THEY called him “Le Sulk” but you’d have been hard pressed to find a frown at Wanderers when they shocked the footballing world to sign Nicolas Anelka on this week in 2006.
The Frenchman had seen his glittering career stall during a spell in Turkey with Fenerbahce, giving Sam Allardyce the opportunity to snap him up for a club record £8million.
Even Big Sam did not know whether the gamble would pay off, admitting on the day the former Arsenal striker was unveiled: "I don't know for certain until we've actually worked together whether we'll work,” he said. “But it's something I have been able to achieve because of my own personality and character.”
Anelka proved to be a huge hit despite waiting 11 games for his first league goal.
It arrived against his former club Arsenal, one of two in a 3-1 win at the Reebok in November, and paved the way for 15 in total that season for club and country.
Allardyce’s departure cast doubts against Anelka’s future but he remained with the club, now in Europe for a second time, and proved even more prolific.
By the turn of 2008 he had 12 goals for club and country – prompting big-spending Chelsea to come in with a mammoth £15m offer.
He departed having played just 62 times for the club but remains one of the most gifted strikers to have worn the Whites shirt and was recently picked by Allardyce in his all-time XI of players he had managed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel