Anelka to get France Chance

By Craig McWalter
April 15 2002

France coach Roger Lemerre has revealed that Nicolas Anelka will play some part in the match against Russia. Read On for more.....

Lemerre will give Anelka a chance to win a place in the French World Cup squad.

And the coach maintained that even though he wants to see how the striker reacts to a return to the squad, his performance in Paris will not be make or break.

"I haven't called up Anelka just to please him," said Lemerre. "This is the same for Alain Boghossian.

"Both of them deserve to be in the squad just like the other players.

"This game against Russia is not the only game which will determine if he plays in the World Cup. Anelka is a European champion.

"Even if he didn't play for France in the final, he was an important element in getting us there."

But Lemerre wants the former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker to prove he can still play at the same high standard of two years ago.

"Anelka brings a bonus to the team. He has the qualities of a high-level player, but he has to show them," said Lemerre.

"During the Confederations Cup, what saddened me the most was that he did not score when he had the opportunity to do so.

"This is something he did at Arsenal. At Liverpool, it's difficult to judge him as he hasn't been there too long."

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