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Anelka wants to leave Chelsea - Villas-Boas

Nicolas Anelka joined Chelsea in 2008 © PA Photos

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Andre Villas-Boas has revealed Nicolas Anelka wants to leave Chelsea as his contract nears expiry.

Anelka, 32, was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer and, though no move transpired, he will be a free agent come next year.

He has shown signs that he can play a big role in Villas-Boas' debut season in charge at Chelsea but, although the Blues are eager to extend the striker's contract, it appears there is little prospect he will sign.

"It might not be the player's expectancy to renew," he said. "Nico as a person is very, very happy. He belongs to Chelsea in the last year of his contract, performing.

"We will make our efforts for him to renew but Nico has his own decision to make and I am not sure he will be willing."

Asked whether Anelka had indicated he wanted to leave, Villas-Boas replied: "Yes."

Didier Drogba is another player whose contract expires at the end of the season. He has been offered a new deal, but as yet there has been no agreement.

Asked for the details of the impasse, Villas-Boas said: "I would not like to share it with you as you would speculate with it for the rest of the season."

While the future of his strikers remains a concern, Villas-Boas' focus at this stage is with Chelsea's trip to Manchester United in what is likely to be his toughest test since taking the reins.

There have been quotes attributed to United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen suggesting the Blues squad is too old and their tempo is too slow, but Villas-Boas is attempting to sidestep the mind games for now.

"I am not really sure if they are true," he said. "It doesn't affect me but I find it strange that Rene would say that when he knows the importance that Van der Sar had, and the importance Scholes had, and the importance that Giggs has, just like he had on Wednesday.

"I really wouldn't say that a Man United assistant manager would say that when he has had people of that importance in his own group, so I really didn't give the statement that importance because it might have been taken out of context."

He added: "Regarding mind games, I really don't know how to position myself. I just have to wait to see how we are provoked and if there is need to respond then very well, but if there is no need to respond then I don't.

"In the end I don't know if it really affects the mindset of the players, who are the most important guys. You can react in different ways and then you can transmit other ideas to the players. The most important thing is for the players to feel comfortable and to have belief in their manager. If a manager concedes an advantage of that kind it might look as if he is subject to pressure."

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