Since the Premier League’s rebranding from the First Division in 1992, more than 4,000 players have played in what fans hail as arguable the toughest and the entertaining league. Some players, like former Manchester City, West Brom, and Aston Villa great Gareth Barry, featured 652 times in the Premier League to stand out in the division.
While Barry still holds the record for most Premier League appearances ever, other players have had far fewer opportunities to play in the English top flight. When it comes to recalling former Premier League players, a few of these less well-known individuals frequently manage to elude the system.
You might be surprised to learn that certain people—like one particular name here—have tasted amazing success outside of English football, but failed to make a name in the Premier League.
Premier League’s forgotten me
1. Massimo Maccarone – Middlesbrough
Massimo Maccarone, a unique addition to the long list of outstanding Middlesbrough strikers, is a name that resonates with Boro supporters. Even though Maccarone was by no means on par with players like Mark Viduka or Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, his time in England is still a fond memory for fans—and a source of frustration.
2. Bruno Cheyrou – Liverpool
Gerard Houllier, who had high respect for the midfielder and even likened him to Zinedine Zidane, recruited Bruno Cheyrou in 2002 paying Lille £4.5 million to bring him to Anfield. Sadly, despite Cheyrou displaying flashes of brilliance with five goals in 48 games over two seasons under Houllier, things didn’t quite turn out that way.
3. Dong Fangzhuo – Manchester United
Dong became the first East Asian player to sign with Manchester United in 2004. He might have been the footballer to represent China’s brave new future as the country’s trailblazing superstar. Dong Fangzhuo’s meteoric ascension held out the promise of everything, but the reality is a tale of abrupt fall and deafening disappointment.
4. Xisco – Newcastle United
Xisco joined Newcastle United on in September 2008 for a reported initial cost of £5.7 million. On September 13, he scored in the club’s 1-2 loss to Hull City at home to make his debut. In just four months, Newcastle United tried to sell Xisco, but FIFA rules saying a player could not be registered with three clubs at once did not allow a deal.
5. Lukas Jutkiewicz – Burnley
In July 2014, Jutkiewicz joined Burnley, after they were promoted to the Premier League. Although the fee was not disclosed, it was believed to be £1.5 million. In Burnley’s preseason schedule, he scored six goals in as many games, but when the regular season started, the goals vanished.
6. Lionel Scaloni – West Ham
A World Cup winner with Argentina as their coach, but a West Ham flop. On January 31, 2006, the last day of the transfer window, Scaloni joined Premier League side West Ham United on loan in an effort to improve his chances of being selected for the forthcoming World Cup. He made his league debut for the East Londoners against Sunderland on February 4. He also helped the team in reaching the FA Cup final, where they lost to Liverpool on penalties.
7. Hatem Trabelsi – Manchester City
In 2006, Trabelsi was linked with a number of English clubs before he signed for Manchester City on a free transfer on August 10. He couldn’t make his debut until one month into the season due to an injury and work permit issues, finally playing his first game as a substitute appearance against Reading.
8. Andre Bikey – Reading
On Reading’s preseason trip to Sweden in 2006, Bikey was called on for a trial by the Premier League side. Despite getting sent off in his last trial match for head-butting a player, Bikey pleased manager Steve Coppell. On August 26, 2006, Reading and Lokomotiv finally reached an agreement on a season-long loan, with the English club having the option to buy the player after the loan period.
9. Ricky van Wolfswinkel – Norwich
Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s transfer to English club Norwich City for the 2013–14 season, valued at €10 million plus up to €2 million in bonuses, was officially announced on March 22, 2013. He signed a four-year contract with the Canaries on July 1.
10. Milan Jovanovic – Liverpool
On July 8, 2010, Milan Jovanovic signed on a free transfer with Liverpool. As former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez quit in June 2010, there had been rumours that Jovanovic would break the pre-contract deal he had signed since Benitez was reportedly eager to sign the player for Inter Milan. But Jovanovic stated that he intended to stick to his word to the Reds.