Source: SKY_Sports
Ancelotti - Anelka the best
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti says that he would not swap Nicolas Anelka for any other striker in the world.[LNB] The Italian manager has revealed that he tried to capture the then Arsenal youngster when in charge of Juventus 10 years ago.[LNB]Anelka ultimately opted for a big-money move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, but Ancelotti's admiration of the front-man has never gone away.[LNB]And now he finally has Anelka under his wing, the former AC Milan boss has been able to experience the 30-year-old's qualities first hand.[LNB]"I wanted to sign Anelka in 1999. I spoke with his brothers but we could not agree a deal," Ancelotti told The Sun.[LNB]No deal"Nicolas has improved a great deal since I tried to buy him.[LNB]"He was very young then, only 20 I think. Now he is playing with more personality, intensity and continuity. He is much more consistent.[LNB]"He's a fantastic striker with many great qualities. He has it all - he's a great jumper, technical quality, shoots fantastically, moves very well on the pitch and scores goals.[LNB]"I don't think he gets the credit he deserves. People should appreciate his work more."[LNB]Anelka and Ivorian forward Didier Drogba have formed a potent strike force since the former made his move to Stamford Bridge from Bolton in January 2008.[LNB]They have already combined for 14 goals in all competitions under Ancelotti and the veteran manager hopes they will continue to find the net together for many more years at Chelsea.[LNB]Best"Drogba and Anelka are the best strikers in the Premier League. I wouldn't change them for anyone else," he added[LNB]"Didier is stronger and more of a personality while Anelka is quicker.[LNB]"I haven't really asked Nicolas to do anything differently. Sometimes I ask him to play a little bit behind Didier but he doesn't like to stay in front much anyway."[LNB]Ancelotti is keen to extend Anelka's current contract, but realises a multi-year deal may be out of the question due to the Frenchman's age.[LNB]He said: "We want him to stay here a lot of years but not too many because he is already 30.[LNB]"If I heard all this talk about me, I would be asking for a contract of nine or 10 years! That isn't possible." [LNB]
