Nicolas Anelka, Alex transfer requests accepted

Chelsea have accepted the transfer requests of Nicolas Anelka and Brazilian defender Alex.

The duo have fallen out of favour with Andre Villas-Boas and it was reported yesterday that the pair were no longer training with the first team.

Both are now expected to leave West London in the January transfer window with former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City striker Anelka already being linked with a move to big-spending Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.

Anelka has made 125 appearances for the Blues, scoring 38 times while Alex has pulled on the blue shirt 87 times, netting seven goals.