Joe Cole says he would "love to have a chance to put it right" at Liverpool, following his season at Lille. Meanwhile, Sochaux's Algerian midfielder Ryad Boudebouz claims that the Reds have made contact with his agent over a possible move (despite not having a manager). While the rest of the Premier League's top clubs are sniffing around top talent from the French league this summer, a list of Liverpool's previous signings from Ligue Un can only fill Kopites with dread…
Jean Michel Ferri
With France winning the World Cup in 1998 and Arsenal flourishing under the French influence of Arsene Wenger in the late 1990s, Liverpool appointed Gerard Houllier in the hope of grabbing a piece of the Gallic glory. Houllier's first signing was 30-year-old Ferri from Sochaux for £1.5m. Hardly Patrick Vieira, the midfielder's greatest contribution was allowing newspapers to print 'Ferri Cross The Mersey' headlines upon his arrival in November 1998, playing just two games for the club.
With France winning the World Cup in 1998 and Arsenal flourishing under the French influence of Arsene Wenger in the late 1990s, Liverpool appointed Gerard Houllier in the hope of grabbing a piece of the Gallic glory. Houllier's first signing was 30-year-old Ferri from Sochaux for £1.5m. Hardly Patrick Vieira, the midfielder's greatest contribution was allowing newspapers to print 'Ferri Cross The Mersey' headlines upon his arrival in November 1998, playing just two games for the club.
Bernard Diomede
In the summer of 2000, Houllier coughed up £3m for French World Cup winner Bernard Diomede. The winger had figured in three games of France's 1998 success, which was one more than he managed during three years at Anfield. In fact, he managed one less game than Liverpool won trophies during the 2000/01 treble cup-winning season.
In the summer of 2000, Houllier coughed up £3m for French World Cup winner Bernard Diomede. The winger had figured in three games of France's 1998 success, which was one more than he managed during three years at Anfield. In fact, he managed one less game than Liverpool won trophies during the 2000/01 treble cup-winning season.
Bruno Cheyrou
Three words: "The new Zidane". Three more words: "No he wasn't".
Three words: "The new Zidane". Three more words: "No he wasn't".
Salif Diao -> "With Salif, I knew after a week of training that he wasn't going to be good enough," said Houllier in his autobiography. Why did you pay Sedan £4.7m for him in 2002, then?
El Hadji Diouf -> Probably the most unpopular player in Liverpool history, Senegal international Diouf was signed off the back of some impressive 2002 World Cup performances for his national team, including a goal against France. Houllier duly coughed up £10m for a player more noted for spitting at fans during his time with the club than the six goals he scored in 80 games.
Djimi Traore
To give Traore his credit, the gangly French defender's clearance off the line in the 2005 Champions League final was a vital moment in the Reds' greatest ever match, but then he did typically concede the free-kick that led to Milan's first goal in the second minute. Traore was a trier, but after signing for £550,000 in Laval in 1999, it's fair to say he won't be challenging the likes of Yeats, Hansen and Hyypia as an all-time Anfield defensvie great.
To give Traore his credit, the gangly French defender's clearance off the line in the 2005 Champions League final was a vital moment in the Reds' greatest ever match, but then he did typically concede the free-kick that led to Milan's first goal in the second minute. Traore was a trier, but after signing for £550,000 in Laval in 1999, it's fair to say he won't be challenging the likes of Yeats, Hansen and Hyypia as an all-time Anfield defensvie great.
Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama Pongolle
This duo were voted the best two players at the 2001 U17 World Cup, which the French won, prompting Liverpool to sign them up from Le Havre, but neither lived up to early expectation. Pongolle had his moments under the management of Rafa Benitez, notably getting the ball rolling in a comeback against Olympiakos, with an assist for Harry Kewell, in the successful Champions League campaign. Le Tallec made just 17 appearances, scoring one goal, and Liverpool fans would probably struggle to remember that he was a surprise starter in the 2005 Champions League quarter-final win over Juventus at Anfield.
This duo were voted the best two players at the 2001 U17 World Cup, which the French won, prompting Liverpool to sign them up from Le Havre, but neither lived up to early expectation. Pongolle had his moments under the management of Rafa Benitez, notably getting the ball rolling in a comeback against Olympiakos, with an assist for Harry Kewell, in the successful Champions League campaign. Le Tallec made just 17 appearances, scoring one goal, and Liverpool fans would probably struggle to remember that he was a surprise starter in the 2005 Champions League quarter-final win over Juventus at Anfield.
0 comments:
Post a Comment