None of those really made a huge, instant, game defining impact.
The closest would probably be VdS because we'd been crying out for a decent goalie for years.
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Players who instantly lifted a team upon arrival
- Thread starter sullydnl
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The closest would probably be VdS because we'd been crying out for a decent goalie for years.
Suarez - Liverpool
Didn't have an immediate impact. Certainly not to the scale of his later exploits.
When pogba first arrived, I remember his first game it was like having Ronaldo in the middle of the park, next few games we’re great aswell.
Then he met Jesse Lingard and his annoying “let’s ged this work baby”
Then he met Jesse Lingard and his annoying “let’s ged this work baby”
nothing flashy or talismanic, but Palacios was exactly what Spurs needed in january after that disastrous first part of the season under Ramos.
Van Dijk, came mid season to a inconsistent, defensive comedy side. Changed them completely to champs league finalists, and evantually winning it the next year.
he completed the LFC puzzle and solved their single biggest issue, defense. And also become one of the best defenders
he completed the LFC puzzle and solved their single biggest issue, defense. And also become one of the best defenders
Cruijff at Feyenoord... He was considered too old by Ajax at that time (who didn’t want to extend his contract). Out of spite, he went to their biggest rivals Feyenoord, and won the double with them. They hadn’t won the league for 10 seasons prior...
This thread is now Zlatan
He had a great impact at Derby County as well. Clough managed to convince him to drop down into the second division and moved him back to centre-half, where he he brought much needed leadership and experience to a young backline.
They won promotion comfortably in his first season, finishing seven points clear at the top of the second division. He was joint Football Writer's Player of the Year (still the only Derby County player ever to win it).
He was a mainstay the next couple of seasons, helping establish Derby in the top flight and even managed to play in every league game of the season for the first time in his career, in his last season at Derby. He was sold for £30k to Swindon, so Derby bought a 33 year old and sold him as a 36 year old, while making a £25k profit!
He helped lay the groundwork for Derby to win the league for the first time, the season after he left.
And that's without even getting into the fact he was the man who steadied the ship as manager after Clough's acrimonious exit and led Derby to their often overlooked second league title, a title that people seem to think Clough won.
Giannakopoulos - Bolton
Okocha gets the majority of coverage for his time at Bolton, and understandably so because he was one of the PL greatest entertainers, but I always felt Giannakopoulos was the more consistent performer throughout his stay up north out of the two signings and was usually amongst their more influential figures alongside Nolan and Campo.
Another left-field choice here would be Edgar Davids to Barcelona on loan.
Seen as surplus for requirements at Italian side Juventus,with some reports highlighting his supposed decline, he moved to Barcelona in the January 2004 transfer window ,on loan and without much fanfare, to join up with his fellow country man Frank Rijkaard, who was struggling to get the best out of this talented yet annoyingly inconsistent mismatched Barca side.
Davids made an instant impact for the Catalan side,who before arriving were languishing in the bottom half of La Liga (15th), where his form and influence in the side propelled them up the table and cemented them into a well deserved 2nd place finish.
Okocha gets the majority of coverage for his time at Bolton, and understandably so because he was one of the PL greatest entertainers, but I always felt Giannakopoulos was the more consistent performer throughout his stay up north out of the two signings and was usually amongst their more influential figures alongside Nolan and Campo.
Another left-field choice here would be Edgar Davids to Barcelona on loan.
Seen as surplus for requirements at Italian side Juventus,with some reports highlighting his supposed decline, he moved to Barcelona in the January 2004 transfer window ,on loan and without much fanfare, to join up with his fellow country man Frank Rijkaard, who was struggling to get the best out of this talented yet annoyingly inconsistent mismatched Barca side.
Davids made an instant impact for the Catalan side,who before arriving were languishing in the bottom half of La Liga (15th), where his form and influence in the side propelled them up the table and cemented them into a well deserved 2nd place finish.
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Strangely, I immediately thought of Richardson at WBA. He saved them from relegation
Fernando Torres needs a mention. He really hit the ground running in the PL and made Liverpool title contenders for as long as he had knees.
Sneijder, Eto'o and maybe Milito at Inter?
Carvalho cemented Chelsea's back four. Felt he lifted Terry as well, often covering for him.
Zola at Chelsea, back in the day
His attitude and personality just seemed to lift the entire club
Probably the last time they were somewhat likeable
His attitude and personality just seemed to lift the entire club
Probably the last time they were somewhat likeable