Anelka accepts bit-part role at Chelsea

Chelsea's French player Nicolas Anelka, seen here addressing the media at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu football stadium in Istanbul, insists he is willing to stay in the shadows at Chelsea because he knows he will get the chance to win the game's top prizes.

Nicolas Anelka insists he is willing to stay in the shadows at Chelsea because he knows he will get the chance to win the game's top prizes.

Anelka has often been reduced to a bit-part role since his move from Bolton in January, but the France striker is a more mature character than earlier in his career and has no intention of causing problems for Blues manager Avram Grant.

His spells at Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool were spoiled by his occasional outbursts when he felt hard-done-by, earning him the nickname 'le sulk'.

Now Anelka cuts a far more humble figure. He has only started 10 matches so far and could be on the bench again in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Fenerbahce.

That would have been the signal for a tantrum for the young Anelka. Now a desire to be involved in the race for the Premier League and Champions League seems to have convinced him to put the team ahead of his ego.

"I'm very new at the club so I need to get used to my team-mates and learn the way we play. It's not difficult, when the manager asks me to play I play, when he asks me to be on the bench I try to help the team when I go on," Anelka said.

"It will be the same until the end of my contract. I'm just pleased to be here and playing for Chelsea and will try my best all the time.

"It's always difficult to win the Champions League but I think we have the quality to win this title because of the way we play and the number of big players we have.

"I won the Champions League already with Real Madrid. I would love to do it with Chelsea - I know we are going to win a lot of trophies."

Anelka is back on familiar ground as he returns to Fenerbahce for the first time since leaving the club two years.

He will get a mixed reception from fans who idolised him for his performances but were unhappy with the hasty manner of his departure to Bolton.

"I was happy when we drew them because I would be coming back to a stadium I like and could see friends I left," he said.

"Even when I left I always said I loved the club. I just wanted to come back to England but it doesn't mean I do not love Fenerbahce. Whenever I am asked I have always said that I love the fans here.

"But if I have the chance to score I will, I play for Chelsea now and I would be happy."