Chelsea's French striker, Nicolas Anelka, has declared that he is 'glad to be out of' international football.
Chelsea striker has no plans to return to international arena
Nicolas Anelka has declared that he is 'glad to be out of' international football and has no plans to play for France again.
The Chelsea striker was hit with an 18-match suspension for his role in the controversial mutiny against France head coach Raymond Domenech at the World Cup.
Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery have both served bans for their part in the protest against Domenech's reign and are now playing for Les Bleus again.
Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Anelka admitted last summer that he wanted to quit international football despite the departure of Domenech, who has been replaced by Laurent Blanc.
And his views have not changed even though Blanc may want to consider Anelka for the Euro 2012 finals, when his ban will have come to an end.
"I don't miss it, I am glad to be out of it," Anelka told Chelsea's
official website.
"Of course it can help to not play, you play less games so it is perfect to be off and to think about something else for one or two weeks then come back fresh to the club.
"You get some family life, go to Paris, wherever you want with your family, it is perfect, but I used to be like this when I played for City and in the beginning at Bolton, so I know this situation and I like it.
"I really don't think about the national team or playing games."
Tough draw
Chelsea travel to Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday before hosting Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final next Wednesday.
Anelka admits the draw could not have been much harder for Chelsea, but is looking forward to locking horns with familiar rivals.
"We know them but I don't think it's a good draw because they are a good team and difficult to beat with a lot of quality players," Anelka said.
"But, if you want to win the Champions League you have to beat good teams.
"These two games with Manchester United will feel like Premier League games, we have already played them in so many games so these will be the same, and we will just have to see what happens."
