Anelka: Signed

WingsForDinner · 01-07-2008, 07:21 PM

So we see the beginning of the end for Nicolas Anelka at the Reebok, and along with it the potential end of the Trotters' Premier League existence.

Chelsea have posted on their homepage (Landing Page | Chelsea) that they have put in a bid for Nicolas Anelka, and SoccerNet has confirmed it has been rejected. BBC speculates the bid to be around £12 million, whilst Bolton is looking for closer to £19 million for Anelka. His estimated valuation by outside sources puts him closer to £10 million on the whole.

Chelsea are expected to continue to submit bids over the next 24 hours in hopes of locking up Anelka by tomorrow to ensure he is available immediately, as they are currently down to two strikers, one of which is injured.

Bolton, meanwhile, have been rumored to be looking at former Liverpool striker Djibrill Cisse to replace Anelka, according to reports from Sky Sports News. No reports have been released regarding the validity of these rumors, or Cisse's interest in moving back into the English Premier League.

Sources:

Landing Page | Chelsea
BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Bolton Wanderers | Bolton reject Chelsea Anelka bid
ESPNsoccernet - England - Bolton reject Chelsea bid for striker Anelka
Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | News | Blues fail in Anelka bid
Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | Bolton Wanderers | Cisse could make Prem return

Not Good

Jay · 01-07-2008, 11:10 PM

Bolton is continuing to reject Chelsea's offers, so I'm hoping that he gets to stick it out there. I was hoping that Chelsea would have a void to fill after Drogba gets shipped out. Doesn't look like that's gonna happen anymore.

WingsForDinner · 01-08-2008, 01:25 AM

I don't see Anelka sticking it out if Chelsea are so adamant about signing him. It was basically the same thing with Tal Ben Haim last year, and while they didn't get him when they made the first approach, he did sign immediately after the season's conclusion. I'm fairly positive that if he isn't snapped up here in this spell, he will be come summer time, when all of the big four can get back into the bidding at full swing.

While I'm ranting, I might as well point out the other fundamental flaw I see with these "elite level" players that refuse to sign for anyone but the big clubs. What they seem to forget is that, yes, they'll get their payday and their status as being a part of a big club, but players like them, on a club like that are a dime a dozen, as the saying goes. They're just going to wind up on the bench disappointing like Andriy Schevchenko and company. Yes, it's fine to want to play cup football, it's an ambition that all players should have, but if you're just another trick in the bag, what's the point? Why not join a fringe team like Bolton and try to help them make an impact? For one, you're basically guaranteed a spot in the starting eleven game in and game out. That, after all, is what they're there for, right? Anelka got it right by signing with Bolton, but he's way off-track by thinking joining Chelsea or Man United for the five weeks or so that he'll actually be useful to them will actually bring results for him.

It just seems a bit off that all of the big players think along those lines...

Jay · 01-08-2008, 03:04 PM

That's the biggest reason why I don't like to see these guys going to Chelsea. Instead of getting to watch good players every Saturday for various teams, some great talents are getting stuck on the bench or in a logjam. Just look at Chelsea's midfield: Lampard, Cole, Ballack, Essien, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Mikel, Malouda (it was even worse when Robben was in there).

Actually this feels a lot like when Shaun Wright-Phillips went to Chelsea from Man City.

WingsForDinner · 01-08-2008, 04:24 PM

Aye, a "sign him quick because we're desperate" move that's going to result in Nicolas Anelka sitting the bench once the Cup of Nations is finished.

I would LOVE to see Essien in a uniform other than Chelsea's. He's such a talented player that could be so much more if it weren't for Chelsea being Chelsea...

WingsForDinner · 01-09-2008, 11:51 AM

No deal in place, yet, but Grant is insisting that Chelsea will have Anelka in place for Saturday's game.

Gary Megson is still keen to hold onto Anelka and is hoping Chelsea won't meet the valuation of Nicolas in their continued offers. Bolton have also now begun stating their interest in two other players they would like to bring into the squad in Bobo Balde and Grettar Steinsson, along with Matthew Taylor should they ever be given the chance to hold talks with him.

The rumors of Bolton being interested in Djibril Cisse seem to be in some jeopardy now, with Marseilles explaining that they will not let Cisse leave, regardless of potential offers. Manchester city had their offer rejected immediately, and this has Cisse's agent furious, looking to hold talks with Diouf in the extremely near future to discuss Djibril Cisse's ability to leave the club as he chooses.

...lots of drama, but still not action...

WingsForDinner · 01-11-2008, 12:59 PM

Anelka has now officially signed with Chelsea.

Bolton have also confirmed that they have ended their pursuit of Bobo Balde, despite coming close to signing him as early as this morning.

01-07-2008, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
WingsForDinner Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 406	Anelka: Signed So we see the beginning of the end for Nicolas Anelka at the Reebok, and along with it the potential end of the Trotters' Premier League existence. Chelsea have posted on their homepage (Landing Page \| Chelsea) that they have put in a bid for Nicolas Anelka, and SoccerNet has confirmed it has been rejected. BBC speculates the bid to be around £12 million, whilst Bolton is looking for closer to £19 million for Anelka. His estimated valuation by outside sources puts him closer to £10 million on the whole. Chelsea are expected to continue to submit bids over the next 24 hours in hopes of locking up Anelka by tomorrow to ensure he is available immediately, as they are currently down to two strikers, one of which is injured. Bolton, meanwhile, have been rumored to be looking at former Liverpool striker Djibrill Cisse to replace Anelka, according to reports from Sky Sports News. No reports have been released regarding the validity of these rumors, or Cisse's interest in moving back into the English Premier League. Sources: Landing Page \| Chelsea BBC SPORT \| Football \| My Club \| Bolton Wanderers \| Bolton reject Chelsea Anelka bid ESPNsoccernet - England - Bolton reject Chelsea bid for striker Anelka Sky Sports \| Football \| Premier League \| News \| Blues fail in Anelka bid Sky Sports \| Football \| Premier League \| Bolton Wanderers \| Cisse could make Prem return Not Good __________________ Bolton Wanderers: 1(w) - 1(d) - 1(l) = 4(pts) Dallas Stars: 45(w) - 30(l) - 7(otl) = 97(pts) ----------------------------------- New To FanHome? Please Register For Your Free Account Today! Be Sure To Read: FanHome Community Standards Moderating: Football / Futbol / Soccer, NHL General, and NHL Pacific Division Last edited by WingsForDinner; 01-07-2008 at 07:23 PM.

