Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Alex are free to leave the club.

 

Villas-Boas presided over a comfortable 3-0 win away at Newcastle United earlier today before revealing that he has held talks with the pair after each handed in a transfer request.

 

And for the Portuguese it is clear – they can leave.

 

"The conversation was fair and direct with the players", said the former FC Porto coach.

 

"They are top professionals and their professionalism and integrity is never in question, but on recent results and form we have decided to try and get the group together and we have decided to assign different training times for them.

 

"The transfer requests were accepted, but it doesn’t mean it will happen and if it doesn’t happen they will return to full training."

 

Both Anelka and Alex are expected to have no shortage of options once the January transfer window opens.

 

The French striker has been linked with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, AC Milan, Anzhi Makhachkala, Terek Grozny, New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy.

 

Alex meanwhile has long interested Italian giants Juventus.

 

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