Five goals in seven Premiership appearances show Anelka is at the peak of his powers and that Manchester City's ace marksman is in the running for the Golden Boot.
But with the Blues still in the wrong half of the table and a couple of erratic performances compromising early progress, the Frenchman insists he takes no joy in being singled out for acclaim.
Anelka, who was surprisingly overlooked by Raymond Domenech for France's World Cup qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Paris yesterday, says he would much prefer not to be scoring if the Blues could be winning.
He has, though, taken encouragement from displays against Arsenal and Southampton and believes it is only a matter of time before Kevin Keegan's men start to move up the table again.
"I prefer to win games rather than just score goals," said Anelka. "We must improve on last year but there have been times almost as if it is the same.
"If we don't do that, we will end up in the same situation and nobody wants that. It was hard last year and even though it was good to stay up, nobody wants that to be the only thing we have got to celebrate.
"Even if it is not possible to finish in the top six, we want to be between the places of seven and 15. But definitely not like last year. We finished ninth in our first year and people expected a lot from us so that was a big disappointment.
"We have to keep our concentration for longer in games. Every game is different and you must strive to be better."
It was at this stage last season that Keegan proclaimed Anelka had everything to make him the best striker ever to play for City. Nothing has altered that opinion.
"He has the pace to get teams turned and I think he's had a terrific start to the season," Keegan said. "He scores goals, puts himself in position to score more and makes opportunities for others.
"I think you might see the very best of Nicolas this season. His training has been the best that I've ever seen from him.
"He is one of the top players in the world, make no mistake about that."
Such words from Keegan and Anelka make the story that circulated earlier in the summer about the former Real Madrid and Arsenal star wanting to move to Dubai all the more ludicrous.
The story still brings a smile to his face. "It doesn't bother me," he insisted. "If people want to write things about me, what can I say or what can I do?"
READ Dominic King's full interview with Nicolas Anelka in the new edition of the CITY MAGAZINE, on sale now. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
I just wonder if Anelka is a luxury we can't afford? Anelka should be with a top team. To some extent KK rescued his career because no one wanted to take a chance. One of Kevin's top buys undoubtably. But even at the time as the market was becoming depressed I think we paid over the odds. It is almost getting to the point that if Nic doen't score, no one will. Unfortunately there is no way we could recover the fee we paid (are paying) but would having B#13M to spend be better than having Nic?
anelka is a great player but what concerns me the most is who can play alongside him? what we need is a teddy sheringham type player who drops in the hole. macken lets face it is not premiership material and i think robbie is on last chance saloon. yes we got a couple of youngsters coming through but i think we need someone who can come in a nd do a job up there with the legend. i think Djorkieff (if thats how you spell it) would have been a good move on a year deal, and then got someone else in, in the summer. The other option is playing SWP in there but i think his best role is out wide. what does everyone else think?
He is definitly committed to City and he is pure class. To see that silly French coach leave him out off the squad and than say he needs the strikers to score goals is a big joke if you look at the player he takes with his squad Wiltord (only just playing a couple of games at Lyon) Cisse (not scoring near as much as Anelka so far in the PL) Luyindula (not scoring easy this year) and than leave Anelka out is insane. Henry is pure class and with Trezeguet out there is no doubt Anelka should be in there starting line-up. With all rumours said about him I think he answers perfectly on the only way he should a that's on the pitch.
He's certainly the best striker I've ever seen in a City shirt.
Watching Henry in a mediocre French side without the talents of Arsenal behind him makes you wonder what Nico would be capable of with more quality around him. Hopefully he's not thinking the same thing...
Love hearing you lot droll and foam at the mouth about Big Moody. Get it into your head he`s not world class and will never get into the French squad again. Live the dream!
nico is class whatever these rag whingers say...x-mas is coming for citeh...lets get eidur gudjohnsen for nico damien duff would look good in sky bloo as well...chelski dont hold a candle to gooners and we all know mr rubles will be doing housecleaning to make way for whatever continental flavour-of-the-week he fancies look into it kev come on you blues!
Looks like the Elk is going to be pretty unhappy for a few months then!
well,in my opinion ,i think morientes will be avery great choice for u beside anelka but first u should try to get him.