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Chelsea have completed a £15m deal to sign Nicolas Anelka from Bolton. The French striker, 28, has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and could figure in Saturday’s game with Spurs.

Bolton had rejected a £12m bid from the Stamford Bridge outfit, who are short of fowards because of injuries and Africa Cup of Nations call-ups. “It’s not a secret that I was looking for one more striker, and Anelka has pace, is a good finisher and is scoring a lot of goals,” said boss Avram Grant.

News conference: Bolton boss Gary Megson - “But he also provides assists and can play in any system and with any other good players beside him.” Bolton manager Gary Megson said: “We wanted to keep Nic but once it became obvious that he saw his future away from the club the idea was then to get as much money as we could for him. “We will be looking to add to the squad to improve our league position.

“If there’s a centre forward available he’ll have to be a hard-working centre forward to get into the team ahead of Kevin Davies.” With Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou away on national duty, and Andriy Shevchenko injured, Grant was running out of options to boost his squad’s artillery. Shevchenko and Claudio Pizzaro, their other senior forward, have scored just five Premier League goals between them this season.

Anelka, who has scored 11 goals in 22 games this term, had been linked with a move Chelsea despite signing a new four-year deal with Bolton last August. He has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League and is still eligible for this season’s competition. Anelka joined Bolton in 2006 from Turkish club Fenerbahce for a club record £8m. He has also played for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League and won the Champions League while at Real Madrid.

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The Football Association has contacted Jose Mourinho’s agent about the former Chelsea boss taking over as England coach, BBC Sport understands.
Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes has been approached by the FA about the job, although reports that the Portuguese was already in London were incorrect.

It is thought the FA has drawn up a shortlist of five or six contenders. Mourinho, 44, is on the list and he is considering whether he is prepared to meet FA bosses to talk about the job. Some newspaper reports claimed Mourinho was either in London already or about to fly into England from Portugal for talks with the FA. But BBC Sport football correspondent Jonathan Legard said Mourinho was still at home in Portugal on Friday, but that an approach had been made.

“My sources in Portugal told me that Mourinho has been approached about the England job through his agent,” said Legard.

“He is said to be considering it, but it is not his first-choice opening. He still has very strong interest in what might develop at the top two Spanish clubs, particularly Real Madrid. “I understand that the FA’s consultation process is all but complete.

“Brian Barwick, the chief executive, and Trevor Brooking have taken their soundings from within the game and as a result we could know the identity of Steve McClaren’s successor before Christmas.”

The FA, meanwhile, has issued a forceful denial about one report that suggested Barwick and Brooking were at odds over the appointment. It was claimed Brooking was pushing for West Ham boss Alan Curbishley to take over, while Barwick had set his sights on other “world class” candidates.

The FA’s director of communications Adrian Bevington said: “There is no truth in any suggestion of a problem between Brian Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking, or a conflict or difference of opinion of any sort in appointing the next England manager.

“It is totally without foundation. It is misleading to the public and grossly unfair on Brian and Sir Trevor, who are going about their work in a completely professional manner. “This is not helpful at a time when we are doing all we can to ensure we get the right man and the best man for the England job, which is what the fans all want.”

Barwick met Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Thursday while Brooking spent time with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson last weekend. Reports suggest the FA’s shortlist will include Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Martin O’Neill, Marcello Lippi and Jurgen Klinsmann. Aston Villa boss O’Neill, who has twice attempted to rule himself out of the running, told The Times on Friday: “I think Jose would be an excellent choice, simple as that.

“An England manager should have the time (to put a good structure in place) because he doesn’t have to organise a training session every morning.

Fabio Capello has said he would like to manage England “It should be his business to get around and see how the structure operates, to see what is happening at clubs. “But eventually it’s about winning games at first-team level then hoping you can develop something that will stand the football club in great stead, or allow you to make a mark at international level over a period of time.”

