Anelka: Deal was Done Months Ago

Bolton fans have understandably outraged over comments made by Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, regarding the transfer of Nicolas Anelka.

‘Negotiations are always difficult and this has proven no different. Those discussions have been going on for a couple of months but we got there very late on Thursday night, Friday morning.’

This appears to contradict assertions made by Wanderers manager Gary Megson and chairman Phil Gartside that there had been no approach from any club and that the final decision had been made only recently, when the player expressed a desire to leave. Clearly, there are questions that need to be answered. For a start, why has Kenyon made this statement? Surely he must know what has been said by the Bolton hierarchy. Was Megson lying or was he being kept in the dark? Gartside is alleged to have told fans in Belgrade that the deal for Anelka was done, so why say the opposite to the media?

On the face of it, the transfer is good business for Bolton, providing that transfer targets have been identified and that a sufficient amount of the money received for Anelka is made available to pay for them. The fans, as disappointed as they are to lose the leading goalscorer, know that several areas of the team need to be strengthened. What they don`t like, is being misled.

Over to you Garty. The explanation had better be good.