"He plays on the left... He plays on the righhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhht,
ooooooo that boy Conway, makes Messi look shiteeeeee"
As betterthancola reaches relative middle age for a blog how better to celebrate the 10,000 view mark than by congratulating my beloved Cardiff City, on finally achieving promotion, and, as the cherry on the cake we go up as champions. So before I get into the meat of the post I just want to make sure that all you guys who asked for your money back at the start of the season when we changed kits and vowed never to support again, I just want to make sure you are still enjoying not being a Cardiff fan. Pricks.
As our thoughts turn now to how and who is going to make the current squad strong enough to survive the rigours of the strongest league in the world. Malky has been promised twenty five million, and, has already said he will be ruthless in culling an rebuilding the current team to keep us up. I for one cant wait to see, and, Id love a Kalou 8 shirt next season. So far the names Ive heard thrown around by 'serious' sources are: Hal Robson Kanu, Park Ji Sung, Bobby Zamora, Darren Bent, Yannick Sagbo, James Collins, Ryan Shotton, Adam le Fondre... the season isnt even over yet, for me Malky will steer clear of these bargain buys, who have already proven to be not good enough to keep teams up, he's a canny manager and I think we will be shopping abroad and relying on one or two loanees.
What a good segway into the topic for todays discussion... For me, there is no such thing as a one player team. Teams like Spurs and Swansea are getting a bad reputation this season for being just this. But one player, a Bale or a Michu or a van Persie or even a Messi cant make a team. People say spurs wouldn't be where they are without Bale, fine, where would you be without your top scorer?? Its not as if without these players any of these sides would be scrapping for relegation, and, at the same time adding Gareth Bale or Van Persie into the Reading side would not put them in a European contention place. It speaks volumes about the character of football fans (its not good) that instead of constructing a valid argument to bad mouth our fierce rivals (there are billions btw) we just rely on saying "yeah, well without soandso, you'd be shit"
How to best demonstrate that one player doesn't make a team...
This is Mr Loic Remy. He has eighteen international caps for his native France, unfortunately he has had to compete Karim Benzema and Thierry Henry for the majority of his career. He has played for and won trophies for Lyon, Lens, Nice and Marseille He is 26 years old, he has played two hundred and one professional games and has scored seventy four goals. In January he signed for QPR, since then he has played nine games, he has scored nine goals. Even though QPR were already doomed when he joined, even a full season with this man wouldn't keep them up, even a goal per game from this man wouldn't have kept them up. For me he is the best player that has ever been relegated from the premier league.
This is Mr Scott Parker. In 2011 he was relegated with West Ham Utd. he was 'hammer' of the year. He found the net 7 times (not bad for someone that doesn't actually know the goals are located at either end) and he credited as the sole reason the Hammers came out for a second half at WBA and clawed back a draw from three nil down. The next season he was snapped up by spurs and has enjoyed international call ups and adulation galore. Also relegated with West Ham that season was one Mr Demba Ba.
That's Mr Fabrizio Ravenelli. In 1996 Bryan Robson paid seven millions of pounds for him (in 1996 this was an extra ordinary amount of money for a footballer). He scored a hat-trick on his début against LOLverpool. The side also contained this gentleman:
That is Senior Juninho Paulista, he won a world cup!! He is widely considered to be Middlesbroughs best ever player.
These two players were among the best in the league that season, together they guided their ward to both domestic cup finals!! Despite this by Christmas relegation was a real threat, some might remember the squad was then hit with severe flu, and, manager Robson claimed he didn't have enough players to field a team, for this he was fined a meagre three points, but, it was enough to send the northerners down.
Oh they also had, Mikkel Beck!!
Four players that are amongst the best ever to grace match of the day... proof absolute that one player does not make a team, if one player could make a team, Juninho would have won a cup easily, Scott Parker would be England captain and people like Chris Kamara, Danny Mills, Attilo Lombardo, Stuart Pearce, Damien Duff and John Barnes would never have experienced the displeasure of having their teams relegated.
