Anelka bids to have Drogba link-up wish granted
The French striker, who moved to Chelsea in January, has yet to partner Drogba in attack, but has now spoken out and is convinced that the pair can bring out the best in each other.
“I think that we could be very strong together,” said Anelka. “We’re already very strong, of course, but we could form a good partnership and a good attack. Didier is very athletic, very physical, very good in the air and understands the English game perfectly.
“He’s really good with his back to goal, and I like to move around, switch from left to right. If we played in a 4-4-2, he could be the focus point of our attack and I could play off him. But we have to wait until the moment the coach decides to do it.”
Anelka usually plays for Chelsea when Drogba is rested, as a single striker in a 4-5-1 formation. The only time both players have begun a match was the Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham, when Anelka was surprisingly played on the left wing while Drogba played on his own up front. “It’s a very physical game with a lot of contact and Didier knows how to deal with that and use his strengths and that’s why he is so successful for Chelsea,” Anelka added.
Anelka has only scored once in his first seven games for the Blues but he has impressed observers with his all-round game. “I knew before coming here there would be great competition for places, and there is,” he added.
“The coach has to make his decision about tactics to employ and players he wants in the team. Up to now he had done very well and whether I’m a starter or not, whether I play alongside Didier or not, or whether I’m on the bench or in the stands, the coach makes his choices and you just have to accept it. I think I can play together with Didier but I don’t know whether the coach wants to play us together. Whatever happens I’m just delighted to be at Chelsea.”
Anelka, who is preparing for Chelsea’s three crucial upcoming games — they travel to Sunderland this afternoon and Tottenham in midweek, before welcoming title challengers Arsenal to Stanford Bridge next weekend — also insisted that Drogba would be part of the Blues squad next season.
The Ivorian striker has been quoted as saying he wants to leave the club at the end of the season but Anelka believes he will still be a Chelsea player next season. “There are a lot of rumours about him leaving, but I think he’s very happy at Chelsea,” he added. “I think Didier will still be here next season. I hope we can perhaps write a few lines together in Chelsea’s history, or maybe even a few pages.”
Meanwhile Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insists there is still a chance Frank Lampard’s future could be resolved before the summer.
His current deal expires in the summer of 2009, and Kenyon suggested anything was possible before the summer.
“I think anything is realistic — I just don’t want to add to more speculation counting down each day to the summer,” he said.
“I think the discussions that we have with Frank will be kept private and that’s important. I think both parties have made it absolutely clear that we want to find a resolution to this and hopefully we will do that sooner rather than later.
“We are committed, as is Frank, to finding the right solution to keep him at Stamford Bridge.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
