Anelka Teaches French

October 5th, 2007 | by: Laurie | View Comments

I know there’s a lot of actual France-related football news I should write on instead of fluff, but I couldn’t pass this one up. Here’s a sweet story about Nicolas Anelka and other Bolton players taking the time to speak in their native language to schoolchildren.

“Striker Anelka said: “It’s good for children to learn another language so when they travel they can speak the language of the country they’re in. “They were all very good. They asked me mainly simple questions, but it’s good to try in the first place and they have made a start.”

School pupils were able to ask their favourite players about their hobbies, favourite foods, and even if Wanderers’ form was likely to improve this season – all in the sportsmen’s own language. …

The youngsters learned Anelka’s favourite food was beans on toast and that he would have been a professional tennis player if his football career had not taken off.

Since this comes on the heels of another article saying new Bolton boss Sammy Lee needs to figure out how to harness Anelka mercurial temperament (oh, no, not again!), I’m glad to be able to post something positive.

(I still love Anelka.)