February already innit.
my buffday has come and gone, so too valentines... nothing of note to report though im afraid. Well I say nothing, this past few months I have been working easily harder than I have ever worked before, but it seems like every penny I earn costs me two in outgoing to the taxman or the bank or suppliers. Maybe self employment isnt for me, i miss having disposable income. I think back to when i was employed and single and all the crazy worthless shit I bought just because I had spare money flying around.... shouldve wouldve couldve.
Anyways as Flexoff draws near and with my dear Super Eagles now firmly in hold of the #AFCON my thoughts turn to the beautiful game once again.
In fact as discussed with my good friend several times this month here for your delectation is my all time top starting eleven footballers with the best names ever....
GK:
10 years as stand in Portugal goalie, two stints at Braga and one at Benfica. Still at the top of his game in the Portuguese league. This is Quim
Defenders;
40 caps for South Korea- Oh Bum Suck
4 caps for the now defunct Congo Republic and a brief stint at hannover... Bongo Christ
30 german caps including a Europeon Championship winners medal in 1996- Stefan Kuntz
5 French caps, currently at Marseilles if you want a shirt, Rod Fanni
Midfielders:
Germany once again coming up trumps for comedy, this is Wolfgang "the" Wolf,
Cameroon international and currently at Sochaux this player chooses Yaya on his shirt, maybe because the shirts are bright yellow and his surname is Banana
uncapped Australian international who has enjoyed time in the UK with Swindon... Danny Invincible
Enough said
Forwards:
Most expensive premier league shirt of all time was Hull Citys Vennegoor of Hesselink 13 shirt in 2009
Darren Bent... lol
I know it was just a quickie, but sometimes that's all you need isn't it... plus Ghostbusters is on!!!! Did you know John Candy, Eddie Murphy, John Belushi and Paul Reubens were all meant to be in the movie but either turned down the script or died!!!
I may well furnish you with more film knowledge soon... but, in the mean time you can feast your peepers on these...
Time for resolutions, a week of salads and yet more impending realization that we're all getting older and accomplishing nothing with our lives...
But hey ho, no need to be glum freddos are still affordable, pizza has never been more accessible and forty year old virgins have made easier than ever before to download music, movies and television for zero pounds, every cloud and that.
How was your Christmas Mine was good. My parents, bless them bought me a 3d tv, I didn't have the heart to tell them I have no use for such a device as I cant afford the subscription or the dongle or the external hard drive to make it work. its currently on ebay. I did get some well comfortable pjs and a bottle of hot sauce, spectacular return to form from my family in the shit gifts stake.
Anyways... onto this months blogroastingblogposting,
as I was casually returning to my television today, after my usual early viewing of this morning, I happened across something that caught my attention. Im not a regular viewer of this program but the topic of discussion made my ears prick up with attention...
'its embarrassing, he just an ageing hipster' and 'hes not cool, he's just dining out on past glory.' what on earth could ITVs Loose Women be chirping about??? Oh David Bowie?? I reeled in disbelief. As a Bowie fan, Im obviously going to disagree with such moronic liable, but it got me to thinking. With Bowie currently at number 1 and set to headline Glastonbury this year, what possible reason could this excuse for television have for Bowie bashing??? Perhaps the world as I know is upside down, everything I hold as cool is actually uncool, perhaps I've hit that age where all the stuff I like has turned into all the stuff I used to snort a hearty derision at.
No!! I refuse with all the stubbornness that I have come to be known for!!!
These people are NOT cool!!
The Loose Women:
A panel consisting of failed actresses, singers, presenters and slaggy media whores spouting daily mail politics with all the wit and charm of a pencil sharpener that is past its prime. A viewership consisting of menopausal heaps and students eating soup doesn't make your opinions worth listening too. Also being famous for marrying Chris Evans makes less than less than a celebrity.
