Sammy Lee expects Nicolas Anelka to start next season at Bolton.
Sammy Lee has told Sky Sports News that he expects Nicolas Anelka to start next season at Bolton.Anelka has been the subject of much speculation this summer with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Valencia and Lyon all linked with a move for the French striker.
However, the former Real Madrid front-man pledged his future to The Trotters over the weekend after holding talks with Lee.
Bolton are preparing for the new Premier League season by competing in the Peace Cup in South Korea and Anelka, along with the rest of Lee's first-team squad, will be involved in the tournament.
Newcastle are Bolton's opponents to start the new season and Lee is confident Anelka will be lining up against Sam Allardyce's side on the opening day.
Asked if Anelka would be at The Reebok Stadium come 11th August, he said: "I would hope so, he's coming away with us to Korea so I sincerely hope that he's going to start with us."
Lee added: "People asked about Nicolas' commitment but he signed here for four years so there's no problem with his commitment.
"What he has said, and I can fully understand him, is that at the stage of his career he wants Champions League football and we'd like him to achieve that with Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
"He'll certainly help us to try and do that.
"If it can't happen and the opportunity came for him to join one of the top four clubs, although we're trying to get into that, then as a football club although he's committed to us it would be wrong of us to stand in his way.
"While he's here he'll be fully committed to the cause."
Jussi Jaaskelainen is another Bolton player whose future has been much talked about since the end of last season, but Lee says the goalkeeper is going nowhere.
"Jussi Jaaskelainen is our goalkeeper, he has one more year at the football club, end of," Lee said. "He's contracted to Bolton Wanderers Football Club."
