That is the view of Trotters assistant manager Chris Evans, whose side will be looking to record their fifth win in six Barclays Premier League games against Chelsea on Saturday.
An intriguing sub-plot to the clash is Anelka's first return to the Reebok Stadium and Evans is adamant the France striker deserves to be shown respect.
Anelka, 29, signed a new four-year contract with Bolton in August 2007 but made it clear he wanted out of the club when Chelsea came calling in January.
"Nicolas should get a very good reception," said Evans. "He made the decision that he wanted to leave, but from a reception point of view from the supporters I would like to think they will show him due respect.
"He is an extremely talented player. I only arrived here at the end of October last season but I only had to see him in training to realise he is class act and a top goalscorer.
"He has managed to replicate that again this season."
Indeed, Anelka is enjoying a remarkable campaign and already has 14 goals in all competitions to his name.
His January departure from Bolton did not help Gary Megson's side and they narrowly survived relegation.
After a sticky start to the current campaign, Megson's men look capable of avoiding the drop after four wins in their previous five outings.
The Trotters destroyed Sunderland 4-1 last weekend - their third successive away win - but Evans accepts Chelsea will be the clear favourites to emerge victorious in Lancashire this weekend.
He said: "Obviously most of the games they play they are regarded as the favourites and I don't think that will be any different this weekend.
"But we are having a good run of form at the moment and apart from results we are playing very well. Even when results weren't going well for us we felt we were putting a good shift in.
"Sometimes you don't get what you deserve but if you have the belief then results will turn and that's exactly what's happened to us.
"Confidence is a big thing in any sport but since the beginning of the season there has been a terrific camaraderie at the club.
"That's not something that's just happened and it's not false - the players get on well together here and the manager goes to great lengths to foster that.
"The one thing we do have is a terrific spirit a great togetherness and I think if you have that can align that with ability then you have the ingredients for success."
Bolton have a clean bill of health after midfielder Matt Taylor shrugged off a slight strain picked up at the Stadium of Light last weekend.
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