Media Celebs; Sorry Alex Reid but you personify my annoyance with this genre of person. Anyone famous for marrying someone else is not cool
Kate Moss; 'nothing tastes as good as thin feels', way to be a role model dick. Not eating and wearing stuff does not make you cool.
Anyone in Towie; Why are you on my television ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!! Spend ten minutes less a week preening your fucking eyebrows and read a fucking book. This goes ten times for Joey Essex.
RiRi and Chris Brown; It goes without saying, she is hotter than the actual sun. But what better way to highlight the frailty of the female as a gender than to be one of the most in demand female music acts in the world than to fall back into the arms of man convicted of beating the shit out of you. A million times no.
These people however ARE cool:
David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust, The pale White Duke, Jareth the Goblin King. Currently top of the UK singles chart, released a song just to celebrate his 66th birthday, without any hype or party time, doesn't parade about with supermodels 40 years his junior. The star man has been cool since the 60s and no amount of middle ages attention whores can convince me otherwise.
Professor Brian Cox OBE; 44 years old, currently Professor of Physical Sciences at Manchester University. Co presenter of stargazing live, on every night this week on BBC2. Obtained all his qualifications aged 31, after spending 17 years touring the world playing keyboards for former chart worriers D-ream. He may not dress too hot but the man oozes cool, his enthusiasm and joy for his work makes him cool, and, you cant go wrong with a black t shirt right?
Noel Fielding; The Mighty Boosh, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Luxury Comedy. Widely described as a cross between a male Joan Jett drag act and a futuristic prostitute Fielding has always said of his fashion 'i dont care what other people like, if i think its funky i'll put it on and wear it as a jumper' when his most recent serie sLuxury Comedy was panned by critics he retorted ' couldn't give a fuck mate, i laughed, and at the end of the day im the one getting paid'
Jameela Jamil; Jam-Jam,not just T4 hangover fodder. You wont see her pissed up falling out of Mahiki. A TV presenter with brains as well as a bookish clumsiness that only years of practice can perfect. This week she becomes the first ever female solo host the radio one chart show, and while some may describe what she wears as eclectic she has her very own line for very.co.uk along with messors Cotton and Willobooby.
David Beckham; he's won every cup you can think of, represented and captained his country with the kind of quiet calm that modern footballers hold little value for. Championed his country at all times, model father, style icon and general all around lovely lump... so much so we've all but forgotten that Rebecca Loos thing. I heart you Becks.
Hope you've all been well and you're settling yourselves into the Autumnal season and gearing up for your trick or treating and firework parties.
Again there has been a gap between posts and again its because at the moment Im preferring to wait until something I particularly want to vent my feelings about crops up to bore your eye holes with.
Today is Monday, now im normally a bit sad on a Monday, but today is an extra sad Monday. Despite not having to work today, and, getting out around the county with my camera for the first time in about a billion years (results below), I find myself revisiting an issue that recently I've written, spoken and argued in the pub till my throat was sore about.
Some of you may have already caught the news today, some of you may have read you favored rag, some of you may even have tuned into the most excellent Colin Murray last night on MOTD2. Yesterday was a big day in the premier league, it was Chelsea vs Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, easily the most successful ground in London in recent years. And once again what was a brilliant game for fans and neutrals alike is overshadowed by the foul ugly head of racism in sport.
No strangers to having to deal with these issues recently it was not the blue of Chelsea accused this time around, nor was the red of United on the receiving end. Black was well and truly the controversial colour this weekend as referee Mark Clattenburg is accused of using inappropriate language, including a racial slur.
Now just to clarify, at the moment, it is just an accusation. But in football there is very rarely smoke without fire in these situations, and, if what I have researched and from sources in the know are true then Chelsea player John Obi Mikel stormed into Clattenburgs dressing area after the final whistle to 'demand' an apology for he deemed to be unsuitable language during his booking, while another 'un-named' Chelsea player accuses Mr Clattenburg of using the words 'Spanish T*at'.
