Nicolas Anelka. How many?

Nicolas Anelka is a former French professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and controversial footballers of his generation. Known for his incredible speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Anelka played for several top European clubs over the course of his career, including Arsenal, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Anelka was born on March 14, 1979, in Versailles, France. He began his youth career with local club Trappes before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 1996. It was there that he first gained attention for his remarkable talent, scoring 14 goals in 33 appearances in his first full season with the club.

In 1997, Anelka's career took a significant turn when he was signed by Arsenal, then managed by Arsene Wenger. Despite being just 17 years old, Anelka quickly made an impact at the club, scoring his first goal in a League Cup match against Birmingham City. He went on to score 23 goals in 65 appearances for the Gunners over the course of two seasons, helping the team win the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 1997-98 season.

Anelka's time at Arsenal was not without controversy, however. He had a reputation for being difficult to manage, and his relationship with Wenger became strained over time. In 1999, Anelka was sold to Real Madrid for a reported fee of £22.3 million, a record transfer fee at the time for a French player.

Anelka's time at Real Madrid was relatively brief, and he moved on to several other clubs over the course of his career. He had a successful stint at Chelsea, helping the team win the Premier League title in 2010, and also played for Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Fenerbahce, and Mumbai City FC.

Despite his talent and success on the pitch, Anelka was also known for his controversial behavior off the field. He was involved in several high-profile incidents over the course of his career, including a clash with former French national team manager Raymond Domenech during the 2010 World Cup.

Anelka retired from professional football in 2016, after a career that spanned more than 20 years. Although he may be remembered as much for his controversies as his talent, there is no denying that Anelka was one of the most gifted and influential footballers of his generation.

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