Nicolas Anelka has insisted he is so happy at Chelsea that he wants to sign a new long-term contract with the club. The French striker also made it clear he was happy with Carlo Ancelotti's rotation policy, after helping the Blues to a 2-0 victory over west London neighbours Fulham yesterday.

Anelka returned to the starting line-up against the Cottagers after being relegated to the bench for Tuesday's 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The 30-year-old and strike partner Didier Drogba both made goals for each other as Chelsea achieved three wins out of three under their new Italian coach.

But despite their success against Fulham, Anelka will not be stamping his feet should Ancelotti decide to leave him out against Burnley next Saturday. By contrast, he is so settled that he is already looking to sign a new contract.

When asked it he was surprised to be on the bench against Sunderland after helping Chelsea win their opening fixture 2-1 against Hull City, Anelka replied: "No, the manager said sometimes he will rest some people, so I rested.

Everyone wants to play every game, but the manager said in some games he will change the players and get some people to rest, and we have to accept it.
Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka

"In the week some people rested and we won, and against Fulham some people rested and we won. That's important because it's a long season and we need everybody in the squad.

"The most important thing is to win with Chelsea. Of course everyone wants to play every game, but the manager said in some games he will change the players and get some people to rest and we have to accept it."

Big club, big future
Anelka is also hoping to put pen to paper on a new contract extension with the Blues. His future had been the subject of feverish speculation during the summer, but the France international has clear plans to stay at Stamford Bridge.

"I'm really glad to play and score goals for Chelsea and I hope I will be here for many more seasons," said Anelka. "I was saying I wanted to be at a big club and I am at a big club, Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I'm very happy.

"I want to be here, I like to play with big players and I like to try to win everything. I would be pleased to sign for many years. We will see what happens. I am at a big club now in Chelsea and things are going well, so there's no need to move anymore. I want to help my club and I'm happy to be here."

We are just happy to be on the pitch together. I want him to score and he wants me to score. I think we showed that against Fulham.
Nicolas Anelka on his partnership with Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba

Anelka's partnership with Drogba is also flourishing and the Frenchman warned the rest of the defenders in the Premier League that it is likely to get even better. "We want to play together and we are just happy to be on the pitch together," said the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers player.

"I want him to score and he wants me to score. I think we showed that against Fulham. When I get the ball I try to look for him, and when he's got the ball he tries and looks for me, so it's easier to score goals with that. But the more time we spend on the pitch playing together then the understanding gets better, and I think we will score more goals."