Clattenburg racially abused players?
As a top flight official Mr Clattenburg has never shied away from the limelight, he is no stranger to controversy.
He is known by fans and players alike as a very chatty referee with a very 'matey' style of officiating, which in the past has annoyed players, managers and fellow officials.
He incensed Mark Hughes a couple of years ago by asking him 'how on earth do you put up with Craig Bellamy?' before showing the Welshman a red card, he allowed Nani a goal after spurs goalkeeper had put the ball down for a free kick, he failed to send off Kuyt for a waist high lunge and he was the referee that didnt give one of the easiest to spot goals in Premier League history.
Clatteenburg said 'no goal'
On Saturday night he was one of the top FIFA officials in the world, and set to be England representative at the next 3/4 major tournaments, on Monday afternoon he will face serious inquiries that will effect his career and status.
If found guilty of these accusation there is no way on earth he should ever be allowed to officiate over another game of football, at any level. Hell I wouldn't want him to show up to run the line for my under 9s team.
After recent event in the sport is it just me that want a definitive answer in this one?
I dont want it to come down to his word against his this time, or any kind of squirming that seemingly got John Terry of the hook, I dont want him rolling out his half cousin twice removed who happens to be one fifth cherokee. Dear Football Association... sort it out!
Some people may be aware that football refs do actually wear microphones, and although these devices are not set to record they do transmit directly to all the other officials at the ground... so the two linesman and the fourth know exactly what has been said. It is their duty not just as respected officials but as human beings to come forward and tell the truth. And while we're there, just activate the microphones so that we can all hear what is being said, like they do in rugby. If this were the case im sure we could all make up our minds once and for all if any racism was taking place, it would also in my humble completely irradiate the problem of lack of respect to referees, as i doubt Rooney or Ronaldo would be so quick to tell a ref to go Fuck himself knowing that once those words are broadcast to a kazillion viewers then they would provide little draw for the Nikes and the Coke-Colas advertising teams.
After recent events in my beloved sport it is little wonder that some of the players of ethnic backgrounds have come out publicly and criticized the professional footballers associations plans and procedures for eliminating racism in the game, most noticeably the Ferdinand brothers. In fact the option has recently been raised that there should be an alternative 'black players' union option available to those that qualify.
For me this is a terrible terrible idea, surely this is only going to fan the flames of the feeble small minded minority that are currently the scourge of the modern game with their outdated racist opinions. In fact faced with the prospect of losing nearly half its members, even the PFA has taken an actual stance on an issue!! Well done! Action at last! but is it the action required? The PFA has directly consulted with victims of racism in the game and black players globally to develop what they have called a six part plan to rid the game of this most vile of hindrances. Below are the six points, with my two cents in there as well;
1--- The PFA intends to speed up the process of dealing with reported racist abuse with the close monitoring of all incidents. This is such a wishy washy sentence that it shouldn't even be included in this report!!! You're going to speed up when dealing with it? So you're not doing everything you can at the moment? Get a grip guys, this is another situation that shouldnt crop up and wouldnt if referees were fully mic'd and the audio was broadcast and recorded. We would have a definitive yes he did or no he didnt as and when incidents occured.
2--- Stiffer penalties for those found guilty, including equality awareness for culprits and clubs involved. :/ we are going to put grown men who earn 10s of millions of pounds a year into an equality workshop! Crumbs cheif executives. If i worked in a telesales call centre and opposite where i sit was my closest sales rival, if i went into work one day and he had beaten to me to a sale, if i called him a 'fucking ni**er'. I wouldnt not have a job to go back to the next day... the fact that this is different when youre good at football and earning a sizable salary is fucking sickening... it is the very thing that is underlined the doctorine within sport at the moment that it is okay to be a racist!
