Football: Chinese club interested in Anelka

LONDON: Chinese Super League (CSL) club Shanghai Shenhua have confirmed they have ‘asked about’ the availability of Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, with media reports suggesting he will move to Asia in January. Anelka has only started three Premier League matches for the Blues this season and has claimed just one goal in 14 appearances in all competitions. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he has been heavily tipped to leave Chelsea. “We asked about Anelka,” confirmed a Shanghai Shenhua official. “We know he could leave Chelsea next summer.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2011.