By now we’ve all heard the news that Chelsea have accepted transfer requests from both Nicolas Anelka and centre-back Alex. Naturally this has caused a great deal of speculation as to where these two stars could end up. On the Tottenham side of things wouldn’t it be just typical of Harry Redknapp to bring in a striker like Anelka and wouldn’t it be an astute move?
Whilst Emmanuel Adebayor may not be at the club for the long run, the thought of a partnership between him and Anelka is (to me at least) mouth-watering.
Of course all this depends on what view of Anelka you take. Some may suggest his best days are behind him, that his pace has gone and that he doesn’t have enough to offer Tottenham. That’s not my take however. Yes he may be getting on in years, but his quality is still evident and he’s a natural goal scorer. After all, players with a good deal of technical ability like Anelka are capable of playing longer than those who rely mainly on their pace.
At 33-years-old surely Anelka has a couple more years at the top of his game? Chelsea made the mistake of spending £50m on Fernando Torres, meaning that he had to be played and Anelka paid the price for Abramovich’s error. Despite his quality he hasn’t had his fair share of games and it only makes sense that he’d look to move on this January.
Chelsea should be willing to let him go for a reasonable price, given that they’ve accepted his transfer request and that his contract will be up in the summer. I’ve seen him valued at around £5-6m by various sources and if Harry could engineer a deal around that kind of ballpark, whilst making sure Anelka doesn’t demand astronomical wages, I’d be happy to see him at White Hart Lane.
There is of course, the old Arsenal connection, but it’s been so long since Anelka was a Gunner that it’s hardly worth considering. Nowadays he has more of a reputation for being a bit of a journeyman (or dare I say it: mercenary) but he has reached the stage of his career where he has to negotiate his last major contract.
So wouldn’t it make sense for him to join Spurs?
What’s your take? Should Tottenham take advantage of the Chelsea exodus by bringing Anelka to the club?
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Yes Chelsea would love to strengthen there main rival wouldnt they. They might even give us Mata and Drogba if we ask nicely! Not a chance in hell of getting Anelka, Move on.
Stupid article from start to finish. Point one:-) If he isnt good enough for chelscum any longer, why would he therefore be good enough for Spurs. We already have either JD or VDV to accompany Ade up front anyway.
Point two:-) what difference does it make if Anelka once played for the arse, we already have William Gallas and Ade, both are ex gooners, they had Sol and Pat Jennings in the past but to name but a few who have crossed the divide either ways.
Point three:-) Anelka does not represent value for money, at 33 years of age he would have at best a season left if that perhaps even less with the speed that we attack, he would be burnt out trying to keep up and as a forward he would most definitely have to. NO, I for one do not want him anywhere near WHL as a member of our squad nor his fat mate Lampard.
Well said Ray.
Irrelevant article. He has always played for money and has been offered 8.6 million a year so he is off Middle East way in January.
All part of the Modric to Chelsea Scam they just won’t stop trying to find a way to encourage us to give him up
ALEX WOULD BE A DECENT BUY HARRY , ANELKA IS OLD AND HE MIGHT WANT A FORTUNE CAHILL IS NOT A CENTRE SPURS WOULD WANT , PULL OUT ALL THE GUNS HARRY AND GET DAMIAO HE IS PURE CLASS !!!!!!!!!