3--- a 'Rooney Rule' Just to be clear this isnt a rule that requires all players to have ridic hair transplants and pie faced babies. The Rooney Rule was intriduced in American Football nearly a decade ago. It basically ensures that african american are considered for high profile roles within the sport. It is directly responsible for an 18% rise in the amount of coaches who are of ethnic minority within the sport. Its application to Britain would be beneficial, as it is at grass roots level that idiots get their chance to be idiots and having more minorities in positions would begin to eliminate these morons.
4--- Proportions of black and minority coaches to be monitored more carefully and gaps to be highlighted accordingly. as above
5--- Racial abuse to be considered 'gross misconduct' in both player and coach contracts. We're so close there to an actual plan, making something "potentially" a sack able offence isn't good enough. High profile players would still carry favor with owners and fans. Having it a legal requirement to be written into the contracts of all players, coaches, officials that anyone found guilty of racial abuse at a criminal level WILL be immediately relieved of duties, maybe a bit more decisive??
6--- Not lose sight of other potentially discriminatory issues such as gender, sexual orientation, disability etc Rather typically the PFA cover their own arses by letting us know that no other issues are currently cropping up in professional football... just the mass racism then? Oh how many gay professional footballers are there again?
Six ways to save football?
Its a start at least.
Below you can read an open letter to the Football Association, thats I have personally compiled.
The Professional Footballers Association
20 Oxford Court
Bishopsgate
Manchester
M2 3 WQ
To Whom it may Concern,
Sadly, I am not a professional footballer, no amount of keepy uppies or practicing my autograph have ever led me to this path in life.
But I am lucky enough to be involved with my local club in a coaching capacity, in particular, for the junior teams.
I am writing to inform you of a very regrettable incident which occurred recently while my very successful under 10's team were playing in one of their regular league fixtures. As is not unusual in these games it was a very high scoring affair with both teams giving everything for the win, as the game entered its dying moments the referee (who is a volunteer colleague and very good friend of mine) failed to give a free kick for what seemed an obvious foul on our 'star' player. As the game played on I could scarcely believe my own ears when I heard my own player while getting up from the tackle shout a racial slur at the perpetrator of the foul. For a moment I was in complete shock, I ran it through my head time and time again maybe Id misheard? As the game ended only moments later, I immediately approached the opposition coach and the referee to query what Id heard, the referee was unaware but both the opposition coach and the player involved confirmed to my horror what Id heard.
The action I took was immediate. The player involved was called to me along with his parents immediately, before they had even reached the changing rooms, and while the rest of the team bantered about a well earned draw while getting changed I explained in detail to the child and parent why this type of language is unacceptable and how let down I felt by the incident. As most people with experience of children will agree at times they simply do not care when they are being told off, neither did the parents. As this was apparent the course of action for me was limited... both parents and child were told under no cicumstances would the boy be playing football for the team again this season, if he wished to return next season it would be down to whomever took charge then, as well as this I would be recommending that he be removed from the county squad under the same circumstances and his school would also be informed of this, so they can decide on whether he would continue to represent them in the sport.
Harsh. Yes. Uncalled for? No.
No doubt the severity of the term he used was somewhat lost on the boy as he only recently heard and read of his hero Mr Luis Suarez using the term. No doubt in my mind either that if he returns to the club (which im sure he will, as his parents now face a near 1hr commute 3 times a week to get him to and from a club that will allow him to play) the time he has spent away from his friends and the environment we strive to create here, the severity will have dawned upon him.
I apologise for the tangent.
Dear PFA if professional footballers are going to take it upon themselves to act like ignorant children then treat them like ignorant children!
Kind Regards
Mark Steven Dalgleish
(Dreamt of being a Professional Footballer)
The letter was sent on monday the 29th of October 2012
Hello possums,
Now I do realize that very often I write to you all about the wonderful sport of soccer-tainment and the issues and trials and tribulations surrounding the beautiful game. I also realize that this may alienate some of you who do enjoy the sport watching or playing... for this i say tough poops, I break it up with enough inane nonsense to please you all, deal with it.
