On this day in 2008, Nicolas Anelka moved from Bolton to Chelsea.
At the age of 28, the France striker finally completed his £15 million transfer to Avram Grant’s team.
In order to overcome the loss of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou due to Africa Cup of Nations service, the Blues had been searching for more firepower.
Chelsea is a sizable team. The widely traveled Anelka, who has played for Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain, Liverpool, and Manchester City, stated, “I have shown that I can score goals at the top level and I can do the same for Chelsea.”
“I want to assure the Chelsea supporters that I will not let them down and that I view this as a fantastic chance and an honor to play for Chelsea.
“I sincerely hope that Chelsea will be the last team I play for. This is the team I really wanted to join.”
“I’m relieved that everything has been resolved. I was unable to pass up this incredible chance.
“I am really excited to work with Avram, and I think my game fits perfectly with Chelsea’s style of football.”
Anelka would go on to score 59 goals in 184 games for the Blues, and he won two FA Cups and the Premier League during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
But in the game-winning penalty kick in the 2008 Champions League final penalty shootout loss to Manchester United in Moscow, his attempt was saved.
Anelka transferred to Shanghai Shenhua from Chelsea in January 2012; he later had stints at Juventus and West Brom before concluding his career with Mumbai City, an Indian team.
Leave a Reply