Manchester City 2003-2004 Home Shirt - Anelka #39 (XXXL)

For a shirt more than twenty years old, it is remarkable: the sky blue is bright, the satin stripes have kept their sheen and the white V-neck has not yellowed. The First Advice sponsor is complete, the embroidered crest intact and the ANELKA 39 nameset lies flat. No holes, no stains found.

Mind the size: this XXXL measures 70 x 82 cm, a very generous cut. Compare with the flat measurements below, or check my size guide.

Flat measurements

A true big size, wide and long, in the oversized spirit of the 2000s. Lay a shirt that fits you well flat, measure it the same way and compare.

✦ Lifetime authenticity guarantee

Checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If a piece bought from me ever turned out not to be authentic, I refund you in full. No expiry date: only original pieces, never modern re-editions.

• Inner Reebok label (photo 4): red and blue woven logo, 100% polyester composition in several languages, made in Indonesia
• Embroidered crest (photo 3): shield on a navy background, golden eagle and three stars, sewn onto the shirt
• Fabric: alternating matt and satin bands woven into the fabric, not printed
• Cut and finish: white and blue ribbed V-neck, visible topstitching on the side panels, white cuffs

Anelka, the big signing of the Keegan era

In the summer of 2002, Kevin Keegan brought Nicolas Anelka from Paris Saint-Germain for around £13 million, a club record at the time. The Frenchman, formerly of Arsenal and Real Madrid, became the Citizens' attacking reference.

Summer 2003 marked a turning point: City left Maine Road, their home since 1923, for the City of Manchester Stadium built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. This shirt is from that first season in the new ground.

4 February 2004, White Hart Lane. 3-0 down at half-time and reduced to ten men, City turn the tie around and beat Tottenham 4-3 in the FA Cup, one of the most famous comebacks in the club's history.

Anelka wore 39 at City until his move to Fenerbahçe in January 2005.

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