Nicolas Anelka: "Penalty Miss Was More Difficult For Me Than For John Terry"

Of all the things to come out of that awful night in Moscow, I never dreamed that one of them would be a competition about who feels worse about not winning.

"John is a big player for Chelsea, he has already done something for the club by helping them win so many trophies. I am new so it was more difficult for me."

"I try not to think about it, but it's very hard. Even if I'd scored the penalty I still feel I would have something to prove."

Poor Anelka. I didn't realise it meant so much to him. Especially as he was quoted soon after the match as saying:

“I was asked to be among the five penalty kickers. I said ‘out of the question. I came in almost as right full-back and you want me to kick a penalty?’ Finally I had to go as number seven.”

Obviously being a part of our potential victory meant as much to him as John Terry, who volunteered to take the fifth penalty after Drogba's dismissal.

The fact that "Le Sulk" seemed surprised that he would be expected to take a penalty astounds me.

As a striker, logic would dictate that he would be among the first choices to take a penalty. His primary role on the pitch is to get the ball over the opposition line.

Anelka signed for Chelsea in January this year. John Terry has been at Chelsea since he was 14, in 1994: Terry has played his entire professional career at Chelsea.

By contrast, Nicolas Anelka signed for Arsenal in 1997, left in 1999 and has since played for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe and Bolton Wanderers.

I do not doubt that missing what turned out to be the decisive penalty hurt Anelka. Everyone in the Chelsea squad that night must have felt the pain of losing: that's what happens when you lose.

The fact that Anelka has chosen to take his personal torment and compare it with that of John Terry makes me feel uneasy.

Terry has been our rock, literally, through all of our recent campaigns, even Pre-Abramovich. The passion he has shown for Chelsea time and time again means he has carved out a place in the hearts of fans, especially of my generation, that nobody could replace.

He was courted by Sir Alex Ferguson who wanted him at United, but he chose Chelsea. This was before they were the "Big Four" club they are now.

He was knocked unconscious in the Carling Cup Final against Arsenal in 2007 in a very serious collision with Arsenal's Abou Diaby. After receiving treatment in hospital, he discharged himself in the evening and went to celebrate with the team.

During "The Reading Game" as it will forever be known, he put on a goalkeeper's jersey and gloves and stepped in.

This after Petr Cech had been knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital after a most unseemly knee to the head from Stephen Hunt at the beginning of the game, then in the final minutes, substitute 'keeper Carlo Cudicini suffered a similar fate at the hands of Sionko.

Terry didn't have a single save to make in the 60 seconds or so he was actually in goal, but the point is, he stepped in.

When it comes down to the wire, the one thing Chelsea fans can rely on is that John Terry will be there.

He's played with a broken face, and was playing the Champions League final having dislocated his elbow a few days before in the last game of the season. They'd popped the elbow back in the ambulance and he made them turn round and go back to Stamford Bridge for the end of the match.

For those reasons among many, John Terry is a Chelsea Legend. He has earned respect, from opposition fans and players alike, for the loyalty and passion he shows for the Beautiful Game, every time he plays it. 

Anelka's thinly disguised plea for sympathy is pathetic, and just emphasises why he has a reputation for sulking and whinging. A lot. 

Who feels worse about losing is not important. What is important is what is taken from that experience and what is done to prevent it from happening again.

I really, really hope that Anelka can make it positive. I know JT will.