FA chairman Geoff Thompson said on Thursday: “We are determined to get the right man, at the right time. “Brian Barwick has been charged with finding a manager to recommend to the FA board and is well under way with the process.”

It appears likely that a successor for the recently-sacked Steve McClaren will be installed before the next international - the friendly against Switzerland on 6 February at Wembley.

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Surely the best man for the England Manager job is our very own REGGY MOURINHO??

JOSE MOURINHO
How England fans would love the self-proclaimed “Special One” to become the England manager. Ex-Chelsea boss Mourinho would be a popular choice with England fans The maverick and charismatic Portuguese is currently out of a job after his Chelsea exit earlier this season and has all the credentials to handle such a mammoth undertaking. Mourinho has experience at the highest levels in club football having led Porto to the Portuguese league titles and Champions League winners’ trophy before two successive Premier League titles with Chelsea. Tactically astute, he also has the sufficient ego, and oozes the confidence and arrogance, to handle the biggest names as well as not being afraid to put the team before big name stars. But there is a question mark over whether he wants to switch from club football to the international game. The FA may be able to test his resolve with the currency of cash, while the carrot of having the chance to win the World Cup may tempt him.

MARTIN O’NEILL
The Aston Villa manager is, along with Mourinho, an early favourite with bookmakers for the job. He was overlooked in favour of McClaren last summer after reports suggested his no-nonsense manner did not go down too well with his FA interviewers. O’Neill is famed for the motivational skills, which England are in desperate need of, while his strength of personality and unflinching belief suggest he can more than handle the rigours of the job and players. England may have to disregard hopes of the more aesthetically-pleasing football for more of a results-based game under him but that seems like a minor sacrifice at present. O’Neill’s chairman Randy Lerner has said he would not stand in his manager’s way if he wanted the England job. But, the difficulty in luring him is how much O’Neill is still reeling from the rejection from the FA after his last interview.

HARRY REDKNAPP
The exploits of Redknapp at Portsmouth have seen him emerge as a viable candidate. He kept Portsmouth up against the odds in spectacular fashion in 2005/2006 before leading them to ninth last season and sixth at present so far this term. Redknapp’s side play effective and open football and the fact he is English furthers his cause. The FA may see his penchant for the controversial as a major drawback, while Redknapp’s experience at the top level is also likely to count against him.

SAM ALLARDYCE & ALAN CURBISHLEY
Curbishley (left) and Allardyce are English but are they up to the job? This duo are in the frame more for the fact they add to the list of English contenders than for their exploits at club level. Both were keen for the chance to prove themselves at bigger clubs and, with Allardyce moving from Bolton to Newcastle and Curbishley leaving Charlton for West Ham, they are on a stage where they can enhance their credentials. But they have yet to do that and it appears it is too soon for either until they make more of a mark. Curbishley did keep West Ham in the Premier League with seven wins in nine games at the end of last season but, after a summer spending spree, the test is to see where he can take his side. The FA could be put off appointing Allardyce as it is still investigating corruption claims made the BBC programme Panorama.

GUUS HIDDINK
He claims he was offered the job before McClaren but turned it down because he had already agreed to take over Russia. Hiddink has only recently extended his contract with Russia until 2010 and is unlikely to be prised away from his role until after leading their challenge at Euro 2008. At 60, his agent has also suggested the Dutchman may prefer to stay away from a position which entails such a spotlight.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI
The Brazilian World Cup winner has succeeded in leading Portugal to Euro 2008. He was courted by the FA after Sven-Goran Eriksson’s exit and the publicity surrounding FA chief executive Brian Barwick’s trip to meet him undermined McClaren’s appointment. Scolari then stated he did not want the job and he is a firm outsider as the FA will not wait for him until after he masterminds Portugal’s Euro 2008 challenge next summer.

MARK HUGHES
The Blackburn manager has won plenty of admirers for his exploits with Wales and currently at Blackburn Rovers. His side play a physical game with football which is pleasing to the eye and, most of all, they get results. Hughes led Blackburn into Europe last season but the fact his side went out in the first round and a lack of experience may count against the FA targeting him.

