Nicolas Anelka knows that so long as Chelsea’s defence does their job, Chelsea will win every game this season.
With the Blues having scored 14 goals and none conceded in the opening three league games, and sitting pretty at the top of the pile, Anelka is confident that they can retain their Premier League crown.
“Well, it is going to be difficult to win every game. We will try to do it,” said the French hit man.
“But the Premier League is so open – there is lot of big teams. We will try to win each game, and we will see what happens.
“Even if we score only once, we can switch very quickly. It is good to know when we play at Chelsea that if I don't score Drogba can score; if he doesn’t then Malouda can score; if nobody scores Kalou will come on and score. Everybody can score in this Chelsea team.
“When we run on the pitch we have the mentality that we will not concede a goal. We know almost every time we will score at least one goal, so the most important thing is to come on the pitch and not concede. After that we and try to score.”
Anelka’s confidence is well founded and much of their early-season form is down to the brilliance of Florent Malouda.
Anelka is full of praise for his countryman: “He is a transformed player in the last year.
“Now he scores more goals than before. I think he wants to score more and more. He has been with Chelsea three or four years, so he is used to it and he now has a bit more confidence on the pitch. And you can see that.
“He is intelligent, he can score, and pass and he is very strong. So he has got everything.
“I know him because I also play with him in the national team. I knew him before, as a mate.
“He is normal – lively. He likes to listen to his ragga music and dancehall music.
“It is difficult to come from the French league and straight away to pick things up in England – it is tough. The league is stronger, everything is quicker
“You have to get some games to get sure of the English game. Flo has been here three, almost four years – so now I think he knows the English Premier League, and you can see that on the pitch.
“Flo is one of the best wingers. I think he says he wants to score more goals than last season, when he had 15 goals. If he can score more this season he will be one of the best.
“We are friends first. The most important thing is for Chelsea to win every game. It doesn't matter if it is Flo, Didier, Kalou or me – to win is the most important.