Anelka Refused To Take Penalty

[Tooj]

Nicolas Anelka has voiced his frustration at being asked to play out of position for Chelsea, while he has also admitted that he refused to take one of the first five penalties in the UEFA Champions League final.

 

Anelka has not been a regular starter since moving to Stamford Bridge from Bolton in the January transfer window and he has often had to play on the wing rather than in his preferred front role.

 

The Frenchman claims that he was led to believe he would start alongside Didier Drogba in most games, but Avram Grant has been reluctant to change his formation.

 

He is unhappy with his role and has demanded to be used as a striker when the new season gets underway.

 

"Since I have joined the club, I never played in my right position, as second centre-forward," Anelka told L'Equipe.

 

"I have always played on the left or the right. I have never said anything so far. I was a new man in the team, coming from Bolton. But next season it will be different, I won't be a new man anymore, I will be a Chelsea player.

 

"When I came here, I was told I will play in a 4-4-2 system. I didn't come to play on the right or left.

 

"I don't have to prove my value in the centre. We could have played together with Didier Drogba.

 

"But we never even worked on our partnership during training sessions."

 

Anelka came on in extra-time in the Champions League final before his sudden death penalty was saved by Edwin van der Sar to give victory to Manchester United.

 

He admits it was difficult to play a part in the shoot-out after coming on so late, adding: "I never thought I would come onto the pitch.

 

"I stayed sitting on the bench for 110 minutes, and then I have been asked to play after just one minute of warm-up.

 

"I don't know if it has ever happened in a Champions League final, with such an intensity, to play without a warm-up.

 

"I was asked to be among the five penalty kickers. I said 'out of the question. I came in almost as right full-back and you want me to kick a penalty?' Finally I had to go as number seven."

[gray]

fh man, just kick it you moany twat

[Guest teepee]

the big sulk indeed

 

now it will be about 5 minutes before we're linked with a move for him...

[Chris_R]

At least he's getting more mature with age.

 

Oh, hang on.

[Ally]

What a gay.

[M4]

I can understand not wanting to take one out of lack of nerves or confidence, but this is just out of spite

 

Back to his old tricks.

[Belfast Boy]

Nicolas Anelka has voiced his frustration at being asked to play out of position for Chelsea, while he has also admitted that he refused to take one of the first five penalties in the UEFA Champions League final.

 

Anelka has not been a regular starter since moving to Stamford Bridge from Bolton in the January transfer window and he has often had to play on the wing rather than in his preferred front role.

 

The Frenchman claims that he was led to believe he would start alongside Didier Drogba in most games, but Avram Grant has been reluctant to change his formation.

 

He is unhappy with his role and has demanded to be used as a striker when the new season gets underway.

 

"Since I have joined the club, I never played in my right position, as second centre-forward," Anelka told L'Equipe.

 

"I have always played on the left or the right. I have never said anything so far. I was a new man in the team, coming from Bolton. But next season it will be different, I won't be a new man anymore, I will be a Chelsea player.

 

"When I came here, I was told I will play in a 4-4-2 system. I didn't come to play on the right or left.

 

"I don't have to prove my value in the centre. We could have played together with Didier Drogba.

 

"But we never even worked on our partnership during training sessions."

 

Anelka came on in extra-time in the Champions League final before his sudden death penalty was saved by Edwin van der Sar to give victory to Manchester United.

 

He admits it was difficult to play a part in the shoot-out after coming on so late, adding: "I never thought I would come onto the pitch.

 

"I stayed sitting on the bench for 110 minutes, and then I have been asked to play after just one minute of warm-up.

 

"I don't know if it has ever happened in a Champions League final, with such an intensity, to play without a warm-up.

 

"I was asked to be among the five penalty kickers. I said 'out of the question. I came in almost as right full-back and you want me to kick a penalty?' Finally I had to go as number seven."

 

So I guess Belleti took his then?

[Swissmag]

I can understand not wanting to take one out of lack of nerves or confidence, but this is just out of spite

 

Back to his old tricks.

 

As soon as he signed for Chelski, it was clear for me, that he will become sulky again... Doesn't like to play the 2nd fiddle.

[steve_69]

There's no doubt he's a moany fecker but he has actually got a point.

If you sign for a club on the promise that you will play as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation, yet every time you play it's off the bench and out of position in a 4-5-1, how can you expect the guy to be happy? He's basically been lied to.

[Swissmag]

There's no doubt he's a moany fecker but he has actually got a point.

If you sign for a club on the promise that you will play as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation, yet every time you play it's off the bench and out of position in a 4-5-1, how can you expect the guy to be happy? He's basically been lied to.

 

true...

[Swissmag]

There's no doubt he's a moany fecker but he has actually got a point.

If you sign for a club on the promise that you will play as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation, yet every time you play it's off the bench and out of position in a 4-5-1, how can you expect the guy to be happy? He's basically been lied to.

 

but then again he was just stupid to sign for Chelski. So it is probably his own fault. Would still like to see him at SJP in b/w... :-)

[jimmymag]

Does anyone remember when he played for PSG and they were involved in a penalty shoot out and Anelka actually took his boots off in the centre circle.

 

Poor character with very little bottle.

[Shak]

Everybody in the room I was in called him missing, you could see it in his body language.

 

Penalties are about bottle, and you just know Anelka has none. Terry on the other hand I fully expected to score.

[catmag]

There's no doubt he's a moany fecker but he has actually got a point.

If you sign for a club on the promise that you will play as a striker in a 4-4-2 formation, yet every time you play it's off the bench and out of position in a 4-5-1, how can you expect the guy to be happy? He's basically been lied to.

 

Aye, but it's a team game and he's being paid to be a member of a team, played in the position that the manager of that team thinks is most effective for that game. For the wages he's getting he should play in goal if they ask him to!

 

I have absolutely no doubt that Grant or anyone else said to him "But of course, Nicholas, I PROMISE I will always play you as a striker." He needs to stop whining and think himself lucky.

[Tooj]

Does anyone remember when he played for PSG and they were involved in a penalty shoot out and Anelka actually took his boots off in the centre circle.

 

Poor character with very little bottle.

 

Didn't Robert do that as well?

[NG32]

His face showed it all really when he was walking up.

 

I said to wor lass he was forced into it.

 

Oh dear.

[M4]

That Hargreaves is a quality pen taker by the way. Was the best of the lot on Wednesday night.

[Dr Venkman]

That Hargreaves is a quality pen taker by the way. Was the best of the lot on Wednesday night.

 

shearer pen ftw

[Zero]

When a player is lack of confidence of taking a penalty, the best thing is to decline it. I don't think he is wrong considering his level of confidence.

It should be Drogba who should be fucked off.

[Disco]

That Hargreaves is a quality pen taker by the way. Was the best of the lot on Wednesday night.

Quality player alround. Shame he plays for Man U. Be almost the ideal player to play in Geremi's role in the 4-3-3.

[Guest Jawesome]

I'd have Anelka here any day.

[James]

That Hargreaves is a quality pen taker by the way. Was the best of the lot on Wednesday night.

 

Probably down to his German background.

[M4]

That Hargreaves is a quality pen taker by the way. Was the best of the lot on Wednesday night.

 

Probably down to his German background.

 

Oh definitely. Quality control.

[Mowen]

Does anyone remember when he played for PSG and they were involved in a penalty shoot out and Anelka actually took his boots off in the centre circle.

 

Poor character with very little bottle.

 

Didn't Robert do that as well?

 

He did, against Partizan.

[Mowen]

I'd have Anelka here any day.

 

Absolutely. Class player.