Football: Anelka's the Real deal for Keegan.NICOLAS ANELKA Nicolas Anelka (born March 14, 1979 in Versailles, France)[1] is a French footballer who plays in the forward position. After winning the 1998-99 PFA Young Player of the Year award and making his name at Arsenal, he has changed clubs several times. has taken a swipe at Arsenal and Real Madrid by insisting Manchester City have made him a better player than he was when he played for them. The French striker believes he has become a better player under Kevin Keegan Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE (born February 14, 1951 in Armthorpe, Doncaster, England)[1] is a former English football manager and is regarded as one of the all-time greatest British football players. than when he played for Arsene Wenger at Highbury or Vicente de Bosque at the Bernabeu. And Anelka even went as far as to criticise his former bosses for being too serious and not displaying a sense of humour Noun 1. sense of humour - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humor, humor, humour like City boss Keegan. "I'm certain I've improved as a player at Manchester City," said Anelka. "I believe the difficult years where I didn't progress are behind me. "I have not been able to rely on great service like I did at Arsenal and Madrid, so my overall game has got better. "My relationship with Kevin Keegan is excellent. At all my other clubs, it was very hard to have a laugh with the coach. "But Keegan loves to have a laugh. This doesn't mean we can't be serious, because we are. But his management allows for a relaxed mood." And Anelka's City team-mates did not escape his wrath wrath n. 1. Forceful, often vindictive anger. See Synonyms at anger. 2. a. Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger. b. Divine retribution for sin. adj. , the 24-year-old claiming one of the main reasons he has got better is because he has to work harder as the players around him are not as good as those at Arsenal or Real Madrid. "Arsenal and Real Madrid are big clubs, and I was used to playing with truly great players," said Anelka. "In Manchester, it was different. In my first season I played with players who had just come up from Division One and I had to create a lot of opportunities for myself. "As we have progressed, we have bought better players and now I don't have to rely on myself to score the goals." Anelka also hinted he is ready to go back on his decision to quit international football and make a return for France. He announced he was retiring from the French side earlier this year after repeatedly failing to win a place in the squad. Anelka said: "I hope it's possible for me to play for France again. The door is not closed but it does not look likely at the moment." CAPTION(S): ANELKA: Improved |
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