ALAN SHEARER
Shearer has no managerial experience and would be a wild card appointment. The former Newcastle striker does have a proven track record of having produced the goods as a player on the international stage and is likely to have the respect of the players. He can also use the example of Jurgen Klinsmann taking over as Germany boss without any previous experience and leading his country to the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup.

JURGEN KLINSMANN
The way former Tottenham striker Klinsmann breathed new life into the German national team and the vibrancy with which the team played was also impressive. He left his job with Germany after the World Cup and, despite the American-based Klinsmann reportedly being courted by Chelsea, he has yet to take up another post. But, after leaving Germany, he may feel it would be insulting to his home nation if he came back into the game to become manager of England, while the FA would also be cautious in going for Klinsmann.

MARCELLO LIPPI & FABIO CAPELLO
The two Italians are currently out of the game but have revered reputations for the success they have enjoyed in the game. Lippi led Italy to the World Cup last year, while Capello led Real Madrid to the Spanish league title last season before leaving the club during the summer. Capello has stated his ambition to take the job but a style of play revolving around the defensive side of the game from both these elder statesmen of the game could put them out of the running.

Story from www.bbc.co.uk

Steve McClaren has been sacked as England coach following his side’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Assistant coach Terry Venables has also lost his job in what the Football Association said was a unanimous decision by its board. The FA brought a swift end to McClaren’s 18-match reign as England’s head coach at an emergency meeting.

McClaren’s position had become untenable after the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday. McClaren’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 cost him his job, said FA chief executive Brian Barwick. “I spoke to Steve this morning - we get on very well with him. I’ve had many grown-up conversations and had another one with him this morning - and I can only wish him well. But in the end, not qualifying for Euro 2008 comes up short,” said Barwick.

McClaren’s reign was the shortest tenure of any England coach. FA chairman Geoff Thompson said: “Like every England fan, we are all bitterly disappointed that we have failed to qualify for Euro 2008, and I know Steve feels that disappointment more than anyone. “Of course we have no divine right to play in major tournaments, but it is quite right that qualification is expected. “I would like to thank Steve for the work he has done since taking on the position last summer. His commitment to the job could not be questioned and I wish him the best for the future. “The recruitment process for the new coach begins now and we will do everything to get the right man for the job.”

McClaren, 46, who had a four-year deal, is expected to be paid more than £2m in compensation and ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Martin O’Neill are the bookies’ favourites to succeed him. Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has said he would be interested in the job.

BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard said: “There will be plenty of pressure within the media to have Martin O’Neill but the FA may feel that is a backwards step - he wasn’t good enough when McClaren was appointed, so is he the one to take England forward now?”

The FA has plenty of time to search for a replacement with the next scheduled fixture a friendly in France at the end of March. Barwick confirmed that nationality would not be an issue as he leads the search to find McClaren’s successor. He also admitted that errors were made in the selection process when McClaren was appointed in May 2006.

“The recruitment process for the new coach begins now and we will do everything to get the right man for the job,” said Barwick. “It will be done differently. We’ve got to learn lessons from the way we did it.” “Qualification for a major tournament is probably a minimum requirement.”

Barwick also said he did not regret giving McClaren a four-year contract. “The contract is a private contract. I don’t regret that now; I think he has tried very hard.”

FA board director and Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards defended Barwick, saying: “Brian has taken a lot of stick about him being the sole person to appoint McClaren. “This responsibility has to be shared among us all. It’s unfair to say he was Brian’s man - he was the FA’s man.”

On the issue of the number of overseas players in the top flight, Richards added: “You would know as well as anybody that the Premier League is the best in the world, because it has the best stars in the world. “There are also rules in the European Union that allow players to come, and clubs will pick the best stars.”