I enjoyed writing my previous list the http://betterthancola.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/but-there-were-planes-to-catch-and.html post so much I begin this week with the first installment of "Taffs Ten Top Tens" a series of ten top ten of varying subjects... this weeks subject I chose as currently the news is flood with news of andy carrolls imminent departure from Anfield, a fair short time after a much debated £35,000,000 transfer. Despite a recent return to something resembling form Andy has only managed 6 goals in 42 games for the once mighty LOLverpool, but, luckily for the gypsy haired giant this is just enough to keep him out of:
Taffs All time Worst ever transfers of all time ever ever.
1. Goalkeeper; Massimo Taibi (Manchester United)
One of only two goalkeepers ever to score from open play in Serie A. The 'Venetian Blind' cost Sir Alex £4.5 million in 1999. With Peter Schmeichels treble winning boots to fill it was never going to be easy for Mas. In his debut against Liverpool he flapped very continentally at a Sami Hypia free kick, but went on to get a man of the match in a 3-2 win. But unfortunately the other 3 games he played for manchester united didnt end so well, and, he managed to concede a further 8 goals, including that one where Le Tiss put it through his legs from 40 yards. 1.20 million per game, not so good value for fergie. He actually went on to have a mediocre career back in Italy.
2. Right Back: Khalid Bouharouz (Chelsea)
'The Cannibal' was named so because of his ability to 'eat up' his oppenents. He cost the chosen one a cool £8.5 million in 2006. He was given such a price tag because he could play 'anywhere' especially across the back four, Jose gave him the number 9 shirt. He started off okay and i remember him popping a prime time Ronhaldinho in his pocket for 90 mins in a champions league game. But as the year wore on people realised he couldnt pass, he had an appauling first touch and all he could really manage was to occasionally make contact with the football as he fell to the floor. His career can be opitomised in one moment, the moment pint sized fox in the box Robbie Keane did a stepover so slowly Khalid instantly fell to his bottom and allowed him to score. He was bit part at Stuttgart until this year, he's available currently on a free.
3: left back; Paul Konchesky (Liverpool)
A Product of the same youth system that spat out such footballing dignitaries as John Terry and Jermaine Defoe, £4million was a bargain for a defender who had already amassed 200 premier league starts and Europa league runners up medal. 31st august 2010 he signed a four deal with Liverpool, 4 months later he joined Nottingham Forest and 4 months after that Leicester City snapped him up for a 'nominal' fee. The lesson this football story imparts: footballers who state their idol is Julian Dicks probably going to be an arsehole
4: centre back; per kroldrup (Everton)
Not to be outdone by their red neighbors Everton splashed out a cool £5 million on the Dane on the back of a European Championships in which he played exactly 0 minutes of football. A rare miss for the Moyes-sahhia, he made his debut in a 4-0 loss at the hands of Aston Villa, he stated he was struggling with the physical aspect of the British game, he left. He can still be seen enjoying not being tackled in Italy.
5: Centre Back (L); Djimi Traore (Charlton)
When Alan Pardew was asked would you like a defender thats comfortable in the middle or on the left, has over 100 premier league starts, a champions league winners medal and is one of the most capped players of all time for his nation he had already written and signed the check before anyone told him it was Djimi Traore. Unfortunately that check was for two million pounds and constituted the majority of Charltons transfer budget for the season. He was sent off on his debut, and then again in his first match back after a 4 game ban. He played 11 times in total, before being shipped off to Portsmouth to help them get relegated. Dont blame it on the sunshine, dont blame it on the moonlight, dont blame it on the goodtime, blame it on traore.
