Anelka eyes long Blues stay

Frenchman settled at Stamford Bridge

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 26th March 2008

Anelka Nicolas

Anelka: Happy at Chelsea

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Nicolas Anelka has insisted that he is settled at Chelsea and would be happy to stay beyond the end of his contract.

The Frenchman moved to Stamford Bridge from Bolton in January but has found it difficult to establish himself as a regular in the side.

He has been played out of position on the left wing by Avram Grant and he admits it has not been the ideal start to his Blues career.

But Anelka is glad to be at such a big club and is planning to stay for a long time to come.

"I am already very happy to have signed for a club like Chelsea. I have been waiting for that since my departure from Liverpool six years ago," the 29-year-old told L'Equipe.

"Even if I don't always play in the centre, that is not so serious. With the number of matches we are playing, there has not been a lot of time to work on my partnership with Didier Drogba.

"Am I keen to play regularly on the left flank? No of course, especially because I have never played on the left before in England.

No trouble

"People who have worked with me know my qualities are in the centre and I believe the Chelsea coach knows it.

"He uses me alone on the centre or on the flank, but it is not a big trouble to me so far.

"I will be 32 at the end of my Chelsea contract. If they want to keep me I will stay.

"Otherwise you never know. I can move to USA or come back to Paris Saint Germain. It is an option I can't exclude."

Confident

Anelka is set to play for France in Wednesday's friendly against England following the withdrawals of Karim Benzema and Thierry Henry.

He does not believe Raymond Domenech has decided on his first-choice strike-force and is confident he will have a key part to play at Euro 2008.

Anelka said: "To me, there is not a hierarchy in the French team. We could have a partnership with Benzema and myself or a system with the three of us.

"Moreover, you can start the competition with two forwards and finish with two other ones. Domenech is just like the Chelsea coach. He is spoilt for choice."