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His battles with his Manchester United counterpart are only part of Patrick Vieira’s legacy. A proper player, says Johnny Nic… Who’s this then? Patrick Vieira will be 45 on June 23. He enjoyed an 18-year career and was easily one of the finest midfielders in the world in his peak years. He completed 651 […]
Read More… from Even Roy Keane loves Patrick Vieira these days…
An unflappable presence in England and Arsenal’s goal for around 427 years, Shovelhands David Seaman receives some Johnny love… Who’s this then? David Andrew Seaman is a 57-year-old ex-goalkeeper who, for a while, was the dominant gloveman in England and right across Europe. Born in Rotherham, the 6’ 3” Yorkshireman played for six clubs: […]
Read More… from Safehands Seaman, England’s No.1 and the bloke next door
You have to be bloody good to win the Ballon d’Or as a defender. Canny Fabio is one of only three to pull it off… Who’s this then? Fabio Cannavaro is now 47. An Italian 5’ 9″ centre-back who was born in Naples, he played for six clubs in his 695-match club career. Widely […]
Read More… from All hail Fabio Cannavaro, too short and handsome to be THAT good
Johnny Nic raves about one of the century’s most-deadly hitmen, Samuel Eto’o. Someone here has to… Who’s this then? Samuel Eto’o Fils is a 40-year-old former striker, He was born in Douala, Cameroon and played for a grand total of 13 different clubs but perhaps most famously for Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter Milan. He […]
Read More… from Why is Samuel Eto’o so under-appreciated on these shores?
Edwin van der Sar was serenity personified and the ideal replacement for Peter Schmeichel at Manchester United, just a few years too late. Who’s this then? Edwin van der Sar is now 50 years old and was, in his time, one of the world’s finest goalkeepers. A Dutchman born in Voorhout, he only played […]
Read More… from Edwin van der Sar might just have been the perfect keeper
Johnny Nic can’t fathom why a big club never took a punt on Kevin Phillips. But that only makes Super Kev more endearing… Who’s this then? Kevin Mark Phillips will be 48 in July and is a 5’ 7” former striker for a plethora of Premier League and Championship clubs. Unusually, he played on […]
Read More… from Super Kev: the red-hot journeyman Little to Quinny’s Large
Ruud Gullit was crucial in helping challenge perceptions at a delicate time in football. He was also just bloody lovely to watch and enjoy. Who’s this then? Ruud Gullit is now 58 years old. He was a 6ft 3ins Dutchman from Amsterdam who played in a few different positions, from sweeper to striker. Fabulously […]
Read More… from Ruud Gullit was a dreadlocked magician whose legacy grows
Marco van Basten achieved a ludicrous amount in a relatively short career. The Dutchman was a distant, exotic, orange superstar. Who’s this then? Marcel van Basten is now 56 years old and was a 6ft 3ins Dutch striker who had a relatively short, 12-season, injury-blighted career playing for just two clubs: Ajax and Milan. […]
Read More… from Van Basten would have shattered records without injuries
Robin van Persie was one of the greatest and most underrated goalscorers of his generation, albeit one with a bit of a temper. Who’s this then? Robin van Persie is still only 37 years of age. Born in Rotterdam, the six foot striker played for just four clubs: Feyenoord, Arsenal, Manchester United and Fenerbahçe. […]
Read More… from Robin van Persie was capable of brilliance and petulance
Not many footballers can honestly claim to have transformed an entire position with their playing style. Manuel Neuer was and is different. Who’s this then? Manuel Peter Neuer is a 34-year-old goalkeeper who stands 6ft 4ins tall and was born in Gelsenkirchen, in what was then West Germany. Widely regarded as one of, if […]
Read More… from Neuer: The quadopus who changed how the game was played