Anelka would be welcome back to French fold

Nicolas Anelka would be welcomed back into the international fold by French Football Federation president Claude Simonet.

The repentant Manchester City striker revealed today he would be keen on an immediate return to the France squad.

With Euro 2004 on the horizon and France needing solid support for Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, Anelka revealed he would attempt to resolve his differences with France coach Jacques Santini, with whom he hopes to arrange a meeting in the near future.

Anelka said: “I want to be a French international again. When you get older, you change, and you grow up.

“I never closed the door to the French team.”

Anelka’s announcement was well received by Simonet who hinted that he would be happy for Santini to call up Anelka for the friendly against Belgium on February 18.

Before falling out with Santini, 24-year-old Anelka had won 28 France caps and scored six goals.

He was a member of the victorious Euro 2000 squad but has not appeared for France since April 2002 when he took part in a goalless draw against Russia.

He missed the World Cup that summer – he had also been one of six players omitted from the original training squad of 28 when then France coach Aime Jacquet picked his successful 22-man squad for the 1998 World Cup.

“We have many talented players in France and Anelka is one of them,” said Simonet. “For his own interest, Anelka and his talent should not be sidelined.

“Every time Anelka was called up he adapted well to the squad and behaved well too. The other players like him. As far as I am concerned I think he is nice.

“I also think that in life, if one cannot forgive, then one should forget.”

Anelka enraged Santini by declining a call-up to play for the national team against Yugoslavia in November 2002, declaring at the time: “I do not now see people who have a real desire to select me.”

It was a personal snub to Santini, who had asked Anelka to join up late with the squad as a replacement for the injured Sidney Govou and he later further riled the coach by saying that Santini would have to go down on his knees to lure him back.

“I can understand that he (Santini) was hurt by my comments,” Anelka added today. “Now the easiest would be to discuss with him and see how he sees things. If I have to tell him something I will do it face to face.”