Nicolas Anelka believes he is more mature and able to handle the spotlight of performing in London following his £15 million return to the English capital with Chelsea - ten years after first arriving in the country to sign for Arsenal.
The 28-year-old French international is expected to be handed his full debut by Chelsea manager Avram Grant against Birmingham City at St Andrews on Saturday, after a substitute appearance last weekend at Stamford Bridge in the 2-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur.
Anelka is desperate to get started, especially with Ivorian goal-getter Didier Drogba away on international duty at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008, and feels he is better equipped than at any other stage in his career to fully justify the latest huge transfer fee he has attracted.
"I know everything about a big club, the ex-Real Madrid player said. "Before it was a little bit difficult because I was young, but now because a lot of things have happened in my life, I can handle it.
"I never gave up. I tried my best when I was on the pitch. I did it for (Manchester) City and for Bolton (Wanderers), Liverpool as well, it was difficult for me at times and there was pressure, but I never gave up. Now I am here and I want to show that I can do it."
And as well as proving he has the experience to cope with the inevitable pressure of his high-profile return, Anelka also believes he has finally shed the 'le sulk' tag which has followed him around previously. "I never said or did something wrong in my career so what people say is wrong," he said.
"People say that because they don't know me and if you ask a player I played with at Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Bolton, they won't say anything wrong about me. Nothing has changed."
"Sometimes you are happy when you play football and sometimes you are not happy. Maybe some people saw me when I was not happy, but no, I don't think it is fair."
Wenger debate
Anelka refused to be drawn into responding to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's recent claims that he could have returned to work with his French mentor at the Emirates Stadium. Wengers words have irritated people at Stamford Bridge, but Anelka certainly will not be looking over his shoulder and wondering whether there really was an opportunity to work with Wenger again.
"I like Arsenal, I had a great time at Arsenal. I was also at Bolton and when I had the chance to sign for Chelsea, it was a great opportunity for me. I never look behind at what has happened in the past," he continued.
"Of course I was happy at Arsenal but today I am looking forward and happy to be at Chelsea. We are still in the race to win everything with Chelsea and I will try to do it.
"It is a big club with big players and if the manager gives me the chance to play, I will play and try to do my best. If I have to start on the bench, I will do the same. I knew this before I signed. I am just happy to be here."
Birmingham will certainly hand a full debut to their latest arrival, David Murphy, their £1.5 million signing from Hibernian, and manager Alex McLeish also hopes to have completed a deal for Scottish international James McFadden by the time Chelsea arrive at St Andrews.
Murphy, the former Middlesbrough left-back, has signed a three-year contract and McLeish is confident that McFadden will follow him after agreeing transfer details with Everton.
From Fifa.com
Tags: Anelka Chelsea
