Premier League - Anelka questions Everton

Eurosport - Wed, 08 Oct 15:09:00 2008

Eurosport blogger and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka mulls over how a lazy summer can impact on a club's season.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Champions League Chelsea Nicolas Anelka - 0

"I'm not going to comment on what Newcastle's stand-in manager Joe Kinnear said in that press conference, but it seemed to have some kind of effect on the players - coming from two down to draw at Everton is a good result by anyone's standards! Hopefully it will give them some confidence to build on.

On the other hand, Everton should be challenging the big teams but I did have a feeling that they would struggle to repeat last year's top-five finish. And now I really doubt they can come close to it.

They have started the season quite badly, and their recruitment in the summer did not match the level of their ambition.

Everton lost several players in important positions, but they did not bring enough of the right men in to replace them and to improve the team, while other clubs have made big signings. They will not do so well this season, I think.

Hull City, however, are a massive surprise. I hope that they continue in this way but it will be difficult because the season is long and a lot of things can happen.

They have made a very, very good start because in the summer they brought in loads of good players, players who can cut it at this level. I mean Geovanni played for Barcelona a few years ago and he is still pretty young!

I don't think their performance, and the good start by West Brom, says that the Championship is necessarily closing in on the Premier League.

What I do think it shows is that, if you are a well-run club like Hull, and you use the money you get for promotion in a clever, coherent way, that you can close the gap quite quickly.

And it also shows that the bigger clubs cannot be complacent with this kind of competition going on in the market.

Back to Chelsea, I came off during the 2-0 win against Aston Villa, but it was more of a precaution than anything else.

We have so many injuries at the moment that there was no point in risking losing another player. Joe Cole, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba, Alex, Michael Essien... It's getting a bit silly now!

I hurt myself before that match, in the Champions League draw with CFR Cluj, but it was just a little tightening in my thigh.

I suppose I could have played beyond half-time last weekend but it was decided that I should not come out for the second half in case I made it worse. The whole team played a really strong match and, after the game against Cluj, we were able to get back to a good level of play.

It is true that we have a lot of injuries at the moment, but we cannot complain too much because that is what happens in football and we have a strong squad to help in these times.

The short break we are getting for the international games should do us some good and we will try to hit the ground running on our return."

Nicolas Anelka / Eurosport

Comment 24 - 43 of 63

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  1. doubt it!

    From doubt.it.man, on Wed 8 Oct 4:43PM

  2. to chris c 10 years glory and the rest keep counting the years

    From mike413@..., on Wed 8 Oct 4:25PM

  3. Who the f--k do you think you are ANELKA,YOU KNOW NOTHING OF TEAMWORK OR ETHICS!!!always just a greedy glory hunting @#$%..Everton may not be a glamour club,but i am so glad i support an honest club,with honest players.Break a leg sulky..Born an Evertonian not manafactured!!!!!

    From steveo, on Wed 8 Oct 4:04PM

  4. I agree with Anelka's comments on Everton's stuttering progress this season. I believe the Club did over-achieve last season but did prove that if a team is resolute in defence and work hard together things can be achieved. This season Everton has failed to play as a team and their defence is so fragile and consequently confidence has seeped away. Unless Everton improve they could well be relegation fodder in the new year. No team is too big to go down!

    From WILLIAM, on Wed 8 Oct 3:50PM

  5. I am a utd fan and despise chelsea especially arrogant england overated twats lampard and terry but i dont mind anelka. He is a muslim like me so much be alright.

    From qasim7uk, on Wed 8 Oct 3:22PM

  6. Leodo,

    Don't you remember 2005 champions league.....Liverpool was victourious

    From keith, on Wed 8 Oct 3:02PM

  7. Why anyone would bother to listen to this Mercenary is beyond me.
    How many clubs has this joker been too?
    God knows and when he want to leave he blames it on his brothers.

    The man is an arse.

    Oh and by the way, Enjoy your money and success Chelsea.
    It's nice to see you doing well.
    but don't pretend you have history, Villa have more history then you.

