see him gone in a second... Then (as he did last night) comes on and oozes class.

I would also add that since he's been here he's been exemplary, no sulks, no leaking transfer wishes, in fact he's been one of our best pros over the last few years (IMO of course) so all in all i'd like to see him at least see the season out.

Alan

He knows he has a shot at the main striker role again. And he knows he's no longer first choice on for the right because of Sturridge and Mata. Its called fighting for your place, something we've missed for a few seasons.

I believe your right footballoholic, since the closing of the transfer window and especially with our new additions, everybody seems up for it. There's numerous players able to come in to replace a player that is not performing, and we can see the benefits on the pitch (if we just compare it to the start of the season). And, as for now, the only two players that can realistically expect to be in the starting line-up before the game sheet is even out are Ashley and Mata, hence the competition between the rest of the squad and their performance.

AVB has said he wants to leave

http://soccernet.esp...ea-exit?cc=3436

Says it here.

PS - Can't seem to use the link tab. Window goes gray but nothing happens. Have to refresh. Using Chrome.

Edited September 18, 201113 yr by Oblivion

Personally, I think we will see a huge change in our strike force sometime very soon

Wouldn't shock me if he went in the summer he's been a great signing for us and I think during the 2008-09 and 2009-2010 seasons he played the best football of his career. But he's in his 30s and we need to be easing this sorts of players out so it wouldn't gut me if he went.

Its here on the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14963333.stm

Looks like he's off. Can't say i'm too cut up about it. Its Drogba we need to worry about, as the article states.

Anelka is probably still able to perform at the top level, physically, for another 2-3 years. However sometimes the mind regresses far, far quicker than the body, and I think he's lost his desire for the top level game. This isn't anything against him personally, it's just speculation that maybe he's tired of the elite athlete lifestyle expected of him at Chelsea and let's face it after his long and journeyman career who can blame him? Yes, he gets paid exceptionally well, but satisifaction with pay is relative, and after 20 years of strict dieting, training and the pressure of the international media spotlight it can all be a bit much.

Ashley Cole has spoken at length about being in the same situation, intimating that each day it "becomes a little harder to get out of bed". I think if Ashley Cole ever had a serious, med-long term injury, his playing days at the highest level would be over even if he made a full physical recovery.

Anelka is probably still able to perform at the top level, physically, for another 2-3 years. However sometimes the mind regresses far, far quicker than the body, and I think he's lost his desire for the top level game. This isn't anything against him personally, it's just speculation that maybe he's tired of the elite athlete lifestyle expected of him at Chelsea and let's face it after his long and journeyman career who can blame him? Yes, he gets paid exceptionally well, but satisifaction with pay is relative, and after 20 years of strict dieting, training and the pressure of the international media spotlight it can all be a bit much.

Ashley Cole has spoken at length about being in the same situation, intimating that each day it "becomes a little harder to get out of bed". I think if Ashley Cole ever had a serious, med-long term injury, his playing days at the highest level would be over even if he made a full physical recovery.

Point taken but the Cole quote about it "being a bit harder to get out of bed each day" is pathetic. I'd leap out of bed knowing i was pulling in £15,000 a day. I love Chelsea but sometimes you have to wonder...

As for Anelka it seems he'll play out his days in Dubai, by the looks of things. Either there or in MLS.

Edited September 18, 201113 yr by Blueblur

Point taken but the Cole quote about it "being a bit harder to get out of bed each day" is pathetic. I'd leap out of bed knowing i was pulling in £15,000 a day. I love Chelsea but sometimes you have to wonder...

Didn't that quote have to do with his physical condition rather than any kind of reflection of his attitude? Meaning that as he gets older, the physical demands of the game are that more difficult to cope with.

Didn't that quote have to do with his physical condition rather than any kind of reflection of his attitude? Meaning that as he gets older, the physical demands of the game are that more difficult to cope with.

I think you're right. He was talking about a long-standing ankle problem as far as I know.

No, I think it was about his attitude, and I don't blame him. Even if I was earning 15,000 a game, it's just money to me. After a 10-year top flight career, the rewarding power of money would be far outweighed by the physical demands of the job.

They're all rich enough to retire now and live very veyr comfrtoably for the rest of their lives, I don't think that this stage they're going to really be motivated by money as much. At least I would hope they're not that greedy.

Ive never liked him, and i would have liked him to go. But slowly he is winning me over, he just cant be a lone striker in big games though.

Ive never liked him, and i would have liked him to go. But slowly he is winning me over, he just cant be a lone striker in big games though.

This is how I personally feel, obviously AVB is really having a impact on certain players, ie bossy and anelka, through his motivational skills.

i think anelka knows that at his age he has one more big move left in him hence the middle eastern link, a couple of years work in a much lower, slower paced standard of competition for a ridiculous sum of money is going to be hard too turn down for someone who is no longer guaranteed a starting 11 spot at a top european team.

Good Luck to him, don't know what all the fuss about 'Le Sulk ' was about

Ive never liked him, and i would have liked him to go. But slowly he is winning me over

You sound like my girlfriend! She used to hate him, but this season he's really impressed, particularly against Leverkusen, and the ball through to Torres for the goal against United was great.