Bolton become Anelka's latest victim

Nicolas Anelka's quest to play for every Premiership club took a step forward today as it was announced that the journey man striker has tricked Sam Allardyce into paying £8m for him.

"Nicolas is a player who has played for a lot of clubs in the Premiership," said Bolton boss Sam Allardyce.

"Patience is a virtue and I am pleased to say that all the waiting and hard work we've done behind the scenes has paid off."

"He was born to roam. His greed and temperament will be a valuable asset for us.

"It's an unprecedented amount of money for Bolton Wanderers to spend and fully underlines the club's naivety," Allardyce added.

So, as Big Sam becomes the latest manager with the ego that says 'I'm the one that can get the best out of him' what can we expect from the Frenchman this season?

Bolton's hoof and run playing style (a more rudimentry version of the way Chelsea play) has often been beyond citisism as Big Sam has had limited resources, often picking up semi retired world stars and strapping them back together. In Anelka they have signed a man supposedly in his prime.

The old 'he's got something to prove' should be dismissed immediately, he had something to prove at PSG, at Liverpool and at City to little or no avail. You could also dismiss the notion that he's only in it for the money. I'm sure he has all the money he needs by now.

So what do we think of Anelka to Bolton?

Just posted Glenn.

It wasn't there when I started writing my article - honest!

Never mind , we can continue in either.
Its a big gamble by Sam , could pay off though or could be 7 m down the drain.

Bolton are becoming a rest home for troublesome and unsettled ex-Reds strikers. Who next... Owen?

I always saw Fowler ending his career there tbh - afterall he does own the club

I'd be surprised if Fowler didn't retire if we ever decided to get rid of him. Let's be honest, he doesn't need the money.

Wasn't there a rumour about him and Mcmanaman buying Tranmere?

Good one... true as well.

I for one also thought that BSA was always pinching pennies, and now he blows 8 mil on Anelka of all people?

Great buy I think. This guy has scored goals wherever he's gone, and he's proven ion the Premiership. If anyone can make him get in line, it's Allardyce.

Plus, Anelka wants to get back into the France team.

When he played for us, he scored goals but he wasn't really prolific. He's always relied a lot on pace and he'll only get slower. And he is the prince of sulks... if he doesn't get enough of the ball he just wanders around shrugging.

A really frustrating player IMO. I hope you get better results from him than we did.

I am surprised they had money for a 8 million bid, thats unlike big Sam....and hence a big Gamble....tho talented....

However, I think Sam can get the best out of him, in terms playing within himself, but giving it his best. I.e the football, however effective it is, will not suit his style....but Sam will make him play to his rigid style and you will see Anelka scoring goals, but not his usual way of running at the back of defender's....

Well, Big Sam tends to play 3 up front, and I assume he's not thinking of putting Anelka in the central role because he can't head for toffee.


Diouf and Anelka in the same squad - sounds like a very bad idea to me. I don't see it working out, TBH, but I'd love to be proven wrong because I like Bolton and I like Sam.

good luck bolton..

£8m but not much of a gamble imo Anelka, is class and will be very good for Bolton. But it will be interesting to see how Bolton have to change the way they play and their system to fit him in and what affect this might have on the whole team.

Diouf and Anelka - i bet they're are the team jokers.