Best quotes about Nicolas Anelka

Currently with French team Lille as their youth manager, Anelka was a footballing journeyman who played for numerous clubs in his twenty year career. Playing for six different teams in the English Premier League, we take a look at some of the best quotes about Nicolas Anelka.

After starting out at Paris Saint-Germain, Anelka won several top flight titles, and played for some major clubs around the world.

With Arsenal, he was victorious in the Premier League and FA Cup, with Real Madrid he picked up a Champions League honour, with Fenerbahce the top flight Super Lig title, with Juventus the Serie A, and with Chelsea, the League and FA Cup titles.

He was also a success with the French national team, being part of the side that won the European Championship and the Confederations Cup in consecutive years, and representing his country 69 times and scoring 14 goals.

As the winner of the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008/09 with 19 goals for Chelsea, Anelka was seen as a quick and technically sound player, capable of being the main and secondary striker.

His regular movement between clubs did not diminish his consistent scoring ability, with 23 in 65 for Arsenal, 37 in 89 for Manchester City, 21 in 53 for Bolton Wanderers, and 38 in 125 games for Chelsea, all in a league career spanning over 500 matches.

After retiring he became a player-coach/manager and also a sports director for a short time.  

Nicolas Anelka

“He’s got a great work ethic, looks after himself and is a consummate professional…..If you add that to the obvious talent he’s got…..”
Steve Clarke (West Bromwich Albion head coach)

“I really like this boy…..He is quick and can score goals…..Since arriving I have been very pleased with his behaviour and his happiness during matches and training sessions. I am very happy to see him smiling. He has a great desire and will to learn…..wants to do his best, and is improving.”
Phil Thompson (Liverpool assistant manager)

“People think Nicolas is an arrogant and lonely man, but that is simply not true. People just don’t understand him. He is shy and young. He can bring a lot to Liverpool. I wish him the best.”
Steve McManaman

“From our perspective Nicolas is playing some outstanding football. He is a joy to have around the place…..he is working extremely hard and he is getting the rewards from that.”
Ray Wilkins (Chelsea manager)

“Nicolas is a nice guy…..”
Phil Thompson

“I am not surprised he is doing well and I am pleased for him…..”
Gerard Houllier (former Liverpool manager)

“He’s been magnificent again this season…..There are not many players who can play the main goalscorer or the second striker role so effectively and he has quickly made Chelsea his club.”
John Terry (Chelsea team-mate)

“We are missing a bit of firepower from last year…..to kick off with the signing of Nicolas at the start of the summer is a great boost for everyone at the club…..The more quality players you can bring to the club the better – and no-one can question Nicolas’ quality.”
Steve Clarke

“I found him very professional, he doesn’t like to speak a lot, he prefers to stay quiet in the dressing room, but is very professional.”
Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea manager)

“In his career, Anelka has worn the jerseys of the most important clubs in the world like Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal, so now he has arrived at Juventus…..This represents a great challenge for Nicolas. He wants to leave his mark in Italy too.”
Fabrizio Ferrari (player’s agent)

“(Anelka) is a player that is of interest to anybody. I think he is finishing in China so he is available…..He is a top player so he is a player we would be interested in…..”
Harry Redknapp (QPR manager)

“Tell Anelka he made his new team-mates really proud!…..”
Wang Dalei (Shanghai Shenhua goalkeeper)

“It is the Nicolas I like to see…..when he shows these qualities, he is a candidate for a permanent place.”
Raymond Domenech (France manager)

“Nicolas is really enthusiastic…..bring some of his striking expertise and know-how to our young players.”
Christophe Galtier (Lille coach)

“It’s not a secret that I was looking for one more striker, and Anelka has pace, is a good finisher and is scoring a lot of goals…..he also provides assists and can play in any system and with any other good players beside him.”
Avram Grant (Chelsea manager)

“He is a fantastic striker, he has great quality and has it all…..A good jumper, technical qualities, shoots fantastic and moves very well on the pitch. He is a great player. People should give him more importance.”
Carlo Ancelotti