When Chelsea signed Nicolas Anelka from Bolton earlier this year, the player had the following to say:

"I am really looking forward to working with Avram (Grant) and Chelsea's style of football really suits my game. Chelsea is the team I really wanted to join and I hope this will be the last club that I play for."

Meanwhile, his manager dismissed talk that the striker had an attitude problem, stating:

"I was asked to take one of the first five kicks. But I said: 'That is out of the question, I have come on basically as a right-back and you want me to take a penalty'" - Nicolas Anelka


"Nicolas had a bad reputation 10 years ago, but he has learned from his mistakes and he has changed.''

However, can a leopard really change its spots? Especially one that can list Arsenal, PSG, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Fenerbahce as former clubs, even before hitting the age of 30? Just a few short months after signing on the dotted line for £15million and declaring he was here for the long haul, Anelka has thrown his toys well and truly out of the pram. Indeed, they are so far out of the pram as to potentially be irretrievable. Can you really say the following and get away with it?

"I was asked to take one of the first five kicks. But I said: 'That is out of the question, I have come on basically as a right-back and you want me to take a penalty.'"

"I didn't come here to play on the left or right. When I came here, people told me I would play in a 4-4-2. In England, I no longer need to prove that I am better through the middle. Since I arrived, I haven't played in my position. Never as a number nine, always on the left or the right. Until now, I haven't said anything. I was a newcomer, I haven't wanted to make a story out of it because I still didn't know the club. But from next season, I insist I will no longer be the little newcomer."

Fighting talk indeed from the Frenchman, although it’s difficult to see whichever poor sod is picked to replace Grant taking these comments thoughtfully on board and making sure the striker is the first name on the team-sheet every week. It doesn’t really work like that, Nic, especially if you have demonstrated on the greatest stage that you’re not ready to come on as a substitute and take a penalty for your team. This is despite Le Sulk being the first-choice penalty taker at Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers.

Two things are likely to now happen. Either Anelka retracts his comments (hardly likely, given his previous form) or Chelsea get shot of a player who has managed just two goals for the Blues since joining in January. It’s hard to see any of the other top Premier League clubs touching him with a bargepole and, while he claims that his tag of being a stroppy brat is unfair, evidence continues to point to the contrary.