The financial loss to the FA of not qualifying is less than £5m FA chief executive Brian Barwick.Barwick said he felt embarrassed and disappointed about the situation. “I’d like to apologise to the fans personally. “I care about this passionately, it has never been just a job. I’m in it because I care about football, football fans and football teams. “Last night was a tough, tough night. We care about this very much. I understand we have let them down and apologise for that.”

Former Middlesbrough boss McClaren admitted before the Croatia match that he would “take responsibility” if England failed to reach the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland.

The FA took action to dismiss McClaren ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday.

England’s failure to reach a major tournament for the first time since the 1994 World Cup finals will cost the FA at least £5m in lost revenues, confirmed Barwick.

Thompson promised the FA would conduct a “root-and-branch” review of the England team set-up, and that would be led by chief executive Brian Barwick with immediate effect.

News from www.bbc.co.uk/sport

David Beckham has insisted England’s millionaire footballers are suffering badly after their Euro 2008 qualification exit.

Responding to the suggestion England players do not care enough, Beckham said: “There are some people out there who will say that. “But trust me, there is a lot of hurt in that dressing room at the moment. “It doesn’t matter how much money you earn, how many houses or cars you’ve got. When you lose, it hurts.”

After losing 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley and blowing their chance to qualify for next summer’s European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, England players struggled to look to the future.

“It’s pointless saying much at the end of the game, but you’ve got a very disappointed dressing room,” said captain Steven Gerrard. “From the player’s point of view, we’ve got to take the criticism, get on with it, and try and bounce back.

“But it’s going to hurt for a long time. “There’s a lot more football to play in the future and we’ve got to bounce back. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“Obviously we’re disappointed at the moment, but we’ve got to try and get it out of our system. But it will be difficult.”

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England v Croatia
Wembley, London
Wednesday 21 November
Kick-off: 2000 GMT

Coverage: Live on BBC One & BBC Radio 5 Live (commentary on BBC Sport website for UK users only); Coverage on BBC Sport website

England boss Steve McClaren is playing his cards close to his chest ahead of the vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

McClaren must decide whether David Beckham keeps his place and if Paul Robinson replaces Scott Carson in goal.

Beckham started in Austria but could lose out to Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Gareth Barry and Owen Hargreaves are pushing for recalls in what is expected to be a five-man midfield, with Peter Crouch on his own up front.

McClaren said he would tell the players his starting line-up on Tuesday at 1830 GMT.

“I know my team and I have done since the weekend but I am not going to reveal it and I am not giving any clues,” he said.

McClaren did say he valued experience - but not necessarily in the starting line-up.

“Experience is key in big games - not just playing but on the bench and around the team,” he said.

McClaren has stuck by Spurs keeper Robinson throughout a rocky Euro 2008 campaign, but gave Carson his first start against Austria and could be tempted to keep faith with the 22-year-old.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Robinson should start and Beckham will also get the nod in a five-man midfield.

“He’ll pick experienced players, who know what it means not to make a mistake,” said the Frenchman.

“I still think he will go with continuity in goal and the whole country must be behind that because Robinson has delivered good games for England.

“I believe in this kind of game when you are manager, you are always tempted to play with a bit of security. That is why he will go with Lampard, Barry, Gerrard and Beckham.”

However, BBC Radio 5 Live correspondent Mike Ingham believes McClaren will drop both Beckham and Robinson.

“In the past McClaren has indicated early on that Paul Robinson will be his number one choice. He hasn’t done it this time and I have a hunch it will be Carson.

“I think Beckham will be seen as an impact player from the bench.

“England will play 4-5-1 when they’re defending and 4-3-3 when they have the ball and Beckham cannot play in a 4-3-3 because he doesn’t play high enough up the pitch.”

One player who will definitely not feature is John Terry - although the England captain did take part in training on Tuesday.

“There has been a great uplift with the players coming in on Sunday and especially with John Terry coming in and training with the boys,” said McClaren.

“It’s always important to have all the players together. We’ll have John, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney together with us on Wednesday.

“We’ve started together and we’ll finish together.”

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