Anelka fires warning to Drogba
Friday, 18 Jan 2008 09:05
Nicolas Anelka warns Didier Drogba about leaving England
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Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his new Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba he will find it "very difficult" to return to England if he leaves.
Drogba has been the subject of intense media speculation linking him to a move to Barcelona this year as he has expressed a desire to play alongside Samuel Eto'o.
But Anelka has told his new team-mate that moving abroad after playing in England is not all it is billed as and, given his age, Drogba will find it very difficult to return if he fails to settle in a new environment.
"He's 29, I think, and if he wants to come back it's going to be very difficult. I did it when I was 20 so I could come back," said Anelka.
"He's nearly 30, so if he signs somewhere and he regrets it, it's very difficult to come back."
Anelka revealed he has already spoken to Drogba since signing for the Blues, despite the Ivorian being away on
African Cup of Nations duty for the next few weeks.
And the Frenchman said he hoped to have further in-depth discussions with his future strike partner in a bid to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
"I think when he comes back I will speak with him because he doesn't know anything about what happens when you leave England," Anelka continued.
"I know because I did it and I know when I was outside of England and the Premier League it was hard.
"I would tell him to stay because he will not find what he has at Chelsea and in England anywhere else.
He continued: "I spoke with him yesterday and I told him I'm looking forward to playing with him. I don't know what he thinks about his future but I will tell him to stay and we can be good together.
"He is a big star in England and a big star in Chelsea and everybody loves him.
"It's up to him if he decides to leave, but I will tell him not to."