    You more or less did nothing till daddy war bucks brought you.
    His own village lives in poverty, while he spends his money on football and boats.
    Classy!!!!!!!!

    From Keith J, on Wed 8 Oct 2:42PM

  8. leodeliveries72 - “why is there always some one who always brings up what liverpool of yesteryear have won!
    its all great what what ever club has won in the past
    what have they done since?”

    Well since the start of the decade, Liverpool have won the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the FA cup twice, the League Cup twice, the UEFA Super Cup twice. Not bad for a club of yesteryear!

    From ian, on Wed 8 Oct 2:41PM

  9. #32
    A rednose pot-counter... how unusual...

    From David, on Wed 8 Oct 2:33PM

  10. why is there always some one who always brings up what liverpool of yesteryear have won!
    its all great what what ever club has won in the past
    what have they done since?
    not got the premiership crown or did i blink and miss that one
    and before you start saying i must be a glory hunter chelsea or man u fan
    i am not, i am a suffering spurs fan

    From Les O, on Wed 8 Oct 2:02PM

  11. True words Nicolas

    From zenithbankniginc, on Wed 8 Oct 12:45PM

  12. Chris C,

    With all due respect to Chelsea, i think they have got a while before they beat or are in any league to what Liverpool have won. The honours are written in the History books. Look for yourself.

    * League[22] titles: 18
    o 1900-01, 1905-06, 1921-22, 1922-23, 1946-47, 1963-64, 1965-66, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90

    * European Cups and UEFA Champions League[2] titles: 5

    * UEFA Cups: 3

    * FA Cups: 7
    o 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006

    * League Cups: 7
    o 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003
    * Community Shields[23]: 15
    o 1964 (shared), 1965 (shared), 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977 (shared), 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986 (shared), 1988, 1989, 1990 (shared), 2001, 2006
    * UEFA Super Cups: 3
    o 1977, 2001, 2005

    Don't be fooled by any loyalty given by Abramovich. For as long as he's got that thing between his legs there is always a danger, just ask his very wealthy ex wife.

    Think on !!

    From ryan.peter39, on Wed 8 Oct 12:42PM

  13. How can he be critical of Evertons transfers? one word..... Shevchenko

    From Jonathan, on Wed 8 Oct 12:32PM

  14. People people, surely we are past the fantasy idea that Roman is simply going to wake up one day and decide to up sticks. Roman's not going anywhere, he's invested millions and he's tied to it emotionally too. And even at some point down the line, he does leave, Chelsea will be fine - they have the fourth largest turnover in the world I think? Be realistic, it doesn't disappear over night. 10 glory years is enough to sustain a football team for half a century - just look at Liverpool.

    From Chris C, on Wed 8 Oct 12:28PM

  15. What's with the goal celebration ???? I must confess that I don't pay much attention to him but when he's running round pretending to be butterfly, this really annoys me. Can someone explain why he does this ? is it because he is French !

    From ryan.peter39, on Wed 8 Oct 12:26PM

  16. Anelka is spot on about Everton. We should be challenging for a top four spot and not setting ourselves up for a relegation dog-fight

    From Cannaid Draig, on Wed 8 Oct 12:21PM

  17. well if he does blog on here then you know he will be reading these blogs so hello to you nic and everybody who is moaning about him then you need to watch more football as he is a top player bloody hell he has racked up some money in his career he has to be good to do that so dont dis the nic!!

    From chris, on Wed 8 Oct 12:19PM

  18. Anelka, why don't you buy yourself and just crazily hv sots in the game?

    From hoipavillage, on Wed 8 Oct 12:18PM

  19. perhaps he could advise on how to take the perfect penalty kick. HeHe

    From David, on Wed 8 Oct 12:05PM

  20. Here Here !!! Let's just see how many Chelsea fans turn up once the money has dried up. Cos it will. Premier League bubble ready for bursting !!

    From ryan.peter39, on Wed 8 Oct 12:03PM
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