He has played 353 times for Arsenal, scored 61 goals from central midfield including two FA Cup winning goals. He was integral in Wales’ historic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and has overcome a career-threatening broken leg. Yet, Arsenal are deciding to let Aaron Ramsey go for free this summer, if not earlier if Juventus push through a deal.
The fans chanted his name continuously at Blackpool on Saturday, as well at the Emirates against Fulham last week, singing ‘We want you to stay!’. They may say this now, but many have never truly appreciated Ramsey’s contribution to Arsenal in 11 years at the club. Now Unai Emery is deciding he doesn’t fit into his plans.
As his days at Arsenal look to be coming to an end, here’s three of the Premier League’s most under-appreciated stars from over the years….
JOE COLE
A diminutive winger who, at Chelsea, was never the outstanding name or player who claimed the accolades. Cole joined in 2003, but it was when Jose Mourinho took charge the following year, when Cole played an integral part in Chelsea moving to the summit of English football.
He scored just three goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge, but in three seasons with Mourinho tallied 22. Scoring winners home and away against Liverpool, he was valued as a first-team regular from there on in, benefiting from a long-term injury to Arjen Robben. A League Cup and league title followed that season.
He carried that momentum into the 2005-06 season where Chelsea retained the Premier League title, a feat only Manchester United have recorded. Cole was named in the PFA Team of the Year, showing the importance of his contributions, scoring seven with four assists. His brilliant solo goal against United at Stamford Bridge clinched the title. He was however hampered by injuries over the next few seasons. But it should be remembered, he scored an instinctive flick at Old Trafford in 2010, which meant Chelsea overtook United late in the season on their way to a third league crown.
When people think of that glorious era for Chelsea, many recall Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry and Petr Cech, but don’t forget the moments of brilliance from Joe Cole.
BRAD FRIEDEL
There’s the saying that ‘a player develops like a fine wine, gets better with age’, well Brad Friedel certainly was that. He is Aston Villa’s oldest Premier League player when he was 39 years and 257 days old, playing Manchester United in 2011. In his late 30s, Friedel was a key component in Martin O’Neil’s revival of Aston Villa, as they finished 6th in successive seasons.
He is the holder of the longest run of consecutive appearances in the Premier League, 310. This doesn’t happen unless you are a quality player, which Friedel was for Blackburn, Villa and Spurs, picking up a League Cup medal in 2002 at Rovers.
His goalkeeping heroics got compared to ‘Superman’ by Gordon Strachan and he was the second Premier League keeper to score, when he turned home a free-kick for Blackburn away at Charlton in 2004. Captain America.
CARLOS TEVEZ
One of the most decorated strikers to play in the Premier League, Tevez went from a great escape with West Ham, to Champions League triumph at Manchester United, followed by a Premier League miracle with Manchester City. Yet, he’s not revered in England, partly due to swapping sides of Manchester, but his quality cannot be questioned.
His arrival into English football wasn’t ideal. Reportedly refusing to play for Corinthians, this became a running theme with Tevez, West Ham swooped in for him and Javier Mascherano in 2006. A few stipulations with third party ownerships put off other clubs, but the move was finalised, although the club was fined £5.5 million later for the legality of it, something Sheffield United will never forget. It wasn’t until Alan Curbishley replaced Alan Pardew, that Tevez blossomed at Upton Park. His first Hammers goal was in March 2007, in a Premier League classic against Spurs. Somehow, he ended up Hammer of the Year, and got the crucial winner at Old Trafford, securing the win which kept West Ham up on the final day.
Old Trafford was where he wound up next, Manchester United loaning him for two years, again problems with the transfer came about. 14 goals in his first season helped United win back-to-back league titles. His United future was then cast into doubt the following campaign, but he still delivered the goods. Coming off the bench at Wigan in April, Tevez produced an audacious to backheel to equalise before Michael Carrick’s crucial winner. United would go onto another Premier League title, he also played in United’s Champions League final victory over Chelsea.
Then, things got messy, Tevez left to be the poster boy of Manchester City. The Argentine spearheaded City’s climb to Champions League football and is one of the fastest City players to reach 50 goals for the club, in just 73 games. However, drama never faded away from the striker. A ‘mis-understanding’ occurred when Tevez didn’t come on as a sub for City away at Bayern Munich in 2011, he was made an out-cast from September to February.
Yet, when he returned, he was key to City’s historic first league title in 44 years. He assisted Samir Nasri’s winner against Chelsea in March. He’d then lift City’s title tilt with a hat-trick and ironic ‘golf-swing’ celebration in a 6-1 win at Norwich, as City gained on rivals United’s slip ups.
When he left in 2013, he wasn’t hailed as much due to Sergio Aguero’s rise to take his mantle, but Tevez was a guaranteed entertainer of the Premier League.
Have any more players who didn’t get enough credit at your club? Comment below
Sam Tonks 