Nicolas Anelka marked his official arrival at Shanghai Shenhua on Thursday by revealing he could soon be joined at the ambitious Chinese club by former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.
Drogba’s contract at Chelsea expires at the end of the season and sections of the British media have reported that Shenhua is ready to pay the 33-year-old striker a weekly salary of 270,000 pounds ($420,000) to lure him to China.
Anelka did little to scotch the speculation regarding Drogba’s future. “I don’t want to say too much, but I expect Drogba to come,” the former France striker said at his presentation.
With money seemingly no object for Shenhua, there could be a steady flow of high-profile players to the team currently coached by ex-France midfielder Jean Tigana.
Signing a big name such as Anelka “will start a new age” in Chinese football, according to club director Zhou Jun.
“We have a world-class football star serving in active duty (in) Chinese football,” Zhou said. “Anelka’s arrival will not only enhance the level in the competition, but will also help smooth the concerns of the European mainstream media about Chinese football.”
Anelka will look to improve the fortunes of Shenhua, which finished 11th in the 16-team Chinese league last season.
“I am very happy to finally arrive in China and especially arriving to Shanghai,” the former Real Madrid, Arsenal and Manchester City striker said. “I still haven’t had any time to explore the city, but I heard it’s an extraordinary city.”
