As part of our investigation into foreign players in English football, I have composed a countdown of the top foreign imports to have played in the Premier League. The names you all know, but the order may surprise a few;
10. Patrick Vieira
Arsenal (1996-2005) Manchester City (2010- Present)
If you were to split Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal into two phases, Patrick Vieira’s departure from the North London club in 2005 was probably the turning point. Vieira will probably be remembered as Wenger’s proudest creation, turning the youthful, unheralded defensive midfielder into the rock on which three title winning sides were based.
Rival clubs to Manchester United were a little lily-livered during the early 1990’s, and Vieira’s no nonsense approach to his game and success for his club changed this attitude and won him many plaudits. His poor disciplinary record, however, was at times a hindrance, and the folly of a move away from Highbury has been highlighted by the Frenchman’s subsequent under-achievement.
9. Mark Schwarzer
Middlesbrough (1997-2008) Fulham (2008- Present)
An underrated choice, but a worthy addition. Mark Schwarzer has been the most consistent goalkeeper in the Premier League since his arrival at Middlesbrough in 1997. Since 2008 he has been a cornerstone of Fulham’s rise to European qualification and subsequent run in the Europa League. In 2007, when still at Middlesbrough, Australian Schwarzer broke Dennis Bergkamp’s league appearance record for a foreign player at an English club.
8. Didier Drogba
Chelsea (2004- Present)
Love him or hate him, Didier Drogba is an utterly unique goal scoring force, and an embodiment of the changes in English football over the last ten years. Not just a strong target back, Drogba’s technical ability has wowed crowds up and down the country after a slow start to his career in this country.
7. Eric Cantona
Leeds United (1992) Manchester United (1992-97)
Some fans might grumble that Cantona isn’t higher on this list, but from the point of view of being a good import, Cantona’s hot headed on field behaviour and six-month suspension for kicking a Crystal Palace supporter during an FA Cup tie in 1995 lessens his overall value.
Nevertheless, the moments of theatre produced by the mercurial Frenchman will be remembered years after other players on this list have retired. Whilst many will credit Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘Golden Generation’ with the massive success the club has had over the last twenty years, it was Cantona who showed them the way.
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6. Lucas Radebe
Leeds United (1994-2005)
Lucas Radebe was a model professional, and one of the most underrated central defenders of the Premier League era. Purchased by Leeds for only £250,000 in 1994, Radebe saw everything that went on at Elland Road, from the meteoric rise to a Champions League semi-final, all the way back to relegation from the Premier League. Could have pushed a move to Manchester United at the turn of the century, but remained loyal to the club who had brought him over from his native South Africa.