Anelka happy with his international exile

Chelsea striker has more time for family now.

LONDON:

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is happy to be in international exile following France’s 2010 World Cup debacle which saw him banned for 18 matches.

The temperamental 32-year-old triggered a meltdown at last year’s World Cup, when his expulsion led to team-mates calling an ill-judged strike before France were dumped out in the first round. Anelka was later banned for 18 matches – effectively ending his international career – although the player claimed he had already decided to quit playing for Les Bleus.

“I don’t miss it, I am glad to be out of it,” said Anelka. “It can help to not play, you play less games so it’s perfect to be off and to think about something else then come back fresh to the club.

“You get some family life, go to Paris, wherever you want with your family, it is perfect, but I used to be like this when I played for Manchester City and in the beginning at Bolton, so I know this situation and I like it. I really don’t think about the national team or playing games.”

Anelka has spent the bulk of his career playing in England since bursting onto the scene as a teenager with Arsenal with whom he won a Premier League and Cup double before later joining Real Madrid.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2011.