Blues to continue Anelka pursuit

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Bolton rebuffed Chelsea's initial offer but negotiations are set to continue as the Blues look to strengthen their attacking options.

Bolton manager Gary Megson had already refuted suggestions that a deal was imminent but a brief statement on Chelsea's official website read: "We can confirm we have made an official offer for the transfer of Nicolas Anelka, which is being discussed with Bolton Wanderers."

Chelsea will go into their Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Everton on Tuesday night with one fit striker in the form of Claudio Pizarro.

Anelka has taken Chelsea's eye after scoring 11 goals even though the former Arsenal striker signed a new four-year contract earlier this season.

Chelsea are desperate to boost their firepower with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou away on international duty with the Ivory Coast, along with Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigerian Mikel John Obi.

Mikel is available for the Carling Cup showdown and although Drogba admits he is still thinking about his future at Stamford Bridge, England midfielder Joe Cole says he never had any such doubts following the departure of previous coach Jose Mourinho in September.

Cole said: "I'm committed to Chelsea and love the club. I'll stay here as long as they want me. The club is more than the manager. The club's the club. That's got to be on top of the pile, above the players and the managers. It's a club I've loved.

"The manager's a strong guy and not interested in listening to too many opinions, like other managers. It'd be nice to kick-start the new regime with the first trophy on board. It's about winning trophies at the end of the season. Last season was successful. We were in four competitions and we won two of them.

"We didn't win the two major ones, but we were beaten in one of them on penalties in the semi-final. If we'd got to the Champions League final, it would have been the best season in the club's history. It's a work in progress."