Anelka reveals ordeal during final days at Stamford Bridge -- training with youth squad, using separate changing room and even parking car with reserves
Anelka reveals ordeal during final days at Stamford Bridge --u00a0 training with youth squad, using separate changing room and even parking car with reserves
ADVERTISEMENT
Feeling blue? Ex-Chelsea player Nicolas Anelka during an EPL game
last year. Pic/Getty Images
The former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bolton and Manchester City striker was forced to train with the youth squad and kept away from the rest of the first team before eventually moving to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January. He was even told to park his car with the reserves.
The 32-year-old Frenchman, who moved from Bolton for ufffd15 million in January 2008, had been a key man for the Blues having finished as the Premier League top scorer with 19 goals as they did the double under Carlo Ancelotti in 2008-09.
Anelka had been linked with a move to Ancelotti's new team PSG, a move he denies was a possibility, but he talked about the end of his time at Chelsea and the treatment which he was subjected to by Andre Villas-Boas. "Ever since, I was punished, they put me with the youngsters," he told The Sun.
"I've got all the kit and equipment that professionals have but they put me in a separate changing room ufffd that's football for you.
No friends in football
"One day, you can be there scoring goals and doing all you have to do for your club but the day you leave there is no pity.u00a0
That's why the day you do decide to leave you have to do what you have to do and have no sadness either, because there are no friends in football.u00a0 That's the truth. It's sad to say but that's the truth. It's a collective sport but it's also very individual.
"It's true that I could have had a better career but I know I've succeeded and I'm proud of that when I go back to France, back to the suburbs I came from, the guys there are proud of me.u00a0"They know I never gave up. I took plenty of knocks but I'm still here.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
