Nicolas Anelka claims to have been made to feel like an outcast during his final days at Chelsea, but says he has no regrets about the decision he took.
French forward reflects on a tough end to his time with Chelsea
Nicolas Anelka claims to have been made to feel like an outcast during his final days at Chelsea, but says he has no regrets about the decision he took.
With it clear that he had no intention of penning a new deal at Stamford Bridge, the Blues forced Anelka, and fellow contract rebel Alex, to train away from the first-team squad.
The French forward admits he was surprised, given all that he had done for the club, that manager Andre Villas-Boas would choose to treat him that way.
He has, however, since completed a move to ambitious Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and acknowledges that a footballer's career will inevitably take in a number of highs and lows.
"Ever since I was punished they put me with the youngsters," Anelka said in
The Sun.
"I've got all the kit and equipment that professionals have but they put me in a separate changing room - that's football for you.
Knocks
"One day, you can be there scoring goals and doing all you have to do for your club but the day you leave there is no pity.
"That's why the day you do decide to leave you have to do what you have to do and have no sadness either, because there are no friends in football.
"That's the truth. It's sad to say but that's the truth. It's a collective sport but it's also very individual.
"It's true that I could have had a better career but I know I've succeeded and I'm proud of that when I go back to France, back to the suburbs I came from, the guys there are proud of me.
"They know I never gave up. I took plenty of knocks but I'm still here."
