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Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Anelka and Alex biding their time

In addition to accpeting their transfer requests, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has made public his decision to have the pair train apart from the main squad.

IT APPEARS THAT France international striker Nicolas Anelka and Brazilian defender Alex have already made their final appearances for Premier League giants Chelsea.

The pair, who are reported to have grown increasingly dissatisfied by their failure secure regular Premier- and Champions League starts in recent months, were absent from Chelsea’s match-day squad for yesterday’s clash with Newcastle United.

Speaking prior to Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over the Tynesiders, manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed that both players had submitted transfer requests.

The Portuguese also confirmed that, pending the opening of the winter transfer window, Alex and Anelka would train on a schedule different to that of the main squad.

“They are top, top professionals – their professionalism and integrity is never in question – but at this moment and with the recent form and results, we have decided just to try to get the group together, and we have decided to assign different training times for Anelka and Alex.”

Anelka has borne the decision with equanimity, even going so far as to offer a clue regarding his likely destination in a statement on the club’s website.

“I’ve known for a little while where I’ll be on 2 January. The club, which is going through a difficult time, has decided to work with Chelsea’s players of the future and, as I am a good professional, I have accepted this.”

Should the expected transfers fail to materialise, both players will be free to rejoin the main squad.

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    Mute Shane O Leary
    Favourite Shane O Leary
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    Dec 4th 2011, 5:32 PM

    But then he does not “offer a clue regarding his likely destination”.

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    Mute Shane O Leary
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    Dec 4th 2011, 4:43 PM

    I think that Anelka quote about where he might be come Jan might be out of context Conor. I think he might be referring to Chelsea as “the club”, not giving a hint as to where he’ll be going.

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    Mute Conor Nagle
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    Dec 4th 2011, 4:51 PM

    Chelsea clearly is the club in question, but I don’t quite see how anything here is being taken “out of context”. Anelka appears to know where he’s going.

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    Mute Steve Herron
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    Dec 5th 2011, 7:11 AM

    I think it’s a damn shame. Anelka supporting Sturidge would be a brilliant partnership. Also we need cover for Terry who is sorely lacking and his partner David Luiz who is a defensive liability.

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    Mute Val Kearney
    Favourite Val Kearney
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    Dec 5th 2011, 12:01 AM

    I think he’s saying Chelsea is the club in difficulty and they’ve decided to focus on youth instead of the older players. This came out at the start of the season and Anelka has probably known where he would be going since then.

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