Anelka edges closer to the Bridge
Nicolas Anelka’s move to Chelsea appears to be edging ever closer as news leaked that he has been left out of the Bolton side to face Sheffield United in the FA Cup today [source]. That would of course mean that Anelka is not cup-tied in the competition - the first real clue that the striker is on his way.
Megson is claiming the move is to rest players for the fight for Premiership survival but with Kevin Davies also suspended it has meant throwing in Vaz Te for his first appearance in months against Bolton’s Championship opponents.
Chelsea are the clear front runners for Anelka’s signature with Man City apparently resigned to losing out on the race according to other reports today. Valuation of the player is still an issue, although Anelka is now rumoured to be “just waiting” for the deal to go through.
The need for a new striker at Chelsea is underlined by the fact that Avram Grant is contemplating selecting Drogba for their tie with QPR because Shevchenko is ruled out with a calf injury. Drogba will depart for the African Cup of Nations after this weekend, as will Kalou, Obi and Essien.
Chim chimminee chim chimminee, chim chim che-ree, who needs Anelka when we’ve got Ade!!
I’m sticking well clear of this Anelka situation (unless he scores 5 goals in his first 2 games!), and will stick happily with Adebayor being my main striker. The current line-up is looking pretty promising at the moment actually, and I’ve made up a lot of ground on the leaders in my group after a fairly average start to the season. It is:
GK: James
DF: Alex, Laursen, R.Ferdinand, Clichy
MF: Gerrard, Fabregas, Cahill, Ronaldo(c)
ST: Kitson, Adebayor
subs: Hart, McCartney, Forsell, Leadbitter
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Who should I leave out this gameweek?
Bentley, Gerrard, Fabregas, Cahill, Petrov
Torres, Santa Cruz, Berbatov
Why can’t you play with two defenders!!!
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Chelsea are also interested in Branislav Ivanović (defender from Lokomotiv) and only have one slot available to add to their Champions League roster (that has also played in this years UEFA Cup) so it will be interesting to see if defense trumps offense. Conceivably Chelsea could pick up Berbatov/Anelka and the defender Ivanović but only one would be eligible for the Champions League (those reducing the seconds signing value to Chelsea).
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It appears you can’t delete or edit a comment. I last portion of the last sentence is supposed to read:
(thus reducing the second signings value to Chelsea)
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Gary Neville expected back for Newcastle at home on the 12th? After browns suspension is up is Neville looking at replacing brown or just rotation?
Why stay clear of Anelka Sam? He will be getting more opportunities to score in a Chelsea shirt. And not only will the African nations keep Kalou and Drogba out of the picture for a while, but Shevchenko has picked up an injury and Pizarro wouldn’t be ahead of him in the pecking order anyway. Still that’s a nice team you have there, to bring in Anelka I would guess you would have to mess with it unless you have some money in the bank.
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Any news on Ryan Taylor’s injury? I was going to bring him in for the game with Derby, but I guess I’ll go with Bramble now.
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@ waggy,I wanna get rid of Brown too cos I really think he’s gonna go to Newcastle! (Any word on this Mark?)
Thinking about bringing in an Everton or Portsmouth defender
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How old is G Neville now? Will Fergie be happy to stick him back in? Can he still hack the pace? Who would the back up to Neville be if he lets Brown go?
I’d be surprised if Berbatov moves anywhere- he’s way too overpriced…
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I can’t see them buying another RB now, they have Brown (still), G.Neville, Pique, Simpson and O’Shea that can all play there
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A. Ferguson has sadi that there will be no jan signings and as name says there is enough cover there regardless of whether Brown comes back in or is sold. My thought is that G Nev would return to the starting line-up as first choice as he is still club captain.
Thoughts on replacing Brown? I am tempted to save up some money and bring in Baines, it appears likely he may fill in at left mid as Pinnear is at ACN. Can anyone with more Everton knowledge confirm? What about when Osman returns to fitness or if they sign Fernandes again?
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Is Anelka going to sign before next weekend?
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Thats often a problem for chelsea. other clubs know they have the money and often hold out for a better deal, which chelsea eventualy pay. look at the whole a cole saga, that carried on til near the end of the transfer window.
im not saying it wont happen by this weekend, but inevitable it will take longer than they want it too. i wouldnt b surprised if he hadnt signed by next wkend.
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@ sam. Aye good point, though if G. Nevile is fit and is to be starting (as tim said, he is club cpt after all) then it would be a good call to bring him in before the next game week starts as a straight swap for brown who is suspended for the next game anyway. He costs .1 less than brown as well which would probably shoot up to his original value if he becomes a regular starter.
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I also have Brown and wil probably transfer him out this week. Neville or Senderos? Either that or I swap Tevez for Adebayor. What should I do?
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oops that was supposed to read @ Chris. Why cant you edit your posts on here! A simple forum with threads linked to the articles on the main page would be nice feature.
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Yeah Waggy Iwas thinking exactly that but looking at the fixtures I think a Ports defender will bank bigger points over the next few matches. ..but yeah, if you buy Neville now before he plays then you will bank some decent cash!
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Have a tricky choice…
Who should I select from Berbatov and Torres?
I have Anelka, but i’m going to see if he joins Chelsea.
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My defence has got some uncertainty attached to it at the moment - Phil Neville; Martin Laursen; Sam Hyypia; Noe Pamarot; Wes Brown.
Hyppia played yesterday in the FA Cup so I’m happy to hold onto him with Liverpool away at Middlesborough. Pamarot was back on the bench in the FA Cup, but will he oust Hreidarsson? - Pompey have got Sunderland and Derby in the next two games so I am thinking that a Portsmouth defender would reap dividends.
I had planned a defensive substitution if Hyypia had been struggling - I was looking at Clichy for Arsenal - he’s scored well the last couple of weeks and with Birmingham at home Arsenal should keep a clean sheet.
I agree about the Wes Brown/Gary Neville situation -Neville as captain would come in but I am worried about Neville lasting the rest of the season and playing 90 minute games until May after not playing this season…
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