EPL Transfer Rumors: Would Nicolas Anelka Be a Good Fit at West Ham?

Just six months after his departure from Chelsea to Shanghai Shenhua, Nicolas Anelka could be on the move once again.

Anelka has been linked with a move back to England and West Ham United to play under his former manager, Sam Allardyce.

Anelka has been brought back to England once before by Big Sam, when Allardyce was managing at Bolton Wanderers in 2006 and bought the forward from Fenerbahce.

Once Allardyce resigned from the club in April 2007, Anelka began to look for a way out of the Reebok Stadium, moving to Chelsea in January of 2008.

Anelka was a valuable part of Chelsea's attack in his four full seasons at the club, but moved to China this summer along with Didier Drogba.

Not only would his familiarity with Allardyce be a plus for Anelka, but he would get the chance to feature as the club's main forward.

With Andy Carroll only on loan from Liverpool for the rest of this season, Anelka could easily take over the role of playing upfront in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Allardyce sends onto the pitch on a weekly basis.

Anelka could also be used as cover for Ricardo Vaz Te, who injured his shoulder in the Hammers' October loss to Arsenal and is expected back around January. 

 If Vaz Te does not regain his pre-injury form, Anelka could be employed on the wing as a provider for Carroll.

The addition of Anelka would also give the Hammers another proven goalscorer to take the pressure off of leading scorer Kevin Nolan.

Nolan has been an integral part of Allardyce's success at Upton Park since the two joined the club last season, and he has led the club back to the Premier League after just one season in the Championship.

The one obstacle for the Hammers would be the outrageous wage Anelka is currently making in China. However, if Anelka were to move back to England, a pay cut would be accepted by the Frenchman.

West Ham does have a good amount of time to work on Anelka's wage situation before the January transfer window opens, should they be serious about bringing the French forward back to England to join the 10th club in his career.