- Aug 11, 2004
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Thought I'd share my latest blog from http://mk9184.wix.com/in-the-mixer#!import-xi/c170j as it has proven to be a real good debating point as people share their own selections.
As Roman Abramovich celebrates the 10th anniversary of the day he bought Chelsea many media outlets are reflecting on the impact that the Russian’s arrival has had on the landscape of the Premier League. The increase in foreign owners and their expansive bank accounts has ensured that the Premier League isn’t just competitive on the pitch, the board rooms and transfer negotiations are now almost as intense. We now live in an era where it is the spending power of foreign owners and the large and sometimes questionable amounts of money that they part with for new signings.
However, a Saturday afternoon sat in front of the TV watching Sky Sports Premier League Years (which in my opinion should be BAFTA winning by now!) got me reminiscing over the era when it was big and exciting signings from abroad that had the largest impact on the league. These individuals were capable of bringing thousands of fans, international media attention and a touch of flair to the blandest looking squads. It was the influx of these individuals that have sculpted the Premier League and its member clubs into the global phenomenon that it is today.
If it was possible to compile a squad of players based solely on the impact they had as an individual on their club’s fortunes, profile and overall appeal it would surely make for a wonderful array of talent and flair that would, on its day, be capable of beating any team put before it.
Now the list of foreign players that have made a huge impact on the Premier League is endless so to choose this squad it is crucial to lay down some ground rules. Only one player can be named from any one club and there must be a clear and valid reason that this player has been chosen. These reasons can vary from; increasing a club’s profile, taking the Premier League by storm, being a catalyst for a dramatic change at a club or being an important cog in a successful period for their respective club.
Formation 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech (Chelsea & Czech Republic)
This one was incredibly difficult to call as there have been some wonderfully gifted goalkeepers that have come to these shores and wowed crowds up and down the country. Cech makes the grade as he has been one of the few consistent members of Chelsea’s most successful Premier League era. Peter Schmeichel came in a very close second but the inclusion of one of his former Old Trafford team mates further down the list put pay to his place in this elite group. Not only has Cech managed to keep the Great Dane out of the team but he also holds of the challenge from the likes of Zola and Drogba as Chelsea’s representative.
Defenders: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City and Belgium)
The inclusion of the Manchester City captain may be a controversial one as the most recent Premier League import to take a place in our squad. However, the impact of the giant Belgian in City’s title winning 2011-2012 campaign is unquestionable. Kompany lead Manchester City to their first title in 44 years, making 40 appearances in all competitions.
Sami Hyypia (Liverpool & Finland)
Two FA Cups, two League Cups, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and one UEFA Champions League as well as two FA Community Shields. Not a bad list of honours amassed by the popular defender in his 10 seasons at Anfield. Hyypia was a crucial member of the Liverpool team that picked up all these trophy wins and is still highly regarded as one of the best bits of business ever done by the Merseyside club. Oh let’s not forget to add to that 105 caps for Finnish national team.
Lucas Radebe (Leeds United & South Africa)
Anyone who Nelson Mandela refers to as ‘my hero’ is surely deserving of a place in a team that focuses on individuals and the impact they single handily made at a club? Part of the 1996 African Nations Cup winning team and the South African 2010 World Cup bid Radebe’s Leeds story is an intriguing one.
Signed by then Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson from Kaiser Chiefs for £250,000 in 1994 in a package deal alongside Phil ‘Chippa’ Masinga (remember him? No me neither) Radebe was only included in the deal to keep Masinga happy. After overcoming some initial injury problems and disagreements with Wilkinson his career at Elland Road flourished under George Graham. After being appointed club captain, Radebe led Leeds to fourth place in the Premier League, which would see them qualify for the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup. That same year a Leeds team littered with big money signings would go onto qualify for the UEFA Champions League, eventually reaching the semi-finals of the competition and providing Leeds fans with some wonderful memories. It wasn’t long after these momentous occasions that things started to turn sour for the Leeds United left behind by Radebe after his retirement.
Midfielders: Juninho (Middlesbrough & Brazil)
The diminutive Brazilian just missed out the honour of being the first Brazilian to play in the Premier League but the buzz surrounding his arrival on Teeside had a huge impact on newly promoted ‘Boro, who beat off competition from some of Europe’s top clubs for his signature. Two cup finals and second place in the Football Writer’s Award in his first season, has lead to Osvaldo Giroldo Junior to being named one of the greatest modern day players to pull on the red shirt of ‘Boro. He would later return for two further spells.
David Ginola (Newcastle United & France)
The Frenchman could have easily been included for his exploits further on into his ‘four club’ career in England, particularly for his individual achievements whilst at Spurs but it is his spell at St James’ Park that forms the basis of his inclusion. Ginola joined Newcastle at a time when then manager Kevin Keegan was looking to put together a squad capable of challenging for major honours. Although it was never quite managed, the Newcastle of Ginola’s era made for enthralling viewing in their tussles for the top spot with Manchester United.
Tim Cahill (Everton & Australia)
A powerful and athletic goal-scoring midfielder, Cahill begun his career in English football with Millwall but it was his move to Everton and the Premier League that really catapulted him to the top of his game. In 2006, Cahill became the first Everton player in 18 years to be nominated for the Ballon D’Or, he was also the only player on the list from a country in the Asian Football Confederation. In his 8 seasons at Goodison he became a firm fans favourite and scored almost 80 goals for the club. Everton also finished 4th in the league, qualifying for the Champions League qualifying rounds in Cahill’s first season, but they failed to make it to the group stage.
Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton Wanderers & Nigeria)
‘So good they named him twice’ according to Bolton fans, Augustine Okocha arrived at the Reebok with a worldwide reputation for his technical ability and flair and he certainly didn’t disappointing his new adoring fans. The excitement that came with the signing of one of the biggest names in African football rubbed off on Bolton and within two years Okocha had been named club captain and lead Wanderers to their first cup final in 9 years and at the time, their highest ever Premier League finish.
Strikers: Eric Cantona (Manchester United & France)
What is there to say that hasn’t already been said about the impact that ‘King Eric’ had at Old Trafford? His name still rings out around the Theatre of Dreams to this day. An impressive trophy haul of 4 Premier League’s and 2 FA Cups in just 5 years firmly cement the eccentric and often controversial Cantona’s place in this team.
Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal & Holland)
Holding off challenges from Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, the legendary Dutchman takes his place as Arsenal’s representative. Signing off the back of a disappointing two year spell at Inter Milan and then struggling to adapt to the English game in the early stages of his Arsenal career resulted in the national media ridiculing him initially. However Bergkamp’s influence on Arsenal’s eventual rise is unquestionable. The arrival of Arsene Wenger was the catalyst for the ‘Non-Flying Dutchmans’ prominence at Highbury. Wenger adopted a fluid attacking style of play and made Bergkamp’s genius and creativity the focal point of his Arsenal team which would go on to win 3 Premier League titles and 4 FA Cups.
Jurgen Klinsmann (Tottenham Hotspur & Germany)
Klinsmann joined Spurs in 1994 under something of a cloud of criticism, partly and somewhat ridiculously because he was part of the German team that had knocked England out of Italia ’90. However, despite only staying at Spurs for one season, Klinsmann scored a total of 29 goals and became a huge fans favourite, with the club selling over 150,000 replica shirts with his name on. He would return to the club for a second spell in the 1997-98 season where 9 goals in a loan spell saved Spurs, then managed by Christian Gross, from relegation.
Subs:
Brad Friedel (Aston Villa & United States)
One of two American’s in the squad, Friedel’s record breaking exploits at Aston Villa secure him a place as back up to Petr Cech in goal. Now plying his trade with Tottenham, Friedel’s career in English football has been a long and often unremarkable one. However a successful spell with Blackburn Rovers lead to him earning a move to Aston Villa in 2008. It was whilst at Villa that Friedel would go on to break the record for most consecutive Premier League appearances (a total which was extended once he moved to Spurs) with well over 250 games under his belt. He is also to this day the oldest player to represent Villa, a record broken in the match against Manchester United in February 2011.
Hermann Hreidarsson (Ipswich Town & Iceland)
Hreidarsson became newly promoted Ipswich’s record signing in the summer of 2000, a season which would go onto become one of the most surprising in the club’s long and illustrious history. Although Hreidarsson only spent 3 seasons at Portman Road, he is included in this squad as a representation of what would unfold for the Tractor Boys upon their return to the top flight, a season in which the Icelander would go onto make 44 appearances. Ipswich, managed by George Burley, spent much of the season in the top 3 and were only pipped by Liverpool to a Champions League place on the last day of campaign. They ultimately finished 5th, qualifying for the UEFA Cup, also being beaten in the FA Cup Semi Final.
A home win over Inter Milan in the 1st leg of the 3rd round of the UEFA Cup the following season wasn’t to be enough for Ipswich who would then go onto be relegated from the Premier League.
Roy Keane( Nottingham Forest & Republic of Ireland)
OK so the inclusion of Roy Keane may be slightly cheating on my part but Keane’s spell at the City Ground dictated the career path of a player who would go on to become one of the greatest Premier League captain’s of all time.
Keane initially struggled at Forest under Brian Clough, the Irishman was even punched in the face and knocked to the ground by his manager after one game. However in the 1992-93 season, which saw Forest relegated, Keane came into his own winning the Forest fans Player of the Year and securing a move to Blackburn Rovers...
Rovers however failed to produce the correct paperwork and Alex Ferguson pounced signing Keane for, a then British transfer record, £3.75million fee. The rest as they say his history.
Paolo Di Canio (West Ham United & Italy)
The hot-headed but wonderfully gifted Italian is a club legend at Upton Park and often proved talismanic for the East London Club. Courted by Sir Alex Ferguson at one point, Di Canio remained at West Ham for four seasons scoring some spectacular goals and putting in some whole-hearted displays. He also won a FIFA Fair Play Award after catching the ball, mid game, to ensure that injury stricken Everton goalie Paul Gerrard could receive treatment.
Clint Dempsey (Fulham & United States)
English football continues to grow in appeal across the pond, and the success stories of several footballers who have converged on the Premier League from stateside has contributed to that.
The often understated achievements of Clint Dempsey in his spell at Craven Cottage earn him a place on the bench in this star studded squad. Among those achievements of the now Tottenham player are; The Premier League’s most prolific American goal scorer, the first American to score a Premier League hat trick, the first American to reach double figures in a season and the first American to appear in a major European cup final.
So that completes my squad of foreign players who have made a great individual impact on the Premier League and their respective clubs. Do you agree with my choices or think you can do better?
Why not tweet your teams to me @IntheMixerBlog
