• Premier League

Anelka denies saying he expects to leave Chelsea

ESPN staff
November 23, 2011
Nicolas Anelka has made three Premier League starts this season © PA Photos
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Nicolas Anelka has rubbished a report published in The Times in which he was quoted as saying he expects to leave Chelsea during the January transfer window.

Anelka has barely featured in the Premier League under Andre Villas-Boas this season, and has become the subject of interest from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and AC Milan.

The former France international was quoted as saying in The Times: "I love playing here. Chelsea has been the best part of my career and it's been great playing and winning with terrific guys like Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda.

"I was hoping to win another league title this season with Chelsea, but now apparently it is not to be."

However, Anelka has completely denied even speaking to the paper. Despite starting only three league games this season, the forward insists he is remaining loyal to Chelsea.

"Following the quotations attributed to me in an English newspaper, I'd like to categorically deny having given any interview, let alone spoken about my future," Anelka told AFP.

"I'm under contract with Chelsea until the end of the season, with many playing commitments."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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