Many Chelsea fans will be looking forward to the climax of the current season. It may be a few months away yet, but the way things are going they could have plenty to celebrate.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men are three points clear at the top of the Premier League, looking strong in the Champions League and bookmakers are likely to consider Chelsea FA Cup favourites. So perhaps it is no surprise that those lining the terraces at Stamford Bridge are eagerly awaiting May 2010.
Nicolas Anelka though is looking even further ahead than that. In fact, he has recently talked about the end of his career, how much longer he wants to stay at Chelsea and his plans to play abroad as he heads towards the ‘winding down’ stage of his life as a player.
However, there is no doubt that the Frenchman is focused on all things Chelsea. Speaking about the possibility of a new deal at the club, he said he would ‘love to sign for another three years’.
Anelka’s current deal expires in 2011, but this new contract would take him through until 2013. Of course suggestions of a new deal are just talk at the moment, but he will certainly believe he has done enough to earn an extended stay.
Since signing from Bolton nearly two years ago Anelka has scored 30 goals in 101 appearances. The majority of these came last season when he finished as the Premier League’s top marksman with 19 goals to his name.
He has proved valuable again this campaign and has found the net on eight occasions so far, including once in the 2-1 victory over Portsmouth last night. A goal that provided a timely boost to Chelsea’s Premier League chances. So, overall, he deserves a new deal wouldn’t you say?
The only issue is Anelka’s age. By the time 2013 comes around he will have reached 34 and not too many players can perform at the highest level when they are that old.
However, the former Real Madrid man is clearly determined to give Chelsea his all up until that point and, presuming he keeps himself in decent condition, he will probably still be a valuable member of the squad for a few years to come. He certainly won’t forget how to finish overnight!
As for his career after Chelsea, Anelka says he wants to keep playing but admits that it would mainly be for the money. He has suggested ‘the Middle East, Qatar, Abu Dhabi or the United States’ as possible destinations after he leaves the Premier League.
The striker has had a number of clubs in his time, as we all know, but he says that each experience has ‘enriched’ him. Despite this, there seems to be no doubt that he is happier than ever at Chelsea and Anelka will be hoping for plenty more success before he jets off around the World.
Blue is the colour
