Anelka keen to end his career at Chelsea

The Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is very happy to have scored his first goal of the season against Fulham yesterday, and says he loves the club and wants to stay for the rest of his career.

“Before I came to Chelsea, I have always stated I wanted to play in a big club,” he said in L’Equipe.

“Today I don’t want to move anymore. I am very happy here, to play and score for the club.

“I love Chelsea, I love the players I play with, I love playing in the Champions League and I want to stay here as long as possible. Now we will see what will happen.”

This looks like another statement from Anelka as he and his agent are trying to persuade Chelsea to give him an improved extended contract. He has two years left, and Chelsea seem to be holding off talks until next summer.

Anelka was dropped for the win against Sunderland as Ancelotti tried out his Christmas Tree formation for the first time, and he understands that the Italian coach will be changing the team on a regular basis.

He said: “I was not surprised to be on the bench against Sunderland. The coach said; ‘I will give some rest to some players, and I was part of that.

“I enjoyed seeing Chelsea win the game – it was good. The most important thing is to win with Chelsea.

“Of course everyone wants to play every game, but the manager said some games he will change the players and get some people to rest and we have to accept it.

“It’s important because it’s a long season and we need everybody in the squad.”

It is very sensible of Ancelotti to use the full extent of the squad with so many star players in it, but he will have to decide which is his best team when we get down to the serious games in the Champions League and against other top teams in the Premier League matches.

But it all seems to be going to plan so far!