6: Right Midfield; Bebe (Manchester United)
The story of Bebe (Tiago Corriera) is one that could oh so easily be part of a Hollywood blockbuster. Abandoned as a child in Cape Verde, he was adopted by his grandmother and the lived in Lisbon, but was taken into care by his church. After playing in several street football festivals and the homeless world cup he signed professional terms in Portugal, the club he signed for had financial problems and never actually paid him a wage, but he was free to sign for another, Guimareis. They slapped an £8 million price tag on him, which for some reason attracted Carlos Quiroz, who at the time was Fergies number two (in every sense of the word). Sir Alex met Bebe on the day he arrived to sign papers. If it was a movie of course Bebe would come on a sub and score the winner in the champions league final, of course life is not a movie and Bebe isnt actually any good at football. Still at United, been on loan to Besikitas, last seen being used as a sub in the bright lights fa cup tie against crawley town, in which he failed to impress.
7: Left Midfield; Albert Luque (Newcastle United)
Possibly the only player to have ever scored for Newcastle against Sunderland and still be remembered as terrible. I recall him being more one sided than the argument for a registry for sex offenders. He cost Greame Souness a princely £9.5 million english pounds. His transfer was investigated by the Stevens report in 2007 and found there were serious anomalies. Basically Souness has signed a bag of shite on the promise of a brown envelope, he still managed 21 games for the magpies before joining Ajax for zero pounds and zero pence.
8: Central Midfield (L); Juan Sebastion Veron (Manchester United)
Probably Sir Alexs biggest faux pa, as well his top ten hat trick. Sebba cost the red devils a kings ransom or £28,100,000, which was at the time the most expensive transfer in English football history. He wasn't too bad in the Champions League, but he was yet another victim of 'the English game,' essentially he didn't like the fact the opposing players had the cheek to close him down and tackle him before he was allowed to pass the ball. Despite this Fergie defended the Argentine by saying 'he is a fucking great player, you're all fucking idiots.' at a press conference.
9: Central Midfield (R) Juan Sebastion Veron (Chelsea)
Roman Abramovich has a thick wallet, and, as if to demonstrate it he forked out £15,000,000 for sebba after Fergie reluctantly admitted he had no future at Manchester United. He managed 15 appearances and even got himself a goal before the special one sent him back to italy where he enjoyed much more success as he was afforded the time and space he needed on the pitch. Last seen enjoying the adulation of Diego Maradonna while being handed the international captains armband for Argentina
10: Striker; Sergei Rebrov (Tottenham Hotspur)
Through the decade of the 90s the teaming of Rebrov and Shevchenko catapulted an otherwise mediocre Dinamo Kiev side to international super stardom. Shev banked himself a transfer to the Italian top division, and soon afterward the premier league came knocking for the Ukrainian League all time top goalscorer. It was George Graham who outbid Man Utd and Arsenal with modest eleven million pounds. Sergei offered an even more modest return, bagging 9 goals in his first season and career ending 1 goal in 31 matches during his second season. More than a million pounds per goal is too much even in today football economy.
11: Striker; Steve Marlet (Fulham)
Fulham got promoted to the Premier League in 2001, the chairman, Mohammed Al-Fayed celebrated by splashing out £11.5 million plus fees on the french target man Marlet. He managed 11 goals in two season before he was sent to Lyon, where Fulham continued to pay his wages. Just as a gauge as to how bad Market was, Al-Fayed sacked the manager that signed him (Jean Tigana) in the same season he signed him, he later took Tigana to court for 'over-paying' for Marlet.
Subs:
Bosko Balaban (£5.8), Jean Alain Boumsong (£8), Ali Dia (free), Tomas Brolin (£3) , Marcelino (£5.8), Eric Djemba-Djemba (£6.5)
At a combined cost of over £130,000,000 you would struggle to get these players onto a dream team together.
If you have any suggestions for transfers feel free to drop me the info and if its good enough I'll consider a swap.
Coming up in the top ten collections
-ten things every man should own
-ten most over rated movies of all time
and other top ten lists you have no interest in....
