Foreign players that wowed
us and then left us...
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel (Man Utd)
The Great Dane still holds the record for the best game to clean
sheets ratio in the Premiership and has never really been replaced
- despite the best efforts of an overweight Australian, mad
Frenchman and startled Dutchman.
We'll miss: His red nosed rage, star jump saves and even that weird
Scanda-Manc accent
Centre half: Jaap Stam (Man Utd)
He may look like an escaped rock sculpture from Easter Island but
that's how central defenders are supposed to be built.
We'll miss: Watching even Emile Heskey bounce off him and his
misguided writing skills
Centre half: Marcel Desailly (Chelsea)
The Frenchman proved that old-Chelsea wasn't just a retirement home
for ageing Serie A pros with some committed displays towards the
end of his career someone should've told Shevchenko
We'll miss: His clairvoyant sense of positioning and wondering why
he always looks like he's about to piss himself laughing during
interviews
Left back: Dennis Irwin (Man Utd)
Another player from United's treble winning team and the blueprint
'Mr. Dependable' - like a less opinionated Gary Neville
We'll miss: Bending it better than Beckham with his free-kicks and
trying to recall if we've ever heard him speak
Right back: Gary Kelly (Leeds)
Controversial but you try racking your brain for a right back and
at least Kelly was another model of Irish consistency who stayed
with Leeds through thick, thin and anorexic
We'll miss: Trying to work out if that was Kelly, Gary Speed or Ian
Harte on the ball
Central midfield: Patrick Viera (Arsenal)
When every new black player with a lanky gait and bone crunching
tackle is instantly hailed as the 'new Viera' you realise how few
people must have actually seen the original, and still the
best.
We'll miss: His Clash of the Titans confrontations with Roy Keane,
especially if it's about scaring poor little Gary Neville
Central midfield: Roy Keane (Man Utd)
Just reading his name alongside Viera on the team sheet would be
enough to provoke a change of pants for any opposition. One glare
from Keano would be enough to make this entire team play better -
just don't give him reason to hold a grudge, Alfe
We'll miss: The look of total fear in referee Andy D'Urso's face
when just inches away from a vein throbbing Keane tirade
Right forward: Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea)
A real winger might have given more balance but you can't leave out
the horse faced Italian who turned out to be a thoroughbred. Zola
was revered as much for his mesmerising skills as he was for being
an all round bloody nice bloke
We'll miss: His youthful enthusiasm despite being old enough to
father half the team and those flicked goals
Left forward: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Not his natural position but the dearly departed French maestro is
often found lurking on the left - usually just before breaking the
sound barrier. Probably the best player ever to grace the
Premiership
and certainly holder the most irritating goal
celebrations
We'll miss: The gliding movement, the goals and even those Clio
adverts
or maybe not
In the hole: Eric Cantona (Man Utd)
The catalyst that sparked United's resurgence and still the King of
Old Trafford. He excited the fans, inspired the youngsters and was
even good enough to get a rare second chance from Fergie
We'll miss: The upturned collar, puffed out chest, confusing poetry
and kung fu chav-bashing
Striker: Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal)
Not in the mould of a van Nistelrooy style centre forward but we
prefer total football to goal poaching. Bergkamp changed players'
attitudes to lifestyle and brought back technique - but he was
still the only member of the A team that, "Ain't getting' on no
plane, fool"
We'll miss: The moment time seemed to stand still as he flicked the
ball and spun around Niko Dabizaz to score against Newcastle
