SAM Allardyce has played down Bolton's chances of landing Nicolas Anelka saying: "I don't think a club of our size is big enough for Nicolas."
The Wanderers boss continues to scour Europe for a striker having been linked this week with the likes of Anelka (Fenerbahce), Jan Venegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven) and Diego Tristan (Deportivo La Coruna).
Despite Anelka looking favourite, Allardyce insisted: "The lad has played at the top end of football with the top clubs.
"It would be nice to think he'd consider joining us but I would never say that's a possibility because of the size of the player and the size of the overall package.
"If he showed a desire to join us I'd jump at the chance but that's not the case at the moment."
Interest
On Tristan, Allardyce said: "He has got a quality CV. Anyone that comes on the front line with a really good CV would interest me."
The Bolton manager stressed, though, that he was not in the market for "mediocrity," adding: "While we could survive by doing that it's not within my ambition to be sitting still, to be regressing rather than progressing.
"I could have signed five or six but I'd have been guessing whether they'd been good enough for us."
Meite certainly doesn't fall into the `mediocrity' bracket. He impressed with Ivory Coast during the World Cup and Allardyce expects him to be a hit in England.
"Meite has looked good since he joined us last month from Marseille," added Allardyce. "And he has the right attitude to adapt quickly to the pace of the game."
Two departees were centre halves Bruno N'Gotty and, more surprisingly, Radhi Jaidi, who joined Birmingham. Allardyce let them go to to free up extra cash for a star striker to match the club's ambitions.
Where do you think Bolton's current squad would finish? Have your say.
Comments
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Yeah he's been too big for everyone so far. Better he stays in Turkey.
Your well shut of him!
will struggle to stay in the division
So there you go even your manager thinks your a poxy little club.
Bolton not big enough for Anelka? Now there is a surprise. You're missing nowt.
I think boltons current squad is a joke, very much like their pitiful support. The style of play is awful and everyone will be grateful when small culbs like bolton, charlton, wigan go back to where they belong, the conference.
Diego Tristan snubs Bolton
NEVER!!!!!!!!
anelka will sign on tuesday! bolton also changing there system and playing better football. although chelsea have always played the same system , theres never been a problem really its just unsuccessful medicre clubs like man city and spurs who winged because they are supposidly big clubs. hmm i think not
Anelka is too big for any club - in his own opinion that is. There is a reason he moves around so much and why he is not good enough for France.
Think about it.