Top Ten: Flash in the pan signings
Jonny Abrams
Posted on: 11 February 2010 - 14:58
Football
In the wake of last night’s impressive 2-1 win over Chelsea, Everton manager David Moyes has said that it is unlikely that American winger Landon Donovan will stay beyond his current three-month loan arrangement – a shame, as the MLS poster boy has fitted in brilliantly at Goodison Park. Sport.co.uk looks at ten other players who excelled (or otherwise) during all-too-brief stints at their clubs…
1. Andres D’Alessandro (Portsmouth) – The Argentine winger played 13 games on loan at Fratton Park in 2006. He became an instant hero with the Pompey faithful but, unfortunately for them, he decided upon Spain for his next destination. Now playing for Internacional in Brazil.
2. Mauro Zarate (Birmingham City) – Another Argentine, the striker came to Blues on loan for the second half of the 2007/08 season and lit up St Andrew’s, although he was unable to prevent the side from getting relegated. He is now at Lazio.
3. Dani (West Ham United) – Of all the flash in the pan Portuguese attackers at West Ham in the 90s – step forward also Hugo Porfirio and Paulo Futre – it was Dani, on loan from Ajax, who arguably showed the most ability during his brief stint at Upton Park. “He is so good looking I don't know whether to play him or sh*g him,” said then manager Harry Redknapp.
4. Marc Degryse (Sheffield Wednesday) – The Belgian scored 8 goals in 34 games for the Owls but stayed only for the 1995/96 season before joining PSV.
5. Mario Jardel (Bolton Wanderers) – The Brazilian forward played 7 games for the Trotters in 2003/04 but failed to score. Aged 36, Jardel has played for 16 different clubs in his career.
6. Davor Suker (Arsenal) – The Croatian striker was a known quantity on these shores after his sublime chipped goal past Peter Schmeichel in Euro 96. He joined Arsenal in 1998 and scored 8 goals in 22 games before leaving for a similarly short stint at West Ham before seeing out his playing days at 1860 Munich.
7. Marco Negri (Rangers) – The Italian striker, signed from Perugia, scored 23 goals in his first 10 league games. Yes, you read that correctly! He scored 32 in all before suffering an eye injury in a squash match which saw him only play three more games for the Glasgow giants before returning to Italy.
8. Jorge Cadete (Celtic) – The Portuguese forward scored 32 goals in 38 games for the Bhoys during the 1996/97 season and then promptly fled for Celta Vigo.
9. Roberto Mancini (Leicester City) – Manchester City’s manager played 4 games for the Foxes in 2001 but failed to score.
10. Stan Collymore – Fulham, Leicester City, Bradford City and Real Oviedo.