Return of the prodigal sulk

By European Football
November 3 2005

Ex-Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City player Nicolas Anelka has been recalled to the French squad for the first time in three years. His international career looked to be as good as over when he refused a call-up from Jacques Santini to play against Yugoslavia in 2002. And he was not expected to feature under Raymond Domenech, either, however there has been a change of heart and he will appear for France in the forthcoming games against Costa Rica and Germany.

Domenech stated:

"Anelka is just one player selected for the matches against Costa Rica and Germany," he said.

"His game is fast, he has plenty of pace and I am interested in those qualities."

However there is still no place for Arsenal’s Robert Pires, who is looking more and more to be finished with international football with the French coach stating:

"For those who don't seem concerned by the World Cup, it is finished."

"The World Cup is six months away and players have to prove to me that they want to go.

"We have to prepare well and that is why we have arranged the two matches. It is important for the squad to be well prepared for the finals in Germany."

The squad in full:

Fabien Barthez (Marseille), Gregory Coupet (Lyon), Mickael Landreau (Nantes), Eric Abidal (Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle), William Gallas (Chelsea), Gael Givet (Monaco), Franck Jurietti (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich), Lilian Thuram (Juventus), Alou Diarra (Lens), Vikash Dhorasoo (Paris Saint Germain), Claude Makelele (Chelsea), Florent Malouda (Lyon), Jerome Rothen (Paris Saint Germain), Patrick Vieira (Juventus), Nicolas Anelka (Fenerbahce), Djibril Cisse (Liverpool), Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Sidney Govou (Lyon), David Trezeguet (Juventus), Sylvain Wiltord (Lyon)

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