Totally Extra: Nicolas Anelka…misunderstood?

The Totally Football Show with James Richardson

The Athletic

Soccer, Unknown, Soccer,, Sports, Football

4.6 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 30 August 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On this week's Totally Extra, Jimbo is joined by Julien Laurens, Duncan Alexander and Michael Cox to celebrate the career of the famous French prodigy/journeyman - Nicolas Anelka.

His footballing CV is unique - from Clairefontaine academy and PSG to Mumbai City via 6 Premier League clubs, and spells in Spain,Turkey and Italy.

Famed for his blistering pace and a penchant for rounding the keeper, but also for his regular fallings out with managers around the globe, resulting in his nickname 'Le Sulk'. He won leagues, cups and a Champions League with Real Madrid but many feel it could have been much more for the frontman that Henry said was better than he was.

Produced by Jesse Howard and Charlie Jones.

RUNNING ORDER:

• PART 1: Welcome to Totally Extra - Jules' love of cricket, Duncan’s quiz question and Coxy’s dining room table (00'40)

• PART 2: This week in football - Ballon D’or winner Pavel Nedved is born and Ronaldo makes his debut at Inter (09'00)

• PART 3: Opening the Totally almanac on Nicolas Anelka (16'10)

• PART 4: Anelka's exile from France and the panel's favourite Anelka moments (46'05)

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Transcript

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