Scandinavian influence runs deep in Britain, with the Viking invaders of the late first millennium shaping our language, place names, law and administration and, of course, our genetics. Their influence in recent years has waned, but they’ve nevertheless helped shape our national game of football. There have been some fine players to come from Sweden, […]
Category: Premier League
The best (and worst) Dutchmen ever to play in the Premier League
There were two Dutchmen on the field for the very first weekend of the Premier League in August 1992 (scroll to the bottom to see who they were). Since then, footballers from the Netherlands have adorned the English game, featuring in many title-winning sides. Here’s my selection of the best XI to play in the […]
The best (and worst) Belgians ever to play in the Premier League
The first Belgian to play in the Premier League had the distinction of having one of the finest ever songs sung to him by fans. To the tune of Rupert the Bear, the Newcastle faithful would belt out “Philippe, Philippe Albert … everyone knows his name” when their Belgian midfielder strutted his stuff. Sadly, it’s […]
The best (and worst) Portuguese ever to play in the Premier League
Portugal has not only provided one of the great Premier League managers in ‘the special one’, Jose Mourinho, but also spawned multiple title-winners and three footballers of the year (scroll to the bottom in case you can’t name all three). Their all-time best Premier League XI would be a match for any other country. See […]
The best (and worst) Spaniards ever to play in the Premier League
Goalkeeper, David de Gea – David de Gea arrived in England to play for Man United aged only 20. When he left he was 32. A phenomenal shot-stopper, de Gea was particularly adept at saving with his feet. He was perhaps not the most commanding of his six-yard box, and merely ‘average’ with his distribution, […]
The best (and worst) Frenchmen ever to play in the Premier League
Select a best XI made up of French players in the Premier League