Former France striker Nicolas Anelka has named a player that Sir Alex Ferguson controversially sold as the toughest defender he ever faced.
As a journeyman throughout his career, Nicolas Anelka played against Manchester United with seven different clubs.
Anelka won 13 of his 28 matches against United, scoring six goals and registering three assists.
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The Frenchman missed a penalty against United in the 2008 Champions League final, helping the Red Devils to their third European Cup following the triumphs in 1968 and 1999.
Nowadays, Anelka has been known to assist with coaching in the Lille youth academy. It remains to be seen if he’ll ever throw his hat into the ring for a managerial role, but he has been reflecting on some of the best players he came up against during his career.
Nicholas Anelka trying to get past Jaap Stam
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images
Nicolas Anelka couldn’t get the better of Jaap Stam
Anelka has taken part in a TikTok challenge to name the most iconic players from his career for multiple reasons.
Anelka burst onto the scene at Arsenal before signing for Real Madrid. He also played with Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Man City, Bolton, Chelsea, West Brom and other clubs.
It would be fair to say that Anelka has come up against some of the best defenders to ever grace the Premier League, including Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
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However, Anelka named former United defender Jaap Stam as the ‘toughest’ defender he came up against.
Speaking to So Foot, Anelka said: “Jaap Stam, who was playing for Manchester United at the time while I was at Arsenal. Every time I came up against him, it was very difficult to get past him.”
United fans will be forever thankful to Anelka for missing his penalty in Moscow.
Jaap Stam’s Man Utd exit in 2001
Stam’s exit in August 2001 not only came as a shock to United fans, but it was also extremely controversial because Stam was at the top of his game.
Ferguson wasn’t happy with Stam’s autobiography, Head to Head, with several claims angering the manager.
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One claim suggested Ferguson had illegally approached him to join United by doing so behind PSV Eindhoven’s back.
Stam also made comments about his United teammates.
Ferguson instantly sold Stam to Lazio for approximately £16 million. He went on to have an incredible career, most notably at AC Milan.