01-08-2008, 01:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
WingsForDinner Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 406	I don't see Anelka sticking it out if Chelsea are so adamant about signing him. It was basically the same thing with Tal Ben Haim last year, and while they didn't get him when they made the first approach, he did sign immediately after the season's conclusion. I'm fairly positive that if he isn't snapped up here in this spell, he will be come summer time, when all of the big four can get back into the bidding at full swing. While I'm ranting, I might as well point out the other fundamental flaw I see with these "elite level" players that refuse to sign for anyone but the big clubs. What they seem to forget is that, yes, they'll get their payday and their status as being a part of a big club, but players like them, on a club like that are a dime a dozen, as the saying goes. They're just going to wind up on the bench disappointing like Andriy Schevchenko and company. Yes, it's fine to want to play cup football, it's an ambition that all players should have, but if you're just another trick in the bag, what's the point? Why not join a fringe team like Bolton and try to help them make an impact? For one, you're basically guaranteed a spot in the starting eleven game in and game out. That, after all, is what they're there for, right? Anelka got it right by signing with Bolton, but he's way off-track by thinking joining Chelsea or Man United for the five weeks or so that he'll actually be useful to them will actually bring results for him. It just seems a bit off that all of the big players think along those lines... __________________ Bolton Wanderers: 1(w) - 1(d) - 1(l) = 4(pts) Dallas Stars: 45(w) - 30(l) - 7(otl) = 97(pts) ----------------------------------- New To FanHome? Please Register For Your Free Account Today! Be Sure To Read: FanHome Community Standards Moderating: Football / Futbol / Soccer, NHL General, and NHL Pacific Division

01-08-2008, 04:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
WingsForDinner Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 406	Aye, a "sign him quick because we're desperate" move that's going to result in Nicolas Anelka sitting the bench once the Cup of Nations is finished. I would LOVE to see Essien in a uniform other than Chelsea's. He's such a talented player that could be so much more if it weren't for Chelsea being Chelsea... __________________ Bolton Wanderers: 1(w) - 1(d) - 1(l) = 4(pts) Dallas Stars: 45(w) - 30(l) - 7(otl) = 97(pts) ----------------------------------- New To FanHome? Please Register For Your Free Account Today! Be Sure To Read: FanHome Community Standards Moderating: Football / Futbol / Soccer, NHL General, and NHL Pacific Division

01-09-2008, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
WingsForDinner Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 406	No deal in place, yet, but Grant is insisting that Chelsea will have Anelka in place for Saturday's game. Gary Megson is still keen to hold onto Anelka and is hoping Chelsea won't meet the valuation of Nicolas in their continued offers. Bolton have also now begun stating their interest in two other players they would like to bring into the squad in Bobo Balde and Grettar Steinsson, along with Matthew Taylor should they ever be given the chance to hold talks with him. The rumors of Bolton being interested in Djibril Cisse seem to be in some jeopardy now, with Marseilles explaining that they will not let Cisse leave, regardless of potential offers. Manchester city had their offer rejected immediately, and this has Cisse's agent furious, looking to hold talks with Diouf in the extremely near future to discuss Djibril Cisse's ability to leave the club as he chooses. ...lots of drama, but still not action... __________________ Bolton Wanderers: 1(w) - 1(d) - 1(l) = 4(pts) Dallas Stars: 45(w) - 30(l) - 7(otl) = 97(pts) ----------------------------------- New To FanHome? Please Register For Your Free Account Today! Be Sure To Read: FanHome Community Standards Moderating: Football / Futbol / Soccer, NHL General, and NHL Pacific Division

01-11-2008, 12:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
WingsForDinner Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 406	Anelka has now officially signed with Chelsea. Bolton have also confirmed that they have ended their pursuit of Bobo Balde, despite coming close to signing him as early as this morning. __________________ Bolton Wanderers: 1(w) - 1(d) - 1(l) = 4(pts) Dallas Stars: 45(w) - 30(l) - 7(otl) = 97(pts) ----------------------------------- New To FanHome? Please Register For Your Free Account Today! Be Sure To Read: FanHome Community Standards Moderating: Football / Futbol / Soccer, NHL General, and NHL Pacific Division

01-07-2008, 11:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jay Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester/Buffalo Posts: 21	Bolton is continuing to reject Chelsea's offers, so I'm hoping that he gets to stick it out there. I was hoping that Chelsea would have a void to fill after Drogba gets shipped out. Doesn't look like that's gonna happen anymore.

01-08-2008, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jay Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester/Buffalo Posts: 21	That's the biggest reason why I don't like to see these guys going to Chelsea. Instead of getting to watch good players every Saturday for various teams, some great talents are getting stuck on the bench or in a logjam. Just look at Chelsea's midfield: Lampard, Cole, Ballack, Essien, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Mikel, Malouda (it was even worse when Robben was in there). Actually this feels a lot like when Shaun Wright-Phillips went to Chelsea from Man City.