Football fans can be very fickle at times forgetting all the good work a player has done for their club as soon as they move on to pastures new. But while many fans boo these players, they would undoubtedly welcome them back with open arms if they thought they could improve there side. Sport.co.uk charts the top ten players that have left fans and managers alike quoting Take That and bellowing the words ‘We want you back’.
Cristiano Ronaldo
While many English fans were glad to see the back of him, Manchester United are clearly missing the goal-scoring threat the Portuguese superstar provided, like any team in the world would. Whether you like Ronaldo or not, you can’t deny that the English game misses his tricks, skill and over the top expressions, hopefully he will return to the EPL before he calls time on his career.
Thierry Henry
With all the talk coming out of Arsenal surrounding their apparent lack of a target man and the need for a new striker, Arsenal fans would certainly welcome their all time top goal-scorer back with open arms. Although his antics for France may have lost him some respect from a neutral point of view, the Premier League would be a better place if Henry were to return, bringing the grace and flair he displayed on a regular basis before he departed for Barcelona.
David Beckham
Most football fans would love to see David Beckham back in the EPL although the chances of it happening are very slim. ‘Becks’ is a British icon who gives his all every time he steps over the white line and you have to admire him for that. With what he has achieved in his career to date, it would be great to see Beckham bow out where it all began.
Kevin Nolan
I’m sure when Newcastle were relegated last season many Bolton fans had a little smile on their face at the thought of Kevin Nolan plying his trade in the Championship. However, with Megson’s men currently struggling in the Premier League and Nolan playing out of his skin for the Toon Army, the two clubs could soon be swapping positions in the footballing ladder. Bolton could certainly do with Nolan’s grit and determination in the heart of their midfield right now.
Louis Saha
After an injury riddled spell at Manchester United, Saha has rediscovered his form at Everton in recent months, netting ten goals already this season. Although the talented Frenchmen still has injury problems, he is starting to show the talent he displayed on a regular basis for Fulham that led to his big move to Old Trafford. With Andy Johnson injured and Bobby Zamora struggling for goals, Fulham fans would take the pacy forward back in a heartbeat when his contract expires in the summer.
Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Michael Carrick
West Ham fans will be bracing themselves for a very nervous 2010, with top flight survival top of all Hammers fans wish list. I’m sure the Upton Park faithful are left wondering what might have been if they could have kept hold of some of the country’s finest talent who all now earn their keep at other EPL sides. With Cole, Carrick and Defoe in the side you would have to think that Zola’s team would be closer to the top of the table rather than the bottom.
Xabi Alonso
With their season in dismay, all Liverpool fans have been left rueing Rafa Benitez’s decision to let Xabi Alonso move on in the summer. The midfielder was a calming influence in the heart of the midfield, with his uncanny ability to spray the ball around with such elegance. The qualities that Alonso has in abundance are what Liverpool have been missing this season and Benitez would dearly love to take the Spaniard back, although he might not admit it publicly.
Ashley Cole
Although Arsenal fans might not like to admit it, Ashley Cole’s performances for Chelsea this season have been nothing short of brilliant. The left back has been in breathtaking form, even chipping in with a couple of vital goals for the Blues. While he left Arsenal in pretty bad circumstances, there is no doubt that he would walk straight into their team now. Why Arsenal fans may not be begging him to come back, deep down the majority of Gunners supporters would probably admit to wanting him back on his current form.
Kevin Davies
Although he had a pretty torrid time at Blackburn back in 1999, netting just one goal for Rovers, there will be at least one man in Lancashire wishing he would come back and that is current Blackburn manager, Sam Allardyce, The two struck up a great working relationship at Bolton and Allardyce would undoubtedly love Davies and his physical presence to lead the Rovers front line.
Portsmouth’s whole team
Blink and you might have missed it; the exodus at Portsmouth happened that quickly over the summer. With the likes of Peter Crouch, Sylvain Distin, Niko Kranjcar and Glen Johnson all departing Fratton Park, their current squad bears no resemblance to the team that lifted the FA Cup back in 2008. If any club truly deserves a few former players to return to try and lift their fortunes, it is surely Portsmouth.