Nicolas Anelka may not be first pick at West Brom

NICOLAS ANELKA superstar status won’t win him special treatment at struggling West Brom.

Nicolas Anelka cost almost £100m in transfers [GETTY]

The French striker’s CV would make him an automatic pick at some clubs.

But Baggies boss Steve Clarke says Anelka, 34, who has cost almost £100m in combined transfers, will have to fight for his place.

The enigmatic hitman has graced the world’s biggest stages in a career which has taken in Real Madrid, Juventus, Paris St-Germain, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.

He’s yet to get off the mark this season but Clarke won’t single him out for that either.

“But football’s a team game. It’s everybody’s job to create and score goals, not just Nic’s”

Steve Clarke

Clarke said: “It’s a squad game and players have to be ready when selected. I have to pick the best 11 I can. When you’re a star – and Nicolas is – he will grab the headlines.

“But football’s a team game. It’s everybody’s job to create and score goals, not just Nic’s.
“His form, by and large, has been good. He has brought a different ­dimension to the team.
“We need to find more creativity going forward, but that does not apply just to Nicolas.
“It’s up to everyone in the team to step up to the mark, to create more and score one.”

West Brom boss Steve Clarke says Anelka will have to fight for his place like everyone else [GETTY]