Anelka unveiled as 'World Of Warcraft' boss's newest character.

Getty Images: Anelka with Chairman Zhu Jhun

United States, U.A.E and Russia are just a few examples of countries that spring to mind when a 'Global Superstar' reaching the climax of his career pops up.  Look at Beckham, he has single-handedly turned the MLS on its head over the pond, since then Robbie Keane has followed suit.  There was no keeping quite of the 'Anzhi-Eto'o' summer saga either, many of these players state personal reasons for their moves; new country for family, new traditions etc - but with Nicolas Anelka's January switch to Shanghai Shenhua - the powerhouses in business are really beginning to flex their muscles.


With the exclusion of Gazza, whose mightily unimpressive four game Chine stay in 2003 didn't end too well - no real 'Global icon' has given the SuperLeague a real go.  The Chinese football market is that of one beginning to flourish, their top league only turned professional in 1994 and the SuperLeague ten years later.  Perhaps behind all footballers moving to such a nation to complete their professional years do have dollar signs rolling in the back of their heads somewhere, but it would be nice to believe some do hop over to really help and move the leagues forward

Gazza was the prime example of how
such a move can go horribly wrong

.

This is where Anelka's switch shines out - according to ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant Anelka "Always goes for the best deal" and whilst his lethargic, expressionless attitude at Stamford Bridge must have wound up many a Chelsea fan, it will be very interesting to see if his body language changes.

'Hi-5!' The ex-City teammates will now
be rivals in the SuperLeague

Maybe of course, he just misses his ex-Manchester City Sun Jihai - now of Shaanxi Renhe - so much he had to cross two continents to be re-united.



One is slightly leaning towards the former.

Shangai's latest owner (they have had three in almost as many months!) is Zhu Jhun - a multi-millionaire behind many of the Chinese games development and more impressively - the controversial online fantasy: World of Warcraft (WOW). Anelka has landed himself a pay-package of £200k a week, with his time dwindling out at Chelsea, whilst being stuck next to Fernando Torres on the substitute bench he must have wondered just where it was all heading.  This Chinese contract would have made him feel all his Christmas's had come at once.

Marlon Harewood - a fellow journeyman (admittedly on a slightly cheaper scale than Nic) spent 10 games playing for Guangzhou R&F, he is now incidentally back in England desperately searching for a Championship club to take him up.  According to ex-Villa and Blackpool man Harewood, that is all the Chinese SuperLeague is at the moment a "Decent Championship level".

Former Villa forward Harewood in happier
Guangzhou times.

Not half-a-bad salary for The Championship, eh Nic?  Even if his lethargic persona was still attached in Shanghai, his undoubted talent will get him through - he will score goals.  The pivotal question will be conditions and settlement, completely a la a certain Cameroonian forward in Russia.  It's a far cry off the days of Stamford Bridge, The Bernabou or Anfield but if anyone can acclimatise to a side that is only 18 years old, with a stadium capacity of just over 30,000, for £200,000 a week I would put my savings on it being Nicholas Anelka.

I wish him all the luck, perhaps he could spark that transition of world stars to the East, or perhaps he'll give it even less than Marlon Harewood, even less than Paul Gascoigne - to decide if it really is for him.

Maybe Anelka should reply to Sun Jihai's phone calls.