Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Shanghai ShenhuaShanghai Shenhua
Nicolas Anelka
Date of Birth:14 Mar 1979 (Age 33)
Place of Birth:Versailles
Nationality:France
Height:184 cm.
Weight:77 Kg.
Position:Striker
Squad Number:39
More On :  France, Nicolas Anelka
EPL: Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea - Sunderland (Getty Images)
Believe it or not, Nicolas Anelka will only play his first World Cup in South Africa. Despite being a talent recognised all over the world, the ex-PSG striker had a lot of difficulties with the French team and his career in general. He made some very bad choices because he was so often influenced by his brothers, who were his agents for a long period. However, he eventually matured into the prolific striker we now witness.

He still has speed in his arsenal as a 31-year-old. Anelka is considered a kind of "10 and a half" or a "9 and a half" player, a second striker. He is capable of playing on the right, but it is not his natural position. He prefers to play as a central striker.

Raymond Domenech gave him the chance to come back to the national team a few years ago and since then he was always a model for others on the pitch. He can be influential and when he is in good form you can be sure that the French team will win. He is an essential player for Les Bleus.


Did you know?

Arsene Wenger said that Anelka is most talented young striker he had at Arsenal. England may remember that he scored twice against the Three Lions for France in a 2-1 friendly win at Wembley.

Awards and Honours

European Championship winner (2000)
Champions League winner (2000), finalist (2008)
C3 winner (1996)
Premier League champion (1998)
Turkey champion (2005)
FA Cup winner (1998, 2009)
Best goal scorer Premier League (2008-2009)
Golden Boot award (2008)

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