Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has an ally in the France World Cup camp.
Former France team doctor Jean-Pierre Paclet as defended Anelka's role in Les Bleus' World Cup meltdown.
Paclet, in extracts from his book L'Implosion reproduced in the Sunday Times, played down the player's perceived disruptive influence and insisted Raymond Domenech was aware of the 31-year-old's feelings on his lone striker role, which appears to have been the root cause of the dispute.
"When Domenech went to see Anelka at Chelsea last season, Anelka warned him, let him know that there was no point taking him to South Africa if it was to play him in a position he didn't like," he wrote.
"The problem with the French team wasn't Anelka. You have to understand he is loved within the squad, immensely popular, even if he's introverted."
