Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Sébastien Anelka (born 14 March 1979) is a French former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is widely regarded as one of the best French strikers of his generation.

Anelka began his career at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Coupe de France in 1998. He then moved to Arsenal, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1998. He also won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2007 and 2010.

Anelka was a member of the French national team from 1998 to 2010, making 69 appearances and scoring 14 goals. He helped France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 UEFA European Championship.

Early life and career

Anelka was born in Le Chesnay, Yvelines, a suburb of Paris. He began playing football at a young age and joined the youth academy of Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 13. He made his professional debut for the club in 1996 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young players in France.

Arsenal

In 1997, Anelka moved to Arsenal for a fee of £500,000. He quickly became a key player for the club, scoring 27 goals in his first season and helping the team win the Premier League and FA Cup double. He was also named PFA Young Player of the Year.

Real Madrid and Liverpool

In 1999, Anelka moved to Real Madrid for a fee of £23 million. He had a disappointing season at the club, scoring only four goals in 23 appearances. He was then loaned to Liverpool for the 2001–02 season, where he scored 15 goals in 36 appearances.

Manchester City and Chelsea

In 2002, Anelka moved to Manchester City for a fee of £13 million. He spent two seasons at the club, scoring 37 goals in 89 appearances. In 2008, he moved to Chelsea for a fee of £15 million. He won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2007 and 2010, and also won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2008–09.

Later career

After leaving Chelsea in 2012, Anelka played for Shanghai Shenhua, Juventus, West Bromwich Albion, Mumbai City, and Hyderabad FC. He retired from professional football in 2015.

International career

Anelka made his debut for the French national team in 1998. He was a member of the team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 UEFA European Championship. He also played for France at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 UEFA European Championship.

Honours

Club

• Paris Saint-Germain
  • Coupe de France: 1997–98
• Arsenal
  • Premier League: 1997–98
  • FA Cup: 1997–98
• Real Madrid
  • UEFA Champions League: 1999–2000
  • Copa del Rey: 1999–2000
• Chelsea
  • Premier League: 2009–10
  • FA Cup: 2006–07, 2009–10
  • Community Shield: 2009
• Shanghai Shenhua
  • Chinese Super League: 2008

International

• France
  • FIFA World Cup: 1998
  • UEFA European Championship: 2000

Individual

• PFA Young Player of the Year: 1998–99
• Premier League Golden Boot: 2008–09