Anelka rubbishes ‘nonsense’ reports of PSG return
Anelka, who stared his career at the capital club, has had two spells with PSG, the last of which ended in acrimonious circumstances after he fell out with then coach Luis Fernandez.
PSG president Charles Villeneuve revealed in the summer he would love to bring the 29-year-old back to the Parc des Princes for a third time, but Anelka insists that will never happen.
“There are some rumours circulating about a possible return to PSG,” Anelka said. “They’re all nonsense.
“It’s true that I know a lot of people at the club. I’m friends with Papus Camara, with Claude Makelele.
“I know well the new leadership team: Charles Villeneuve and Bruno Skropeta, but from there to a return... it will never happen.
“I’ve signed for three years at Chelsea, and then even if I had to leave London, I would go to the States or a country in the Gulf but not to Paris.”
Anelka, who also counts Real Madrid and Fenerbahce among his former clubs, has played over half his footballing career in England, having spent a total of seven years at Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea.
“Chelsea have started well, we have two victories and a draw on the counter,” he continued. “And the Premier League is the best championship in the world. It never stops confirming that and it’s been a long time I’ve been saying that.”
Meanwhile, Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is keeping his fingers crossed no more Chelsea players will report back from international duty injured and unavailable for selection against Manchester City.
The Blues have been rocked by the news combative midfielder Michael Essien is set for up to six months on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while away with Ghana.
The loss of Essien – who will require surgery and then an extensive period of rehabilitation – is a major blow to the plans of the Chelsea manager, with no immediate like-for-like replacement available and the transfer window now closed until January.
Nigerian John Obi Mikel is, though, expected to be fit following a leg problem in time to face City.
But with Germany’s Michael Ballack remaining troubled by a foot injury, Scolari will be hoping for a clean bill of health when the likes of John Terry, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge return to Cobham.
“Many players are in national teams and the bad news that we received is that Essien has an injury,” Scolari said.
Chelsea could receive a welcome boost with the return of striker Didier Drogba at Eastlands on Saturday.
The Ivory Coast international has not yet featured this season because of a knee problem, but did have an outing for the reserves last week as he continues to build up match fitness.
“Mikel is in very good condition and Didier grows up every day and grows up every week,” Scolari said. “He (Drogba) is not completely ready for the game against Manchester City, but he may play 45 minutes.’’
Chelsea head into a tough run of fixtures when the club season resumes with the opening of the Champions League group at home to Bordeaux which will be followed by a Stamford Bridge date with champions Manchester United on September 21.
For Essien, though, there will be no more competitive action until the beginning of the new year at the earliest.
He said: “I am devastated, but these things happen in football. I am disappointed to miss the start of a very important season for Chelsea and also Ghana’s World Cup hopes.”
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