Anelka - I can play with Drogba

Chelsea striker happy to share goalscoring burden

Last updated: 3rd November 2008

Anelka - I can play with Drogba

Anelka: In fine fettle

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Nicolas Anelka claims a partnership alongside Didier Drogba could prove fruitful, despite the success he has enjoyed this season as Chelsea's lone front man.

In Drogba's absence, Luiz Felipe Scolari has invested his trust in Anelka and been rewarded with nine goals from the mercurial Frenchman.

A hat-trick at the weekend against Sunderland saw Anelka move to the top of Chelsea's scoring charts and he has no intention to return to the bench once Drogba - who came on as a second-half substitute - closes on full match fitness.

However, he would be willing to share the striking mantle with his powerful Ivorian team-mate.

"Didier and I can play together but we have not done that since I have been here," said Anelka.

"We have never started together up front. If we have started together then I was either on the right or left.

"So it's a shame, because I wanted to play with him when I first signed with Chelsea, but I hope it will happen.

"I think it could work with the two of us. But it's the choice of the manager."

Tall targets

Having spent much of last season lamenting the fact he was being played out of position on the flanks, by then manager Avram Grant, Anelka credits his white hot form to being employed down the middle.

And having got the goalscoring bug back, he has set his heart on topping the charts.

"The most I have ever scored in a season is 25, for Man City. I will try to do better than that.

"But what matters is for Chelsea to win more titles."